Abstract
Youth ministry within an evangelical protestant epistemology has predominantly been evangelistic, with the aim of reaching and proselytising unchurched youth and youth who do not have a personal and confessed relationship with Jesus Christ. Youth ministry, however, since its inception until the contemporary context of the 21st century, has gone through many challenges and transformations. The historical challenges of the youth ministry have birthed many developments to address the ever-increasing need of the adolescent world both globally and within South Africa. Youth ministry can no longer only be interested in the spiritual condition of the youth; instead, youth ministry should be an agency in the lived realities and experiences of the youth. The aim of the article is to argue that the efficacy of youth ministry in a contemporary society depends on its function as a descriptive agency that is informed by its mission, which is primarily ministry.
Highlights
The purpose of youth ministry can be manifold
Youth ministry should be intentional in assisting the youth1 to enjoy meaningful relationships with significant adults and peers (Black 1991:82–84)
Youth ministry serves as a ‘mediation of the coming of God’ (Nel 2003a:75) for the youth to have a meaningful relationship with God (Aziz 2014:13)
Summary
The purpose of youth ministry can be manifold. Youth ministry can be ‘instrumental in the building up of the local church’ (Nel 2000:63). Youth ministry should be ‘offering a focused response of reconciliation’ to the existential questions about life sought by adolescents as they struggle through life by creating safe spaces, by interpreting and reflecting on God’s actions in their lives amidst their personal conflicts (Jacober 2011:22). In this sense, youth ministry serves as a ‘mediation of the coming of God’ (Nel 2003a:75) for the youth to have a meaningful relationship with God (Aziz 2014:13). The gospel message should never be forced or coerced without engaging the context of the young person
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