February 2018

Maybe this seems obvious and simple, but I’m not referring to any ordinary love here. I’m suggesting a passion-filled love for God that is evident and leaks into the lives of those around you—a genuine love for God that is so strong that students see, sense, and experience him whenever they are around you.

It’s not about your perfection. It’s about presence—God’s presence in your life. In order for the foundation of your youth ministry to be strong, it must be built on the leaders’ spiritual passion and love for God. at means you; you play a significant part in the health of that foundation.

When you’re intimately connected to God regularly, that connection will become apparent in your actions, body language, attitudes, and genuine concern for people. Students are intelligent; they can discern between someone who has a textbook knowledge of God’s love and someone who has an ongoing, daily personal experience with God.

A stable, long-lasting ministry requires leaders who put their spiritual development before their ministry development. is idea isn’t new. Jesus clearly explained the importance of loving God: “ ‘Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?’ Jesus replied: ‘ “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” is is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: “Love your neighbor as yourself ” ’ ” (Matthew 22:36-39).

Note the distinction between these two commandments. Loving the Lord your God is the greatest, and loving others as yourself is the second greatest. Reversing this order can have devastating effects on your spiritual life. Serving in ministry and loving others can even become an excuse for not falling more deeply in love with God.

Failure to see the difference between loving God (focusing on him) and loving others (doing ministry) can result in a ministry-focused life rather than a God-focused life. Please, slow down and reread that last sentence. Does the distinction make sense to you? Your service in youth ministry should never come at the expense of your personal passion and depth for God.

Many volunteers start off with a passion for God and a genuine love for students but then allow the busyness and the pace of the ministry to rob them of their spiritual depth. If you work hard to do great ministry to teenagers instead of nurturing your love for God, you’ll end up in the wrong place. ere’s nothing wrong with hard work in ministry; it’s probably motivated by a genuine concern. However, it’s nowhere near as important as genuinely wanting to follow Jesus, love him, and reveal that love by loving others.