Brian Hull and Patrick Mays: Youth Ministry as Mission

Youth Ministry as Mission

Kregel, 2022

By Brian Hull and Patrick Mays

WHO: Brian Mull, associate professor of youth ministry at Asbury University, and Patrick Mays, professor of Christian ministry and campus pastor at LeTourneau University. 

THEY SAY: “We believe that good youth leaders—youth leaders who care—learn about the culture of the people they care about. This is mission work.”

THE BIG IDEA: An introduction to missiology, missions practice and missionary witness tailored especially to a youth ministry context.   

THE PROGRESSION: In 14 chapters the authors explore how ministering to youth is like being a cross-cultural missionary. They explore issues such as understanding the relationship of the incarnation to ministering in youth culture, teaching for witness in a multi-religious context and translating stories as preparation for witnessing.

“Youth leaders desire that what young people learn moves from their heads to their hearts—from banked beliefs to actual beliefs.”

How Much Tech Do You Actually Need?

Because you cannot do this alone, you are going to have to trust the right individuals who know more about tech than you do. Your calling is to shepherd. Do that.

Gene Appel: Do Less Ministry; Reach More People

None of the programs at our church were bad in and of themselves. The volume of it just prevented us from being focused on building relationships with those who are far from God. So, we had to do less ministry to reach more people. It sounds funny, but people had to be trained in how to do life with nonbelievers or people spiritually disinterested.

When Familiar Becomes Careless

God wants to be in a relationship with his people that’s not marked by fear but love. Not apprehension, but an appreciation of his great grace and compassion.