Child and Youth Ministry Casserole - Essential Ingredient 4

Child and Youth Ministry Casserole Essential Ingredient 4

So, we’ve made it to the last of the four essential ingredients! While the potatoes or pasta are my favourite part of a casserole, if that’s all there is to eat, it can be pretty drab. But, throw in some mushrooms, carrots, zucchini, tomatoes, peppers or peas and corn and things brighten up in a hurry. Not only do these other smaller ingredients add colour and nutrients, but they also give some neat textures to the dish.

There are many churches bemoaning a lack of younger generations. There is much anxiety about the fact that many in the pews are seniors and “dying off”. The faithful who have “been there, done that” for decades usually are not the most energetic or magnetic (although there are definitely exceptions). But the younger generations, when truly welcomed, can be that shot-in-the-arm that lightens and re-energizes the congregation.

All generations are important to the health of the church. Each have gifts to offer and each benefit the others, while receiving important gifts at the same time. We all should have someone’s hand reaching back to us, guiding us in our next steps, as we extend our own hand to the one coming after us. The church is one of the last places in society where multiple generations gather together with a common purpose, all participating and benefitting the whole. It’s a magical thing to see.

Children and youth can and do have the ability to make meaningful contributions to the life of the congregation right now. They can minister powerfully to others in unique ways. Just think of the joy that a baby or toddler brings as they smile when they learn something new. Youth can lead entire worship services and they often are far more techno savvy than most adults. Everyone wants to feel significant and to have a role to play and purpose for being part of something. Don’t overlook this need in the younger members of the church.

It’s important to also allow for generations to mingle together, instead of always segregating age groups. While there was a time as a child where I hated casseroles and asked for all the ingredients separated out on my plate, I’ve moved well beyond that now. It’s a great thing to see all the vegetables and pasta stirred up together, to get a variety of tastes in each bite.

I challenge you to find intentional ways of enabling this mixing together of generations. Sometimes this happens naturally in worship and fellowship times, but see how it can be extended to other aspects of congregational life. We all can become surrogate family to those around us, offering helping hands so that no one feels alone. This is where spiritual mentors come from - the opportunities to meet, listen to and learn from others in the congregation.

Four key ingredients mixed together into a casserole, with the spices and particularities of your own context. I smile as I think of the vast varieties of casseroles out there, all delicious in their own way when the four keys are mixed together in healthy proportions.

Think about the health of your own congregation in terms of child and youth ministry.

If you’re missing a key ingredient, what can you do to bring things back into balance?