Establishing a Recruiting Vision for Youth Ministry

Hello again, my name is Steve Elzinga. I hope you’ve enjoyed the first two lectures and that you’re not only thinking about what you’re learning but also beginning to put it into practice.

A vision is especially important if you want to start a ministry. This verse has probably been used—perhaps overused—but it remains powerful:

📖 Acts 26:19 (NIV)
"So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven."

This is Paul speaking to King Agrippa, sharing his testimony. Paul had been against Christianity until Jesus met him on the road to Damascus and gave him a vision that would guide him for the rest of his life.

The Nature of a God-Given Vision

  • Paul’s vision came from God.
  • It was uniquely designed for Paul’s life, experiences, and gifts.
  • It was not self-initiated—it was a divine calling.

As you begin thinking about youth ministry, the question is: What exactly is God calling you to do?

👉 You have unique gifts and abilities. How does God want you to use them?

If you’re starting a ministry, especially one that requires the help of others, you need a clear vision—otherwise, no one will follow.

Why Is Vision Important?

  • You need leaders to help you.
  • You need youth to attend the ministry.
  • People will only follow you if they know where you're going.

👉 People follow those they trust, understand, and believe in.

So, when thinking about youth ministry, you need to articulate and communicate your vision—to both potential leaders and the youth you want to serve.

Key Components of a Vision for Youth Ministry

1. Faith Formation

📖 2 Peter 3:18 (NIV)
"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever! Amen."

Faith formation is the foundation of discipleship.

  • How do you help young people get to know God?
  • How do you teach them to trust God?
  • How do you inspire them to have a personal walk with God?

A walk with God includes:
✅ Listening to God through His Word.
✅ Talking to God through prayer.
✅ Sharing their faith with others.

As a youth minister, your vision must include a plan to instill these disciplines in young people.

2. Mentorship

📖 Philippians 3:17 (NIV)
"Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do."

Discipleship is more than teaching—it’s modeling.

📖 Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV)
"Go and make disciples of all nations... teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you."

  • Teaching is one thing, but teaching to obey requires mentorship.
  • How will you model discipleship in your youth ministry?

Recruiting leaders:

  • "I see how you live your life."
  • "I see your marriage, your faith, and how you lead your family."
  • "You would be a great model for young people!"

3. Teaching

Teaching involves:
✅ Bible instruction
✅ Helping youth understand society and the challenges they will face

If you have the gift of teaching, great! If not, you will need to recruit leaders who do.

Example recruiting message:

  • "Bob, I need your help in the youth group because I see you as a great teacher."

4. Gift Development

📖 Romans 12:6-8 (NIV)
"We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us... let us use them."

One of your main goals should be to help youth discover the gifts God has given them.

  • Many young people feel insecure and don’t believe they have special talents.
  • In today’s social media culture, kids are constantly looking for validation.
  • They fear failure—but failure is often the path to discovering gifts.

👉 Create an environment where failure is part of growth!

  • Celebrate trying new things—even if it doesn’t go perfectly.
  • Encourage persistence and exploration of talents.

5. Preparing for Adulthood

📖 Proverbs 22:6 (NIV)
"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it."

Youth are in transition—moving from dependence on parents to independence.

  • Youth ministry should prepare them for adulthood.
  • This is NOT just babysitting.
  • Your vision should include practical life preparation.

👉 Parents play a role, but they need help.

Biblical community includes mentors, extended families, and tribes—a structure that supports young people in their development.

6. Grounding Youth in a Biblical Worldview

📖 Romans 12:2 (NIV)
"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."

Young people naturally conform to culture—like a person jumping into a river and being carried downstream.

  • Today’s culture is more hostile to Christianity than ever.
  • Without intentional grounding in a biblical worldview, youth will drift away from their faith.

👉 Your vision should include equipping youth to stand firm in their faith.

7. Creating Christian Community

📖 Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV)
"Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together... but encouraging one another."

  • Christian community should be a place of both challenge and encouragement.
  • It should not just be competitive—but supportive.

8. Service & Missions

📖 Philippians 2:4 (NIV)
"Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others."

  • Service takes the focus off oneself.
  • True security comes when youth realize they can make a difference in others’ lives.

📖 Matthew 28:19 (NIV)
"Go and make disciples of all nations..."

  • Missions trips are powerful experiences.
  • Youth discover their potential when they step outside their comfort zone.

Using This Vision to Recruit Leaders

Once you develop your vision, what do you do with it?

1️⃣ Look for potential leaders with different gifts.
2️⃣ Share the vision with as many people as possible.
3️⃣ Do not pre-judge who might say "yes" or "no."
4️⃣ Hand out a one-page vision statement.

👉 Example approach:

  • "Hey, I’m thinking about starting a youth ministry."
  • "Here’s why, and here’s what I’m looking for."
  • "Read this and see if God might be calling you to help."

📌 If you give this to 30 people, you only need three to say yes—and you can start.

Final Encouragement: It's God’s Ministry, Not Yours

  • You’re not starting YOUR ministry—you’re starting GOD’S ministry.
  • If it succeeds, it’s because of God.
  • If it doesn’t take off, that’s God’s timing, not your failure.

So step out in faith, recruit leaders, and start building your vision

Last modified: Thursday, February 13, 2025, 5:16 AM