Global Youth Ministry Network - Asia

“What is the best material that I can use to teach my youth group?”

In one form or another, I’ve been asked this question by many youth leaders. Now the world has gotten more connected that even youth leaders in the far islands of the Pacific (just like me) can avail the latest and the best from areas where youth ministry is exploding all over the world. But perhaps the question needs to change. Like the story of the man who gets what he wants but is not satisfied, perhaps getting a really great material from somewhere else may not be that satisfying for you or your ministry.

If I would compare it to food, you’ve probably heard of this wonderful, tasty dish that unfortunately is miles away and very expensive. You may have the means to get it but who knows if it will get to you fresh? And will your family and friends love all the exotic ingredients?

But what if you could know the recipe to make a similar dish, which would be just as good, not as expensive and perfectly suited to your loved ones because it is you who knows them and prepared the meal?

So instead of looking for the best material elsewhere, the question should be, “How can I prepare the best material for my youth?” Or to use another food comparison, instead of just giving you a delicious meal let me give you instructions on how to prepare the best selection of food for your youth. Continue reading The Teaching Plan

Here are a couple of testimonies from the youth ministry strategy seminar we held in Quezon City last May and June 2011. This was with the YA youth leaders of Word of Hope-Manila.

“Pagkatapos palang ng first day talagang na-iapply agad namin yung mga natutunan gaya ng goal setting at purpose statement. Malaking tulong talaga dahil naging mas malinaw ang mga pagpa-plano at pagdi-disisyon sa grupo namin!” ~Joemar

“I now have a renewed mind on my purpose as a Christian and have a deeper reason to help the Youth Alive ministry.” ~Vavic

“Bukod sa nakatulong siya strategically for the youth ministry, mas na-rekindle yung fire sa heart ko with regards to mission.” ~Raya

For me as a trainer, the seminar was an encouragement to keep on doing what we do. Of course, more than the beauty of looking back I look forward to what is still to come–what God will do in and through the ministry of those we trained.

If you are on the path of obscurity, here are two things to note:

First, being unappreciated comes with obscurity. This could lead to feelings of unworthiness. Or it could make you focus all the more on the one who appreciates you most. God loves you. That may sound so cliché that your eyes may have just passed over those words but God does love you. Whatever you are going through right now, despite the circumstance and of your current situation, no matter what that may be, God loves you. One place to really see that is in his Word. If you’re struggling, here are two passages I have benefited from a lot: Psalms 139:1-18 & Luke 12:24-32.

Secondly, if no one tells us we are special we might believe it ourselves and do our work with mediocrity. Understand that God sees every secret deed and no good deed goes unrewarded. Not receiving any compliment for your work does not mean that your work does not have value. In fact, reading Matthew 6:1-21, where Jesus emphasizes God rewarding secret deeds, encourages me to do the best I can before someone notices! If professional athletes strive hard night and day for trophies that will one day turn to dust, what prize awaits those work hard for the Lord of the universe?

On a more personal aspect, youth ministry is really one of the most obscure of roles. The vast majority of young people do not stand out in the places where they live, in the social circles they are in, and even at times within their family.

Think about those in your youth group. Perhaps many of them struggle with the burden of being little known? And think of our calling as ministers to youth. Do not we at times struggle with how little attention is given to our role?

Is not our situation similar to a bunch of ragtag disciples following an unknown teacher 2000 years before us? If we are mindful of that we can begin to appreciate the blessing in that and the blessing it could be. And as we consider the role of obscurity in our ministry, like Jesus we should continue to act in ways that imitate his giving personal affirmation to those who struggle with obscurity. For example, I have been blessed by the shepherd’s heart of youth leaders who have written of plans to lift up the self-esteem of young people in their youth group who feel left out (there are some more ideas in the items below).

What would it be like to see our young people confident in who they are in God even without the approval of the world? I think it would be something like what is seen in Act 4:13:

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.

What impressed even those who would oppose the disciples was how unimpressive they were. And the Lord Jesus got the fame. The same hopefully may be said of us and our ministry, for whether it is in obscurity or relative fame, the Lord should be the most famous one of all.

This post and the first two on obscurity are part of the youth connection, bi-monthly articles for youth workers.

This is the second part. You can read the first part here: “The Blessing of Obscurity“

Here are further reasons to consider obscurity as a blessing:

1. Those in obscurity are quite free to pursue their ministry. Being well-known, on the other hand, can make it more difficult to pursue your main purpose.

   In Mark 1:42-45, Jesus heals a leper and tells him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, for a proof to them.”

   But he went out and began to talk freely about it, and to spread the news, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter a town, but was out in desolate places, and people were coming to him from every quarter.

2. Obscurity shows who the determined disciples are. (John 6:60-68, for example, shows a few determined disciples sticking with their leader after he became unpopular). Fame can bring in the crowds but can also attract the wrong kind of followers, creating enemies and false friends. In the ministry of Jesus he got so popular that leading men of his day made plans to put him to death (John 11:53). One time they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are true and teach the way of God truthfully…” But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why put me to the test, you hypocrites?” (Matthew 22:16-17)

3. Obscurity keeps us humble and God is with the humble: One’s pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor. Proverbs 29:23

4. Obscurity makes us mindful of God where as fame can keep us focused on ourselves. Fame can be a good thing and there are many examples of people using fame for God’s purposes. But many times fame is used by people to magnify the self more than God.

5. God uses seemingly unimportant people in very important ways. For each time I have been blessed by a gifted speaker’s message, I can also recall as many times (if not more) the life and testimony of an ordinary Christian that has impacted me deeply. God even uses young people to speak to others at a more personal level than a famous person could.

Read the last part here.

This article and the next two are part of the resources we give to youth leaders every two months. Other articles from youth workers worldwide in the resources section.

Just as I was finishing this article, a young teen’s home-made video  has been viewed more than 32 million times on the Internet. She joins a number of people whose name went from being unheard of to being recognized worldwide in relatively short time. Today, popularity has never been easier, fame never more instantaneous. A news article, a video on the Internet or television coverage of something you did can catapult you to a social success overnight.

With these developments, many young people are pouring out their energy in the quest for fame. The goal may be as grand as worldwide recognition or simply to just be popular in town or the social circle.

The youth group too is not immune to the quest for name recognition whether it be on the stage in person or through a technological presentation. I have cheered along when kids in my group would be up front to the accolades of people, who would not want their young people to shine? But lately, I’ve been reflecting that as encouraging as being cheered on could be, chasing fame may not be in the best interests of the youth ministry.

With fame comes a danger that many people, especially young teens, have a hard time recognizing or dealing with.¹

And not all youth are created for the spotlight. Many of the gifts in the Bible are not the upfront kind. ²

Now, consider Jesus’ example. Though the Lord became renowned throughout the land during his time, he avoided the spotlight as much as possible.

On one occasion “…he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.” Mark 1:34

Later, when told that everyone was looking for him, he said “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.” Mark 1:38

His brothers even took note of his behavior. Before an upcoming big event they said to him, “Leave here and go to Judea, that your disciples also may see the works you are doing. For no one works in secret if he seeks to be known openly. If you do these things, show yourself to the world.” (John 7:24) But he did not agree.

Fame may be of some worth in man’s world but in God’s realm obscurity – being considered insignificant or little known, may be of greater value still.

Read the second part here.

Notes:

1. Dr. R. Millman of the Cornell School of Medicine, after years of observation notes that isolation, paranoia, depression and rage are common to celebrities. See article.
2. This comes from the GYMN Level 1 notebook, p.29, pp34-35 also give a listing of Biblical gifts.

One of the summer’s most significant trainings for me (so far) is the one in Palawan, Philippines. That they have the most beautiful beach I have ever been to is of secondary value. I come to train leaders. It’s my ministry and joy.

Aside from teaching strategy and principles to youth leaders, GYMN also aims to train others to become teachers. Well, the Palawan training was the first for a new trainer, Otet.

Level 1

Here he is (the rightmost) attending a Level 1, I honestly didn’t notice him all that much in this training.

Level 2

And then here we were at a Level 2 (he’s somewhere in the picture). At this seminar I looked at his goals and saw that he’s doing great in his ministry and really wanted to learn more.

Trainers' Training

Last year we invited him to a GYMN trainers’ training where we challenged participants to teach the curriculum with us.

And then he was a big part of the training in Palawan.

Here I am proudly handing him his certificate.

2Ti 2:2 …and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

This past month the GYMNetwork has grown a bit, since summer brought many seminars for GYMN.

In Nepal, last April 10-12, they had a Level 2 seminar in Gorkha and then on April 17-19 there was one in Tanahun.

This coming June there’ll be a training in Kathmandu.

In the Philippines, we have had three.

We had one in Puerto Princesa City in Palawan, last March 29-31 (a Level 1 youth ministry strategy seminar attended by leaders from all over the island).

Then on April 12-15 we also taught the course to student leaders in Iligan City down in Mindanao.

And on April 25-26 we had one last training this time with youth workers in Malaybalay City also in Mindanao.

If you’ve been to any of these trainings we’d love to hear from you.