This week I was speaking with my friend, Roger Glidewell. Roger made a comment about youth ministry that I haven’t been able to get off my mind. He said, “Youth ministry shouldn’t be ministry for youth as much as ministry by youth.”

Teenagers have some unique needs. Because adolescents is such an important time in life, having ministry that addresses those life issues seems essential. I suppose a ministry that is for youth teaches them the Bible, entertains them with fun activities, and gives them a place to connect with each other. None of that is bad.

But is that enough? I think the Bible has bigger things to say about youth ministry. Paul told Timothy not to let anyone look down on him because of his youth, but to be an example in life and ministry. What if that was true for our students? What if youth ministry was something they did more than something they received?

Youth Ministry that is “by youth” might look like this:

• Instead of listening to adults share the Bible, our students would be leading Bible study. Students might lead part of the Bible study at church each week. They might meet together at school to study the Bible on their own.
• Students would be on mission together. We need to help students to discover their gifts and then put those gifts to work. What if our students began implementing ministry without us? Would that be scary or exciting?
• Students would be encouraging their peers. Friendships are important to students. But no one knows better than a student how much loneliness hurts. What if our students made it their mission to be friends with the lonely people around them?
• Students would be sharing their faith. It is not the youth leader’s job to make Christ known at the middle school. That is a job that God has called middle school students to. What would it look like if they took that calling seriously?

I think Roger is right. We need to begin to give up our role as ministers to youth and become ministers with youth. We need to allow them to have leadership in their youth ministry. Our youth ministries need to be ministries developed and implemented by youth, not just ministries provided for youth.