My Philosophy and Approach to Youth Ministry
0:00 - 1:06: My philosophy for youth ministry is that the spiritual growth of a young person is a collective effort, not just the responsibility of one person. I firmly believe it takes a "church family" to help a young person grow. Since I've been here, my primary goal has been to provide clarity for you, the parents, about what your kids are learning. I want you to know me, have easy access to me, and know exactly what's happening in our ministry.
I take the trust you place in me on Wednesday nights very seriously. To ensure you're always in the loop, I make our sermon content and breakout questions from small groups available on Spotify and our website. This is a resource for you to know what's being taught and to equip you for important conversations at home.
Questions & Answers
1:06 - 3:07: Transparency and Resources: A parent asked why our sermons are posted online. I explained that while it's there for the kids to review if they want, the main purpose is for parents to be able to know what their kids are learning. I want you to know what's happening so you can be a part of those conversations with them. I shared an example of a parent who listens to the sermons and talks about them with her child, which is exactly what I hope for.
6:56 - 8:31: Upcoming Sermon Series: Another parent asked about our future sermon plans since our current series is ending. I am a planner, so I explained that I always have a series mapped out. Our next one will be about friendships, followed by a study of the Book of Ruth.
8:32 - 10:19: Parental Involvement and Needs: A parent asked about volunteer opportunities and what our greatest need is. I told them that our most urgent need is for more youth leaders. I believe many kids lack "spiritual fathers and mothers" in their lives—trusted adults they can turn to when they need help. Youth leaders fill that gap and provide a safe space for them to talk.
10:20 - 12:44: Handling Difficult Topics: A parent asked how we handle sensitive topics like gender or relationships. I explained that there is a line we follow. We will teach what the Bible says about marriage and gender, but for other sensitive topics, we handle them with discernment. If a student shares something with a leader that is harmful or dangerous, we will always bring you into the conversation because we are partners in this.
12:45 - 16:30: Cultivating an Inclusive Environment: A parent asked how we ensure new kids feel welcome. I explained that it's a "culture shift" driven by our youth leaders. The more leaders we have, the more we can personally connect with new students and encourage our regular kids to include them. A youth leader named Jessica shared a story about almost running into a new kid because she was so focused on interacting with everyone.
16:31 - 19:25: Final Remarks: I concluded the evening by expressing my sincere gratitude for your trust. I don't take it for granted and I'm so thankful that you're willing to invest your time and faith in me and our ministry. The heart of everything we do is relationship. I want to know you, your kids, and for all of us to be connected and support one another as a family.