February 12, 2010
Letters to the Editor
Reader responds to column by director of youth and young adult ministry
This letter is responding to “The Risk of Youth Ministry” article that ran on Jan. 29.
What on earth are you talking about? “Most parents want good kids and they think . . . youth ministry will keep their children from getting drunk, having sex or doing drug Well here’s the bad news. That’s not what youth ministry is about.” Then what is it about? God’s teachings are about this, aren’t they?
Who were you when you were a youth? Movie nights, sports nights and pizza get kids and their friends there. Once there then the youth minister can start the job to teach them. How can they be taught if they aren’t even there? If you are settling to reach one or two instead of reaching out to the all kids, then shame on you. These nights let them be around kids that hopefully are learning the same morals and values. And hopefully they will all then choose not to get drunk, have sex before marriage or do drugs. And yes, also learn a deeper faith without them thinking the youth group is some kind of “Jesus freak” night.
Obviously you currently don’t have any teenagers or else you would realize all the pressures that parents and their kids go through raising and being a teen in today’s world.
I totally agree with “It is about introducing them to Jesus Christ, giving them opportunities to grow their relationship with him and preparing them to live with him for eternity.” Why can’t you make it fun to get kids there and make these years fun and memorable and teach them this great message all at once?
Popularity has nothing to do with it. If their friends aren’t there, popular or not, it will be extremely hard to get them to come. It is hard to teach to kids that aren’t present. You are saying don’t associate fun with youth ministry. Why not? You HAVE to put some type of fun element into it. And then when you get one kid to come and bring his friend perhaps you will change two lives instead of just one!
Don’t we all want what Ali’s mom wants? In my opinion a good youth minister would be one that would draw all kids in the parish, popular or not, and teach them about Jesus and to do this month after month.
Every youth has a vocation — whether it be a priest, religious life, marriage or single/celibate adult. The role of youth ministry isn’t to push upon them your will, but to encourage them to discern God’s will for their life. As should we parents. Whether they become nuns, priests or just deepen their faith, to me, that’s why I send and encourage my kids and their friends to go. And when there is no fun side to the night it makes my job a whole lot harder.
From a mother of eight with three teenagers,
Michele Elpers | Haubstadt
Letters to the editor are welcome, and may be sent to message@evdio.org or mailed the Editor, The Message, P.O. Box 4169, Evansville, IN 47724-0169. More information here...