If I could share with a Native pastor about youth ministry what would I say?

My brother asked this question yesterday on FB.  I want to take a moment to share my thoughts.

He probably already does this, but I'd say that he should first pray for the youth in his community. He should start a prayer group at the chapter house or at the trading post parking lot or at the nearest school. I think he needs to be in the community, rather than only praying at his church building or in his house. 

Next, I would suggest that he observe..."watch and pray."  Gather data: information and stories from those who are in contact with students on a regular basis.  Ask him to talk with the school administration, teachers, guidance counselor, tribal police, and tribal medical professionals (CHR if you are on the Navajo Rez). 

As he listens, he can ask questions to learn more:

• Are students basically smart, apathetic, athletic, party people, or other?
• What is the general home situation for most students? (single parents, both parents, alcoholic, abuse, etc.)
• Which activities do the largest group of students participate in or are involved in?
• What are the main issues of discussion now on the school campus?
• What are the biggest problems students face?
• What programs are available to students and who presently leads them? e.g. rec center, drug programs, etc.
• Do the students speak their native language?

Then he needs to offer to pray for those who engage the youth of the community. When he sees them around, he needs to greet them and to encourage them.

Likewise, rather than react to everything he sees, he needs to reflect on what he sees.  He needs to get more educated about what students are talking about in his community.  This may mean asking for help from the above group in the community for information.  If he can, he could ask students. But again, he needs to gather the information without judgment for now. Discernment and discipleship come later. Right now, he needs to gather facts to inform his prayer life for students.

Finally, though I know that this is far from exhaustive, I believe he must pray for an adult volunteer to work with the youth.  This ministry opportunity is not just picking someone to do it. It begins with prayer. It continues with what kind of character is needed for this adult volunteer to work with youth. It builds into a written list of expectations for this adult volunteer.  Then you add more prayer and reflection.  It culminates in preparing to ask one person to seriously consider working for the Lord according to the written expectations to impact youth for God's kingdom.

I may be wrong. But i think these are the things to share with Native pastors who want to impact generations to come who need Christ in their lives.  I like what has already been shared on the FB comments. 

How to connect with your teenager--Gaming lovers

I have one teen in my house now.  He loves sports, music, and video games.  I appreciate Walt Mueller and his posts on his blog. 

If you are working with students, then you must subscribe to his e-update and make a contribution to CPYU (Center for Parent Youth Understanding).  He gathers good information about youth ministyry and allows you to process it yourself. 

If you are working with Native Youth, then you must definitely subscribe.  The trends he highlights will hit the reservations. They may have already hit.  But for sure the native peoples in urban areas are already immersed.  So take a hour and read one or two posts most pertinent to Native Youth and to your ministry experience. 

Walt cites this article from Kara Powell and Brad M. Griffin, "Beyond 'Turn that Thing Off!' Elevating the Gaming Conversation"  Kara and Brad provide helpful insight into connecting with students rather than merely condemning students.  Discipleship is more than criticism for doing things wrong, it is constructive instruction for thinking first, before doing things. 

Their overview states:

The first step of the Deep Design invites us to consider ways that adults are now trying to engage with kids and gaming. Having understood the strengths and weaknesses of our current approaches, the second step calls us to consider new and more effective ways of engagement. In order to flesh out these new ideas, the third step profiles parents and leaders who are already a few steps ahead in living out the new paradigms. Finally, the fourth step provides a series of prompts that help us identify how we will now interact differently with the kids we care about.

So take time to care for our youth, Native youth or not.  Please engage. Love. Pray for them.  As I journey as a new parent of a teen, I appreciate the insight of others.  As the Bible says, "Where there is no guidance the people fall, But in abundance of counselors there is victory (Proverbs 14:11)."  May this help you be a better and more fully devoted follower of Jesus as a parent of teens.