I came across this while looking at resources online regarding youth ministry:

“Youth ministry is best lived out in a relational model, where youth ministry staff persons and other mentors build relationships with youth that point to Jesus Christ.  Youth need caring adults who will journey with them and guide them in following Jesus.  For relational ministry to be most effective, longevity in relationship is critical. “

In the above statement, let’s replace the phrases “youth ministry staff persons” and “caring adults” with the word “parents”.

“Youth ministry is best lived out in a relational model, where parents and other mentors build relationships with youth that point to Jesus Christ.  Youth need parents who will journey with them and guide them in following Jesus.  For relational ministry to be most effective, longevity in relationship is critical.”

That’s much better (and more biblical).  Now I can see where my role in all of this is — I fit into the “other mentors”.  Can we admit that youth ministry is a product of years and years of poor Christian parenting?  This verse gives me, the “youth ministry staff person” peace:

“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” — Deuteronomy 6:4-9

I take my role as a mentor to the youth of my church seriously, but in the end I realize that they are not my children and the ultimate responsibility of discipling them rests on their parents.  Maybe we should have a Parent Ministry…