Ce ee Got your attention yet? What I mean is Fdon't believe in the way discipleship is communicated and practiced with most youth groups today | disagree withthe popular practice of involving young people nan intense regimen of Bible study, prayer, worship leadership, evangelism and accountabil- ty where young people are challenged to "take the campus for Christ.” “be radical forJesus,” and give 10%” nowt know: How could any Bible believing Cheistian not believe ina youth ministry that encourages young people tobe “on fire for Jesus?” Well, ofcourse Pm in favor of young people knossing Jesus. What Fm notin favor ofis young people doing Jess ‘cause what most youth oriented disc pleship programs are about is doing reading the Bible, praying, worshipping, attending, leading, and evangelizing with no mention ofatmacy, waiting listening, noticing, and paying attention ‘Youth:orieted discipleship programs have reduced disciples to cheesleaders and political organizes Discipleship has been turned into measurable, external activity instead of an immeasurable internal lack of activity. Spending time evangelizing bas replaced spending ine with Jesus, nd sharing our faith with others has replaced growing in our faith with Jesus. Burthere is another, more serious problem Young people are-well_ young, which means they ate immature, confused hy I don't believe in discipleship. ‘their hormones, inexperienced, naive and idealistic, None of these qualities are “bad,” in fact, they are wonderfal gifts of ‘youth that are needed in the chureh, but they are not neutral. Simply put, dis pleship isa lifelong process, not a youth activity Remember when you were a little child and you dressed up i ents’ clothes? Such anties were cute, but clearly the lothes didn’t fit. Young people are being asked to dress up like disciples, but the clothes don't Bi How could they? The Bible was vwritten by adults, men who'd lived long lives, men who'd suffered greatly for their faith and the conclusions they've reached have been squeezed out of pain ‘and heartbreak and failure. We impose ‘our adult views of diseipleship on young people who couldn't possibly understand what i all mes ‘They haven't lived long enough, But in aculture where youth is worshipped and idolized by adults, where young people are called young adults, where ‘young people are portrayed in the media your par- as wise, untainted gurus ofinsight, i’ ‘no wonder we convince young people that they're the hope of the world, Funny-t thought Jesus was the hope ofthe world. ‘Modern youth ministry has turned discipleship into principles rather than process, activity rather than inactivity. Discipleship has become a commitment that can be measured, instead of a rela- tionship that eannot be measured Discipleship has hecome a short-term program instead of lifetime process “The church has decided to hurry young people into short-term results instead oftaking the time to help them become intimate with the lon Jesus. Jesus program of discipleship was simple: hang out with the disciples let them see you at your best and worst: spend lots of time alone: teach truths ‘none of your disciples can grasp atthe ‘moment; avoid crowds: go slowly: spend hours in solitude; don't worry about ‘opposition: ignore criticism: and don't expect immediate results. Jesus knew hurried disciples become cexisciples. Modern youth ministry needs to understand our mission: planting, watering and waiting. in other ‘words, unhurried discipleship Jesus knew, and so should we, that discipleship lass a lifetime, not only in youth group. May God help all ofus to have ‘ministries that hein discipleship. Owner and cofounder of Youth Specialties, MIKE YACONELL i ‘popular author and speaker. His lateat book ic Dangerous Wonder: The Adventare of Childike Fait NasPees) Heal pastorsa stall chusehia YOUTHWORKER JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2001