You probably think I have mistitled this newsletter message, but I intentionally want to lift up not the ministry to youth but the ministry of youth. It is no surprise that we struggle to keep our young people active and engaged in the church. It is oftentimes because we hold on to tradition and maybe even think that they do not appreciate what we hold on to; certainly there is some truth to that idea. We may, however, be surprised that our youth are not always opposed to tradition but find it hard to be “left out” of tradition and what constitutes good “Lutheran” tradition.
The ministry of our Youth in whatever form it may take is a Lutheran tradition. Reaching out to “all” people is as Lutheran as it can get. That includes worship and a strong theology of inclusion. The sign “All are Welcome” is not a new idea. Lutherans have from the beginning been called to share the good news to everybody. What can frustrate our youth is what frustrates all people. It’s a ministry that invites some and excludes others. It’s the idea that we should practice what we preach and open not just our communion table but also other areas of our ministry together in the body of Christ.
I just returned from the National Youth Gathering in New Orleans. It was awesome! It was noisy! Did I mention that it was noisy? It was NOI……SY! What was noisy? It was the sound of 16,100 youth praising God. But…it was also the sound of youth opening their minds and hearts to a way of thinking about faith. Their faith. And it was the sound of 16,100 youth becoming aware that as they are created by God to be brave, authentic, free, disruptive to evil and filled with the spirit of God to be His disciples. That is a mouthful! Is this not the tradition we are all being called to hold on to? I know it is what inspires me. I hope it inspires you also.
If… If we can open our ministry to the tradition of inclusion I know with all the faith God has given me that the future of our church is going to be awesome! You heard me, “Awesome!” We all have something to share. After each day at the gathering we met to reflect on the day’s events. I would ask the youth what most spoke to them at the gathering. They shared some very interesting
thoughts. The most provocative day was the day about being “disruptive.” Who knew that we are called to be disruptive? It seemed so far from my way of thinking until the speakers got up and talked about what they understood that to mean.
It’s not the disruption fueled by disrespect. Instead it is the disruption of speaking truth to fear, and speaking out against injustice, and holding on to love instead of violence, prejudice and racism. I was honored to be a part of the youth of ministry that has so much to offer this wonderful Lutheran church. I am humbled by their patience and hope to invite all people to work with me in this ministry of our church for our church.
Thank you, Everybody!
Pastor Jeff Holter