“What do you want to be when you grow up?” This is a conversation topic that we normally start discussing with children at a very young age, when naïve innocence makes any career path feel possible. As adults, this then becomes the social event query “What do you do for a living?” Culturally, we tend to define ourselves by our careers, and that is certainly a large part of who we are. However, when we as Christians consider the idea of vocation, we think about a lot more than mere jobs.
“Making a living” does not always translate to making a life. A vocation is a calling, not just to a workplace but to lives of service to Christ. It’s important to teach and regularly use this language with teens, especially as they form their identity. Understanding their calling as Baptized people of God is an essential part of remaining grounded in God’s church throughout life, including pursuing leadership.
We want to build up teens who are willing to serve in the church, and as appropriate, might consider careers in professional church work. As we seek to encourage young people in their faith journeys, the most beneficial things we can offer them are opportunities to get involved with service and leadership in the church. When done the right way, this allows youth to feel valued and deeply connected to the Body of Christ.
On Vocation
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him (Colossians 3:17).
All that we do in life should be done to the glory of God. Encouraging youth involvement in church is more than just inspiring them into full-time church work (although that’s a great thing, too). To encourage lifelong leadership, we should instruct them in what vocation means and how the Holy Spirit helps us serve the Lord. God is at work in all our labors and routines. He is present with us in all moments of the day. Martin Luther described vocations as “masks of God,” meaning that we reflect God’s love and the good news of the Gospel in all we do, whether working directly for church or not.
Vocations are not just jobs and careers. Our vocations are given by God and include our positions in the family and the office (or wherever careers take us) as well as the church. For teens, it is important for them to know they are a vital part of the congregation’s community and service, not just older adults or the pastor. Church leadership can, in fact, start at any time, because God uses all ages and stages of life to share the Gospel.
Getting Youth Involved
There are some important principles to consider as we look to encourage teens in church and service positions. One of the best ways to draw in youth is to personalize the requests. Instead of simply posting a need in the weekly announcements, identify what natural abilities and aptitudes young people already exhibit. Find ways to help that involve those inclinations and provide opportunities for youth to pursue.
Rather than forcing or telling teens what to do, ask them to choose where they might prefer to help, or let them know why you think they might excel in a particular area. It is powerful for a supportive adult in the church to tell a youth what qualities, skills, and gifts they see in them. Allow students to take ownership of their service to the church.
Keeping Youth Involved
As great as it is to have teens active in their church right now, it’s also essential to maintain their involvement and their desire to stay connected to the church throughout their lives. When working with youth, it’s important to encourage them consistently and to provide them with support in their roles. Assigning mentors, teachers, and coaches allows for training as well as relationships that foster continued interest and involvement. It also helps to provide opportunities for teens to expand opportunities to peers, and models future mentoring that can continue to teach future generations.
On a regular basis, we ought to check in with how things are going, making sure that youth are still devoted to their areas of service, and seeking ways that we might help them improve. We must also encourage teens to remember the “why” of their service. Leadership should not just be about fulfilling an obligation, but about helping the church and serving in response to Christ’s love. As students grow, we can offer other areas to serve, demonstrating that we trust in their abilities and want to nurture them as adults in every phase of life.
Remain Faithful
Vocations change over time, in life as well as in the church. There are seasons when we are students and seasons when we are teachers; times when we focus on career or times to focus on family; times to be an usher or greeter and times to lead a mission trip. It’s important to communicate these principles to youth who are serving, and to remind them that they are more than their service. This can be very important as they navigate many transitions that may not always allow time to serve how they would like.
We want to encourage warmth, grace, and passion in all that these teens (and later adults) do. Guiding students to embrace church leadership provides motivation to continue to be part of the church long-term, which ought to support them throughout their various life and career changes. As Paul encouraged Timothy, we have a blessed responsibility as youth leaders to help others find and embrace their place in congregational service and leadership.
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