As a church we are all talking about priorities. In youth ministry we have two priorities that focus everything we do: building disciples and relationships. Today I want to talk about the second of these and why it such a focus for us. We seek to involve our youth in uplifting, life-giving relationships with peers, adults, the church and the community.
Within the youth ministry community, relational ministry has gotten a bad name in some circles. Some said that the relationships took center stage and distracted people from focusing on God. In many cases this was true. Many youth programs used relationships as the stepping stone towards delivering their faith message. Too often they would never get to the faith part as they just kept trying to better the relationships.
But I think relationships ARE the ministry. Matthew 18:20 tells us “For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” Think of that. Whenever we are with others God is present. We do not use relationships to get to the point of doin ministry. Ministry is within the relationships. Whether it is through teaching or support or empowerment, God is already there.
We need to be living out each relationship within our lives with an understanding that God is already present. When we live for God, every moment of every relationship is a God moment. Others will see how God has touched our lives and be instructed, supported and inspired.
From the beginning of the Bible, it is clear that God desires us to be in constant relationship with each other (Genesis 2:18). God gave Israel the Commandments so they would know how to live in relationship with Him and each other. Then, because we screwed it up so much, He sent His Son to rectify our relationship forever.
Relationships are important. Are they a priority in YOUR life?
Within the youth ministry community, relational ministry has gotten a bad name in some circles. Some said that the relationships took center stage and distracted people from focusing on God. In many cases this was true. Many youth programs used relationships as the stepping stone towards delivering their faith message. Too often they would never get to the faith part as they just kept trying to better the relationships.
But I think relationships ARE the ministry. Matthew 18:20 tells us “For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” Think of that. Whenever we are with others God is present. We do not use relationships to get to the point of doin ministry. Ministry is within the relationships. Whether it is through teaching or support or empowerment, God is already there.
We need to be living out each relationship within our lives with an understanding that God is already present. When we live for God, every moment of every relationship is a God moment. Others will see how God has touched our lives and be instructed, supported and inspired.
From the beginning of the Bible, it is clear that God desires us to be in constant relationship with each other (Genesis 2:18). God gave Israel the Commandments so they would know how to live in relationship with Him and each other. Then, because we screwed it up so much, He sent His Son to rectify our relationship forever.
Relationships are important. Are they a priority in YOUR life?