Lay People & Finances

Inspiring Involvement and Financial Support

The third article in a series on the six systemic issues of youth ministry.
By: Ron Luce

Power-packed youth ministry takes more than one burned-out leader.

What would happen if we sent our soldiers to Iraq without bullets, money, armor, or support, and we cut them off from their families and didn’t even given them any intelligence information? Instead, all we do is give them a mission: Go hunt down terrorists, start a new government, protect innocent civilians, and win the war.

Do you think they could do it?

Of course not! They would just be sitting ducks for any enemy soldier, ineffective and vulnerable. They would not be able to win battles or protect civilians. Most importantly, they would have no chance at changing the country by stopping terrorists and bringing freedom.

This situation would be bleak and unrealistic at best. However, this is an accurate illustration of the state of many youth ministries today. We appoint youth leaders and tell them, “Go win this generation! We can’t give you any sound equipment, a youth room, money, or volunteer help… But we believe in you! You can do it!”

If we are going to make a real difference in the lives of our young people, we must put our time and money where our mouth is. In this article, we explore the third and fourth systemic issues of youth ministry: disengaged lay people and meager finances.

Systemic Issue #3: Lay People Disengaged

Think about a few of the businesses in your area and the office you work in. On average, how many people work for each company? Now, think about what would happen if everyone except the owner quit. He would definitely be in a lot of trouble! Work would pile up, and if he didn’t get any help, the business would eventually go under. One person cannot do it alone!

We all agree that most businesses will not work if only one person is trying to do it all alone. Then why is it so easy for us to assume that the youth pastor can handle the whole youth group on his or her own? With no help or support, we are setting up these committed individuals for failure.

It’s time to get the entire church involved in the success of your youth ministry! It is no longer about one leader being “the man” and pulling it all together alone. Everyone must be engaged.

Systemic Issue #4: Meager Finances

With so few people engaged in most churches’ youth groups, it is no wonder that they don’t have any money. Sometimes, it seems as though the youth are the lowest priority in the church. With little space available, some groups are left with nothing more than a mop closet to meet in!

Meager finances means meager ministry, especially when it comes to teens. With so many clever marketing campaigns and entertaining TV shows fighting for teens’ attention, it is hard to get a word in edge-wise. God changes people’s hearts, and He can do that in spite of anything we do. However, He has given us many incredible tools that we can use to reach young people. It’s time we start using them--but they take money.

Involving lay people in youth ministry and raising the funds needed to be effective is a difficult process. An effective tool that many have used to generate support is the book, BattleCry for a Generation. It outlines in detail the crisis facing America’s youth and reveals what you must do to make a difference. It will challenge everyone who reads it to get involved, both with their time and their money.

Get your copy today, and also consider getting one for your senior pastor, key church leaders, parents, and other influential adults in your church. This book has been used by many as a catalyst to build powerful youth ministries and is available in Christian books stores and online.

You are not in it alone! Youth ministries across the country struggle in the areas of involvement and financial support. But they are beginning to see things change, and you will, too. As you continue to pray for the young people in your sphere of influence, trust that God will also provide all that it takes to reach them (Matthew 6:33), including the people and money you need.


The Systemic Issues of Youth Ministry series:
Part 1: Building Youth Ministries that Change Lives
Part 2: Engaging Pastors and Parents in the Fight
Part 3: Inspiring Involvement and Financial Support
Part 4: Equipping Leaders with the Right Message


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Read youth culture news, youth ministry articles, and join the fight for America’s young people at http://www.battlecry.com