Forever Marked by the Journey

I was sitting on my couch at church recently, doing a bit of mentoring with a youth leader from my church, Ben.  I asked Ben how things were going for him in our youth ministry.  You know - how was he feeling, his passion and energy levels, his desire to be involved, that sort of thing.  Ben said that he wasn't really in the zone.  He said, "I am finding it pretty hard to be excited about it at the moment."  After hearing his response we started to dig a little deeper to see what was heppining here.  After probing and examining, clarifying and focusing, we realised that he was somewhat disconnected from the discipleship journey.

Let me explain a little, Ben has a few students in his small group who he takes care of.  But recently it has been tough.  Some students have stopped coming regularly, some have fallen away a little, and others are more interested in other things like starting fires, hunting, and other boy stuff - any mums experiencing a case of undiagnosed teen cave man syndrome?

Anyway I'll get back on the trail.  Here is Ben, who right at the moment isn't actively discipling his students anywhere near the degree that he wants to.  So beacuase he is disconnected from the discipleship journey he has little passion and is fining little satisfaction and enjoyment from being involved in youth ministry.

I believe it is all about remaining rooted in the discipleship journey.  If we stop making disciples, we start to lose focus, energy and passion, and just go through the motions, wondering if what we do actually makes a difference!  And this applies whether you are a parent, a grandparent, a teacher, an uncle, an older brother or sister, a netball coach or whatever.  All of us can be and should be engaged in discipling those younger in the faith than we are.

A bunch of us youth leaders were chatting last year about discipleship and one of the guys, Steve Meharg from Southpine (a youth pastor of 5+ years experience) said this: "For 5 years an older guy from my church met with me every week and just discipled me.  We read the bible together; he explained it, we prayed together, and he spoke into my life.  He basically taught me how to be a Christian and a man.  If it wasn't for him I would not be who I am today and I definitely wouldn't be in ministry today."

Although it was only 6 months or so ago that Steve said that, it will forever remain imprinted on my mind, and more profoundly etched on my heart.  I have been forever marked by the life changing experience of being part of the discipleship journey.  Seriously, what else could you do with your life that would have the same lasting impact?  Whoever you are remain connected to the discipleship journey!

"Go . . . make disciples" - Jesus

Bless ya,

Pastor Mark Westhuyzen
QB Youth Ministry Steering Group Team Leader