Passing on the faith to the next generation:
a VISION FOR YOUTH MINISTRY AT cREEKSIDE

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 3 John 4

The Apostle John’s words to his spiritual children resonate in the heart of every Christian parent. We long for our children to know Jesus, to grow in Jesus, and ultimately to go out into life with Jesus to make more disciples of Jesus (Psalm 127:5). In light of this, our vision for youth ministry at Creekside is simple; we want  to come alongside you – Creekside’s parents – and do all we can to ensure that your children follow Jesus for a lifetime. How can we make this outcome more likely? We believe it is by pursuing the following five ministry priorities (in this order). We have arrived at these five based on careful study of Scripture, examination of data, and over 30 years of trial and error.  

Priority #1: Equipping parents to disciple their children

According to Scripture, discipleship is the key, and parenting  and discipleship are closely related (see 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12, compare with Deuteronomy 6:1-6). This means that parents are the primary disciple-makers of their children, and that their primary responsibility is discipleship (Ephesians 6:1-4). The data indicate that if parents are faithful to carry out this task, their children are far more likely follow Jesus into adulthood, regardless of whether they were involved in a youth ministry. As the demographer Christian Smith has noted, “when it comes to religion, parents get what they are.” There is no variable more critical than parents in a child’s spiritual development. In light of this, we believe that the most important way we minister to youth is by equipping their parents to disciple their children, since they have vastly more hours to live life together with their kids, discipling them to follow Jesus, than do pastors, youth leaders, teachers, or anyone else. 

Priority #2: Providing discipleship relationships for middle and high school students

While parents are the primary disciplers of their children, they are not the only disciplers of their children. One generation must pass on the faith to the next (Pssalm 78; see 1Timothy 2:2). This occurs as older believers train younger believers (Titus 2:1-7; 1 Timothy 5:1-2). In one sense, then, the entire church must be involved in “youth ministry,” as we are called to make disciples not only of all nations, but of all  generations. In light of this, we seek to connect our students to vibrant, close, discipleship relationships with those older in the faith. And the data indicates that youth are even more likely to follow Jesus into adulthood when (including their parents) they have at least five of these relationships.  

Priority #3: Connecting students to the life of the whole church

Children are part of the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12). When youth are welcomed into the larger life of the body and given significant responsibility, they are also more likely to continue walking with Jesus into adulthood. Conversely, when the youths’ primary experience of church is age-segregated programming, they often find it difficult to transition into the local church as they enter adulthood. In light of this, we seek to integrate our children into the life of the broader church from an early age.  

Priority #4: Facilitating Peer-Friendships within the church

Our close friendships can make us or break us (see Psalm 1:1-3, Proverbs 13:20, and 1 Corinthians 15:33). Beginning in middle school, friendship becomes a more critical component of a student’s life, as children begin to spend less time with their parents and more time with friend-groups. In light of this, we want to help facilitate peer-friendships for our students, in the hope that they make friends at Creekside who will spur them to follow Jesus.  

Priority #5: Equipping students to understand and defend the Christian faith

In adolescence, youth begin to think more abstractly and independently. They don’t simply “absorb”  teaching, but actively question what they believe, and seek justifications for believing it. In light of this, we seek to equip students to better understand and defend the Christian faith, so they know not only what they believe, but also why they believe it. 

Jeff Bruce, Lead Pastor
Greg Arthur, Family Pastor
Kyle Driggers, Pastor of Discipleship
and the Elders of Creekside Community Church

If you have any questions or comments, please contact Greg Arthur.