Dave Hinkley, Director of Children and Youth Ministry at Kevin DeYoung’s University Reformed Church, shares some important advice for fellow youth pastors. In a time when youth ministry often is synonymous with daring games, activities and silliness, he reminds of the importance of focusing purely on the Word of God.
If we are not presenting to them the glory and worthiness of Christ as He is presented to us in God’s inspired Word, we are wasting everyone’s time with mere activity. We want our kids to lift their eyes and hearts to Him in worship and experience the joy and freedom of the gospel. This isn’t going to happen if we spend an hour and 50 minutes seeing how many marshmallows can possibly go into their mouths and then 10 minutes on how God wants us to be good people.