Got Developing The Next Generation

Every day we are assaulted in our world by negative images and stories that demonstrate the devastating effects of sin. Often, we are left shaking our heads wondering just how much worse it can get. However, we must never forget this: the future can be different. Evil does not have to prevail. Families are not required to crumble. Churches need not remain dead. We have the opportunity to lay our hands on the next generation and shape them in such a way that they will produce something better tomorrow.

This conviction propels us forward at Messenger College (MC). We are committed to developing world-changing Pentecostal leaders for the 21st century. This is a task that requires Spirit-empowerment and daily intentional effort. Yet we are inspired because we know we have our hands on the future.

MC is not the only place where the future is shaped. Every local church has the opportunity to place their hands on the next generation. In order to shape the future by developing the next generation, we must intentionally focus on providing the development to the whole person. At MC we understand our work as taking place within what we call the Triangle of Formation: mind, heart, and ministry.

Head
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge,” lamented the prophet (Hosea 4:6). The apostle Paul charged that renewing the mind was a key ingredient to demonstrating God’s will for human life (Romans 12:2). Jesus understood that shaping the mind was essential—the gospels are filled with His teaching regarding God, the world, salvation, relationships, holiness, and so much more. In fact, Jesus said that it would be knowing the truth that would bring freedom (John 8:32).

Shaping the Christian mind is a crucial component of the work of MC. The spirit of the age attempts to undermine ministry effectiveness by questioning the possibility of knowing truth. However, we intentionally form our curriculum to be a rigorous process that helps our students increase their knowledge about the world and God’s Word. We also work to help our students learn how to think through the issues and challenges of the day and to understand what God has to say regarding them.

The local church can also help to form godly minds in the next generation. Students are often much more knowledgeable about many issues than people might expect. Additionally, they can usually handle much more information than we give them. Do not “dumb down” teaching to the next generation. Provide plenty of opportunities in teaching sessions for them to ask questions. Address issues relevant to them. This will take time to find out what is going on in their world and develop a biblical response. Doing so will be worth it. You might also consider scheduling guest speakers to address various issues regarding faith, spirituality, and ethics. Whatever you do, recognize that the way the next generation thinks is being developed now. Engage their minds with the truth.

Heart
When Jesus delivered His Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7, it became very apparent that He was offering a way of living that went beyond knowing creeds and behavioral conformity. His statements regarding the various relationships of human life made it plain that he was interested in changing the hearts of His followers. Jesus understood that the heart of the person was the fount from which all behaviors spring. Change the heart and you have changed the whole person.

At MC we understand this to be an indispensable part of our Triangle of Formation. Our desire is to lead our students in cultivating holy souls that become the root of all their living. We accomplish this in a variety of ways including small group interactions, teaching our students how to engage individual spiritual disciplines, regular corporate times of worship, and an openness to and a hunger for dynamic encounters with the Holy Spirit. We use all of these tools to help our students grow in holiness.

It is not enough to only teach the next generation a list of doctrines and rules. Something more is needed. Take time to connect with students on an individual and group level. Lead them in their process of spiritual formation. Thankfully, there is an increasing amount of resources available for helping students develop spiritual maturity. Track them down and take advantage of them. If even a small group of next generation leaders embrace the transformative life of Christ, it can make a tremendous difference in your church and community.

Hands
Finally, we want people to be able to do what God has called them to do. Each Christian—even next generation ones—has been gifted and called for some kind of ministry. Jesus provides the best example of teaching ministry: He showed the disciples, sent the disciples, and reflected with the disciples on their experience (Luke 10:1-24).

This is the model we have adopted at MC. We offer opportunities to our students to observe and do ministry in the power of the Holy Spirit. Their classes and text materials are taught and written by experienced leaders. Additionally, each student is required to be engaged in a ministry practicum every semester. Finally, each student must complete an internship before he/she can graduate. Throughout this process, we also work with the student in interpreting and understanding his/her experiences.

Many next generation leaders are sitting idle in pews while filled with a great deal of energy and creativity. Too often, the “now generation” is afraid of the next generation’s lack of experience and knowledge. Yet, we forget that everyone must start somewhere. Engage the next generation in ministry. Draw them close and let them see what you do. Give them opportunities to do it. Provide time afterwards to walk through what they experienced. Remember, this method worked for Jesus—surely it can work for us!

To change the future, we must begin today. It is not an easy task, but we are promised the power of the Holy Spirit in the process. Focused daily intentional effort on the mind, the soul, and the ministry of next generation leaders can develop an army that will create a great future.

written by Daniel Davis, President of Messenger College

for more information on Messenger College visit www.messengercollege.edu

Reaching The Next-Generation

1. As a Senior Pastor what are some practical ways your church reaches out to kids and teenagers?
Realizing we are building for the future and not just the present, we incorporate our youth into multiple areas that contribute to the overall ministry of the church. We have them serve as helpers in both junior and senior ministries, as well as soul winning through National, District and Local programs.

It is also very important that youth outreach isn’t built around personalities such as that of the youth leader. In reaching our youth, I am learning more and more that we must involve our youth with the church and not make them, or allow them to become, a separate entity.
2. What advice would you give other pastors/churches concerning ministry to the next generation?

Don’t treat youth ministry as if it is just something that needs to be done simply “because.” Understand that youth ministries breathe life into everything! We also need to allow this generation to express themselves in ways that relate to them; however, I’m not talking about compromising the Word of God. A passionate, vibrant youth group speaks of a continued congregational life. Pastors must be willing to look beyond themselves into other youth ministries for help.

The selection of youth pastors is also one of the most important things you will do. Just because someone wants to work with youth doesn’t mean they are qualified. Some are too immature to work with youth and it becomes more about them and what they want, rather than what is best for the church and the youth.

3. What are the most effective ways/programs that your church has used to reach young people?

First and foremost is the selection of effective teachers and leaders. Not only this, programs that require discipleship and faithfulness are a necessity. These programs also need to provide hands-on experience. Block parties, etc., offer such opportunities.

4. What are some of the challenges you face as you minister to the next generation?

Staying connected! I must not let my age and a mind-set from the past cloud what is happening in the present. Our kids and teens are so far ahead of me that I know I won’t catch up. (I’m talking about technology. WOW!) Their lines of communication have given them a different view of local, national, and world-wide knowledge than what I have had. When I was young, we had one phone fastened to the wall. Now everyone in a family has a cell phone and is communicating all over the world. A few voices gave me guidance and instruction when I was young. Now voices from all over the nation are speaking into our youth; pastors today are trying to give clarity to all of that.

5. What are some of the ways your church has invested financially in ministry to the next generation?

Our church has built a youth center that is used almost exclusively for our youth. It has become their main educational site, as well as an activity center. Our church also contributes heavily toward making it possible for our youth to attend youth camps. We also help greatly with camp expenses for all the youth regardless of where they come from.

We help them raise funds for Teen Talent Expos and mission trips, etc., in the area of investing. We also expect our youth to invest in themselves by raising funds through their own efforts.

6. What is your dream/vision for the kids and students that come from your church?

First and foremost, that they have a personal relationship with God that is based on Scripture. Secondly, that we are able to develop leadership qualities in them and that ministry is in their future, in whatever capacity that may be. Also, that they will walk and live in true Christian character; not given to gossip, backbiting, or untruthfulness; that they will be examples of godliness to their generations as to what is proper and what is not in the growing field of communication, such as e-mail, texting, Facebook, Twitter, etc.

It is my prayer that we are equipping and enabling our youth to be mighty vessels of honor in serving their Lord.

7. Please give us your favorite story in the Scriptures that inspires and compels you to minister to the next generation.

My favorite story in the Scriptures has to be the story written throughout the Word of God that speaks of His great love, mercy and grace that would receive a young man raised street smart and full of anger. A young man that lived in a world of fights, alcohol and dysfunction; that faced Federal charges at 15 years of age; that was raised in 26 different homes. A young man that everyone said would amount to nothing . . . but they never figured on Jesus Christ, who said, “If any man thirst . . . .”

The grace and mercy of God reached into me and now, like Paul, I say, “I am debtor.” I must reach for and minister to the next generation. We must not fail to reach them with the same grace and mercy that reached into us.

Bishop Terry Rowland has 36 years of pastoral experience, is currently a member of the General Council, serves the Ohio District as District Bishop, and serves as Senior Pastor at Trinity Full Gosphel PCG in Zanesville, OH.

The Social Network

Are you on Facebook?

Do you “tweet”?

How many readers are checking your WordPress daily?

It seems that with the rise of social networking, we are seeing new social networking platforms pop up almost weekly. With newer companies like Instagram and Foursquare showing up on the scene, it is becoming increasingly difficult to manage the Facebook or Twitter accounts that your church might already have. Perhaps you haven’t bought into the social media parade, and you still manage your contacts face to face rather than face to book. Regardless, the world of social networking can be daunting for beginners and downright confusing for even average users. The web is exploding, apps are taking over, word-of-mouth marketing has switched gears, and one out of every seven people on the planet is plugged into a social network. It’s time we hop on the bandwagon!

As a pastor or a church leader, it is extremely important to take advantage of the social media platforms in today’s information-driven society. Accessibility is at an all-time high with the popularity of smart phones and tablets rising. Mobility is important to today’s users, and in turn, information that is mobile, is just as important. So in order to stay culturally relevant, we must adapt our form of communication. Logically, our goal is to reach as many people as possible with the gospel of Jesus Christ, so we must choose the most effective mouthpiece. Enter Social Media. Never before could you type 140 characters, press send, and have it show up on the phones and inboxes of literally millions of people.

Before we can start reaching the world with our tweets and Facebook status updates, we must first understand what it takes to effectivly communicate in the social networking arena and why it is even important to take advantage of social networking at all. Let’s start with “why.”

1. It humanizes your church’s brand.
Yes, your church has a brand whether you realize it or not. Your church’s brand can either reinforce the things you say about yourself or it can confuse people because of inconsistent messaging. When you use platforms like Facebook, Twitter, or even blogs to constantly interact with individuals in a way that reinforces what your church stands for, then you bring a new dimension to your church’s brand.

2. It is cheap.
In ministry stewardship is important. Email blasts, tweets, and event pages on Facebook can be just what you need to help pack the house for your monthly outreach events or specialty services. Facebook and Twitter offer an even greater opportunity for users to directly ask questions and gather details. All of this costs less than the price of one stamp you would use for a mail out. For departments working on a budget, this is truly an excellent option.

3. Your target audience is using it.
As a church your target audience is people and A LOT of people are using social media all day, every day. It isn’t just young or old; there are users across all age ranges, enabling churches to reach out on truly multi-generational levels.

4. Google uses it.
Google uses social networks as a part of its page rank algorithm. If you aren’t using social media to boost your website’s popularity, then your page may not show up at the top of Google’s search results when people are looking for your church.

It is also very important to gauge the amount of information we are sending out, as well as its importance. Informational integrity is key. If people feel like you are giving them information that they care about or that is important to them, then they follow you closely. If you send out tweets about how cute your puppy is, then most likely people will begin to ignore you unless they have an affinity for canines. Your social media goal as a church leader should be to unite people through information. For example, if you have a special event coming up, post it on Twitter and Facebook, then encourage others to share or Repeat Tweet will help boost your influence. You have a responsibility to your church people to give them information that is relevant to their lives. We get hit with ads, commercials, and marketing campaigns every day. We as people are professionals at ignoring information. Combat this by sending out information that people can’t live without! Why? Because if they feel like they can ignore you, they will.

Update often. Not too often, not too little. Usually once a day is enough to keep your message on people’s minds. If you do it more often than that, they may start to ignore you; less than that and they may forget you altogether. For Twitter users, using hashtags (#followedbywords) can make or break you. Hashtag only phrases that are easily recognizable or easily reused is the best policy. #Don’thashtagyourentiretweet #and #don’t #add #a #hashtag #for #every #word. Moderation is key. Think of hashtags as a keyword that people can find your post with.

Finally you don’t have to have EVERY social media platform. If you aren’t going to be able to update it daily and answer feedback from your friends or followers, don’t use it. If it’s taking everything you have just to manage your Facebook page, then perhaps it’s not time to hop on Twitter. One will do you no better than the other if you aren’t able to maintain them and keep them flowing with information. Social networking can give you the influential edge you need in your community or it can make people pass your church by altogether. #thepowerisyours.

Josh Rogers is a Graphic Designer for the PCG and a member of the editorial staff for the Pentecostal Messenger.