Research shows that a large number of decisions to follow Christ happen by age 13. So what happens to youth in the church from that point on? This column, the second of two from student writers, shows how their hearts build up with passion. As you read, consider yourself challenged to take a simple and obvious step toward directing that passion in a way you’ll appreciate. In fact, consider the advice that follows as a gift. Merry Christmas! (David Staal, Senior Editor)
Teenagers.
Not exactly the group of people that comes to mind when thinking of who’s willing to give up free time to serve others.
Let’s change that thinking. Only, though, if you need volunteers. Disclaimer: If you’re in ministry and don’t need volunteers, don’t bother reading this column. But if you do …
We’ll start with what we know. The stereotypical teen would rather update their Facebook status or text friends than getting their hands dirty volunteering. Being a teen myself, I can honestly (but not proudly) admit that this stereotype is somewhat true—but not completely. It’s also true that most high school students don’t personally advertise, post on Facebook, or text their interest in serving the elderly, stocking a food pantry, or helping in their church’s children’s ministry.
But we’re also rarely asked.
I can almost guarantee that if you were to directly ask the high school students at your church that you need volunteers for your kids’ Bible study or full time Sunday morning help, you’d be shocked with their willingness to step up to the need. The key to your success: directly asking. Not a couple lines in the weekend bulletin. Not a plea in a newsletter. Definitely not a request sent through their parents.
A personal, clear and sincere “We need you” ask.
Why will this work? Because teens don’t often hear they are needed; many times they never hear those words. Check back in history and there are many stories of young people who devoted themselves to serving after hearing that they’re needed.
Take the Virgin Mary for example. God specifically asked her to give birth to his one and only son. Think about this for a minute. Mary was an unwed 14-year old girl asked to do something very hard. Crazy hard, in fact. I highly doubt that Mary would have come up with an idea like this on her own, let alone volunteer to become pregnant. Who would?
But she did not run away when the angel of the Lord personally, clearly and sincerely, presented to her this difficult challenge. Instead she accepted. She endured nine months of hateful remarks, likely being slandered and rejected by her own friends and family. Everywhere she turned she was probably being gossiped about. Facebook would have gone crazy. Not to mention the man she was engaged to, and in love with, wasn’t sure he wanted anything to do with her. She experienced all of this pain to serve not herself but someone else, because she was asked.
True, God did the asking. But c’mon, you’re not asking you’re volunteers to do anything close to what Mary was asked to do.
Aside from the Bible, there are examples of high school age students volunteering their time for others all around us, although many times unseen and definitely less spectacular than Mary. Many of my peers actually go out of their way to serve others and serve God. For example, a group of teens I know (me included) get together on Saturday once a month and spend an afternoon at a nursing home playing bingo and bowling. Personally I always enjoy interacting with these elderly people (especially the grumpy ones!), but instead of thinking of all the other things I could be doing on a Saturday afternoon, I put aside my selfish and snotty thoughts and fully engage in serving someone else for a change.
Why? Because I was personally, clearly and sincerely asked. As was everyone else on our nursing home team.
Another example is the worship band at the church I attend. The band is made up of people of various ages, but most are high school-aged. They give a lot of time throughout the week practicing and then spend six hours every Sunday morning to put on a great worship service for the congregation. Even when everyone else has gone home, the team stays an extra hour to tear down and clean up. They really love music and enjoy what they do; not every act of service requires a person to do tasks they don’t enjoy, right? And at some point, each of them personally heard they were needed and were asked to join the band—definitely feeling affirmation for their talents; a rare feeling for too many teens. You can change that, though.
So let’s bring this back to children’s ministry. Every Monday evening, my sister Claire takes a few hours to serve as a leader for a youth group. Now, compared to the Virgin Mary, serving as small group leader might not sound like much. But, then again, it wasn’t an easy decision. She had to make a sacrifice and decide not to participate in her much-loved sport of basketball. But she, like most teens in any church, wants to serve God. So she found out about the need for group leaders, and the ministry director told her that she could make a difference. Can you see a common theme in all these examples?
The point I am trying to make is that the answer to the ongoing need you have for volunteers can be found in the unused resource of your church’s young people. So extend personal invitations for me and my fellow students to help. You, others in your ministry, and anyone else in leadership—just tell us how we can serve as part of your team.
Don’t let teen stereotypes prevent you from seeing the huge potential of my peers, many of whom are more than willing to stop texting, sign out of Facebook, and serve in God’s kingdom. But only if you tell us we’re needed.
And then just ask.
Lauren Wilcox, age 15, is a home-schooled freshman and attends Watermark Church. She volunteers in the children’s ministry, a youth outreach to senior citizens, and at a laundry mat ministry. She writes as a student intern reporter for a local newspaper, and possesses passion for art, fashion design, and photography.
