Source: Google Images - This is a graphic representation of how AM Pastors and leaders must make sure that they, volunteers and congrigations must be trained for mentoring and guiding adolescents.
Called To Make Disciples for Christ!
Every adolescent is a child of Christ. The Holy Spirit is in everyone of them, and works in and through each of them. We must remember this as we minister to adolescents. In our ministries, we must approach each of these gifts of God on deeper levels than the world does. Remember, we hold their attention by going deeper, and being more shallow than the superficial world around us.
HOW IS THIS AM ATTEMPTING TO REACH ADOLESCENTS
Louis Berkoff lays out three means of getting the Gospel message into the hearts and minds of our adolescents:
Louis Berkoff lays out three means of getting the Gospel message into the hearts and minds of our adolescents:
- Intellectual Assent/Notitia where our ministries attempt to embed spiritual disciplines and messages into the adolescents by appealing to the rational intellect. This is, some would say, the least effective way of getting into the hearts of people where the Spirit dwells. It is important, but not the end. For example, we learned on the Early Adolescence page that 11-14-year-olds are intuitive and process based on how things feel and fulfill. Intellectual means, then, will not be very effective.
- Emotional Assent/Assensus is a method of reaching the minds and hearts of our adolescents by emotional appeal. While emotional appeals are not negative and harmful in themselves, these appeals are most risky. Emotional appeals can often be used for manipulation. Teens are used to being manipulated and do not often trust these appeals. They are, in fact, often used to emotionally and spiritually abuse people; especially the vulnerable. For EXAMPLE, EARLY ADOLESCENTS ARE VERY INTUITIVE, SO THEY WILL KNOW IF THE EMOTIONS BEING DISPLAYED ARE REAL AND AUTHENTIC. On THE OTHER HAND, ONE WHO NEEDS EMOTIONAL CONNECTIONS MIGHT BE PULLED IN, BUT THEN FALL AWAY WHEN THE EMOTIONS CHANGE. USE WITH EXTREME CAUTION!! f
- Volitional Assent/Fiducia is the approach I would recommend be the priority for all ministries. The will has been given to us by God. When we speak of adolescents, we are speaking of people who are in the process of individuation. They are seeking Independence, autonomy and belonging. They want to know they matter, they are liked and loved for who they are and they want to know that they can and do make a difference in the world. What this means for the church is that they NEED to know that they are part of the Kingdom people of God, and are just as capable as anyone of setting a Christian example and being disciples. They are not being forced to come to church, but they are invited, nurtured, and have the right to walk away. The only way to keep adolescents interested in knowing God is by giving them the honest choice. Will you make a choice, and continue to make that choice for God?
What kind of support and staffing do we need for our AM?
Many in the fiend refer to the AM team as Social Capital, which I do not want to do. Capital refers, in my consciousness, to things, money and worldliness. Still, the concept refers to the team we build around each adolescent. The main idea is that AM is not about promising or administration. It is about building up each disciple.
There are three main components:
Show the adolescence what the Bible says about the importance of all God's adopted children.
Many in the fiend refer to the AM team as Social Capital, which I do not want to do. Capital refers, in my consciousness, to things, money and worldliness. Still, the concept refers to the team we build around each adolescent. The main idea is that AM is not about promising or administration. It is about building up each disciple.
There are three main components:
- Partner with Parents/Families- Parents, siblings and extended family, when available, are to be included in the planning implementing and evaluation of AM. We are called to community, and the church is part of healing families. This is a GREAT way to answer that call.
- Build a Social Capital Team/or AM Team - Volunteers are not involved to "help" the paid staff; they are involved to minister and model for the adolescents. They are not there for the program, but for the people. The youth is the center and the focus. Of course, we have to keep in mind that the true center and purpose of in all is Christ.
Show the adolescence what the Bible says about the importance of all God's adopted children.
Source: Google Images
Biblical Guidance
1 Corinthians 12:1-2 (CEB) "Brothers and sisters, I don't want you to be ignorant about spiritual gifts. You know that when you were Gentiles you were often misled by false gods that can't even speak."
1 Corinthians 12:4-7 (CEB) There are different spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; and there are different ministries and the same Lord; and there are different activities but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. A demonstration of the Spirit is given to each person for the common good."
Romans 12:3-6 (CEB) "Because of the grace that God gave me, I can say to each one of you: don't think of yourself more highly than you ought to think. Instead, be reasonable since God has measured out a portion of faith to each one of you. We have many parts in one body, but the parts don't all have the same function. In the same way, though there are many of us, we are one body in Christ, and individually we belong to each other. We have different gifts that are consistent with God's grace that has been given to us. If your gift is prophecy, you should prophesy in proportion to your faith."
Ephesians 4:11-13 (CEB) "He gave some apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers. His purpose was to equip God's people for the work of serving and building up the body of Christ until we all reach the unity of faith and knowledge of God's Son. God's goal is for us to become mature adults--to be fully grown, measured by the standard of the fullness of Christ."
1 Corinthians 12:1-2 (CEB) "Brothers and sisters, I don't want you to be ignorant about spiritual gifts. You know that when you were Gentiles you were often misled by false gods that can't even speak."
1 Corinthians 12:4-7 (CEB) There are different spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; and there are different ministries and the same Lord; and there are different activities but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. A demonstration of the Spirit is given to each person for the common good."
Romans 12:3-6 (CEB) "Because of the grace that God gave me, I can say to each one of you: don't think of yourself more highly than you ought to think. Instead, be reasonable since God has measured out a portion of faith to each one of you. We have many parts in one body, but the parts don't all have the same function. In the same way, though there are many of us, we are one body in Christ, and individually we belong to each other. We have different gifts that are consistent with God's grace that has been given to us. If your gift is prophecy, you should prophesy in proportion to your faith."
Ephesians 4:11-13 (CEB) "He gave some apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers. His purpose was to equip God's people for the work of serving and building up the body of Christ until we all reach the unity of faith and knowledge of God's Son. God's goal is for us to become mature adults--to be fully grown, measured by the standard of the fullness of Christ."
For a variety of material, please visit the AM Resources Page.