Why we need Theological Youth Ministry

I vividly remember pacing in the church’s youth room while talking on the phone with a ministry leader about this new ministry called Youth Pastor Theologian. As I shared about YPT’s mission to “advocate for theological renewal in youth ministry”, he asked a question that’s taken me about three years to answer. He asked, “What are you actually recommending for youth ministries to do, and how is it different from what’s already being done?” I’ve wrestled with that question through countless conversations and extensive research and reflection, and this short article represents the beginnings of my answer. 

Most recently, I’ve been prodded by Lifeway Research’s recent article highlighting GenZ’s spiritual immaturity, primarily in the area of theological development. It’s worth highlighting the report focuses on GenZ, youth who are roughly between the ages of 15-30. So, although this isn’t entirely accurate for all students in today’s youth groups, the article highlights the fruit of youth ministry’s influence on GenZ’s spiritual maturity. 

I want to reflect on the article’s description of GenZ’s spiritual maturity, then issue a call to embrace what I’m starting to refer to as Theological Youth Ministry. 

The Fruit of Youth Discipleship on GenZ’s Spiritual Maturity

The above-mentioned article by Lifeway Research repeatedly emphasizes the need for theological discipleship of GenZ. We need more theology in youth discipleship; not because we want to pack students’ heads full of information, but because we’re trying to form Christians.

Here are a few noteworthy quotes :

“Statistically speaking, they’re attending church, connecting in small groups and serving as much or more than other generations,” said Peters, who oversees Lifeway Students and Lifeway Kids. “But there is a significant gap in theological understanding, spiritual confidence and obedience to God.”

“Specifically, when given three options for eternal life, Gen Z churchgoers are the most likely to say they believe they will go to heaven because God loves all people and will not let any of them perish (25%). They are among the most likely to say they will go to heaven because they have tried their best to be a good person and live a good life (23%). And they are the least likely to believe they will go to heaven because they have confessed their sins and accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior (49%).”

“Theologically, Gen Z churchgoers are the most likely to believe Jesus was a sinner just like us (42%). They are also among the least likely to accept that there is one true God who exists in three Persons (79%), Jesus died on the cross and was physically resurrected from the dead (75%) and the Holy Spirit is at work in every believer teaching, convicting of sin and guiding (74%).”

Again, it seems the deficit is theological reflection, not application. Youth ministry has so emphasized application that it’s rarely created space for meaningful discussion of doctrine. And by prioritizing application while overlooking theological reflection, application falls short because it has shallow roots. 

GenZ is coming to church! They are active, engaged, and participating in church more frequently than other generations. Although they are present and engaged, they aren’t being discipled. 

This article leads me to think about the formerly controversial but now widely accepted value, “belong before believe”. I wonder whether this ministry philosophy has enabled theologically unmoored discipleship by plugging people into ministry roles and surrounding them with Christian community to the extent that they feel a sense of belonging without ever needing to believe. 

If youth can feel a deep sense of belonging by participating in the Christian community without professing Christ, then isn’t that a reflection about how “Christian” that community truly is? 

Instead, I think it’s time to sincerely ask the Lord for wisdom about how to welcome unbelievers while unashamedly promoting our Christian distinctives. We need to stop giving lip service to theological depth while carrying on as if it’s optional. We need theological youth ministry. 

Six Convictions of Theological Youth Ministry

Theological Youth Ministry isn’t merely “youth ministry + theology.” It’s not the same as a youth pastor who loves to use theological words and teach theology. Instead, it’s a theological vision for ministry to teenagers that’s explicitly built upon core biblical and theological convictions. 

Two key questions are behind the following convictions: “What is youth ministry?” and “What is discipleship?” Theological Youth Ministry weaves the answers to those questions together into a vision for calling teenagers into lifelong faith. I’ll confess that I’m still working this out myself, and these may change somewhat over the coming months, but I’d like to suggest the following six convictions of Theological Youth Ministry. 

1. The Bible is the Curriculum: We will teach the Bible with depth and clarity because it is the holy, inspired, and authoritative Word of God. Teenagers need to hear from Scripture more than they need my opinions, and we will do all we can to lead them into it. This applies to teaching, small groups, relational discipleship, and evangelism. (2 Tim. 3:16-17; Heb. 4:12)

2. Three Branches of Discipleship: For nearly 2000 years, Christians discipled new believers through catechesis, drawing upon three branches of spiritual formation: Christian Doctrine (head), Christian Spirituality (heart), and Christian Living (hands). We will practice biblical discipleship that reflects all three branches, rather than only prioritizing the branch that we are most naturally drawn toward. (Mt. 28:18-20; Col. 1:9-10) 

3. Volunteers are Theologians-in-Training: Youth workers are more than adult friends to students, but mentors and disciplers. We will equip our youth workers to carry out biblical discipleship among our students by viewing them as theologians-in-training, preparing them to disciple students in the three branches of discipleship, through the power of God’s Word. (2 Tim. 2:2; 1 Pet. 2:9) 

4. The Church is Our Context: Far too many teenagers grow their faith in youth group and then get uprooted when they graduate. This leads them into a spiritual homelessness, because they never learned how to become church members. We will practice youth ministry in a way that enfolds youth into the life of the church and teaches them to love their spiritual family. (Eph. 2:19; 1 Cor. 12:12-27)

5. Co-Disciple Alongside Parents: Parents are the most influential spiritual leaders in their teenager’s life, for good or ill. Therefore, we will not settle for using parents for transportation and food while calling that “partnership.” Instead, we will view ourselves as parents’ greatest advocate in the church, seek parents’ spiritual maturity, and build meaningful relationships with them to collaborate for their teenager’s spiritual growth. (Dt. 6:4-9; Eph. 6:4) 

6. The Goal is Lifelong Faith: Fulfilling the Great Commission among youth means we are making lifelong disciples. This vision for lifelong faith means we meet youth where they are, but we call them into a faith that’s big enough to grow into. We will not abandon short-term and immediate results, but neither will we minimize the importance of those ministries that look unimpressive but build lifelong habits that will fuel ongoing discipleship. Faithful discipleship is often very simple and unimpressive. (1 Cor. 10:8-15; Heb. 5:12-6:2)

This vision for Theological Youth Ministry has been brewing in my mind and heart for a while now, and this is the first time I’m publicly writing about it. This report from Lifeway Research only fuels my conviction that it’s needed. 

I’m currently working on a book which will cast a fuller vision forTheological Youth Ministry. Make sure to subscribe to the blog for updates about the book when it’s available. 

For now, here are a few recommendations for further exploration: 

• YPT Curriculum: built to help youth ministries carry out this vision 

• Podcast ep.105: Youth Ministry as Catechesis & the YPT Curriculum

• Blog: How Catechesis Can Transform Your Youth Ministry

• Book (affiliate link): Lead Them to Jesus: A Handbook for Youth Workers