REI recently launched their #Optout campaign. According to USA Today:
REI is taking direct aim at the frenzied consumerism that dominates the holidays with a message to do the exact opposite of what Black Friday demands. (Read more HERE)
Courtesy of Traveloscopy/Creative Commons License
I personally like REI, and I applaud what they are doing (Even if it’s a PR stunt), but it’s a reminder that consumerism is something to watch out for in every area of life, even youth ministry.
Teenagers will come to your youth ministry looking for something. It might be a great time, deeper relationships or just an escape from reality. As youth ministers we have to embrace this type of consumerism; however, we cannot allow teenagers to stay there. In the end we have to help them:
To help your teenagers move from consumerism to contributors:
If you want your teens to become contributors give them opportunities to serve inside and outside the church. Allow them to be a part of the team that feeds and fuels the church.
On top of that challenge them to give to the church. Tell them what happens when they give, show them what it can fund and celebrate what giving has already done.
When teenagers invest their time and treasures they will take coming to church a little more seriously. You just need to challenge them to take that step.
Disciples practice self care. They know what the church can give them and they know what they can give the church. To help your teens become growing disciples who are growing give them a spiritual toolbox.
While there are thousands of tools available find the ones that have the greatest impact for personal growth. Have your leaders share what’s impacted them and make them constantly available.
Your ministry needs to equip, empower and inspire the teens to go beyond their comfort zone. While you can have time to entertain and engage you need to make your programs about something deeper.
To take away consumerism from your programs build it on relationships. Connect the teens with adults who will speak into their lives and challenge them to go out and grow in their faith journey.
Jesus did not come for the healthy, he came for the lost. It’s a truth that your teens need to hear. They need to know why the church exists. They need to understand that it’s not about them.
Help them see the big picture by talking about reaching the lost. Give them a vision of what the church could be and commission them to be a part of it.
Teenagers coming into your church are looking for something to feed them, and that’s okay. But, if they stay in that consumeristic mindset too long they’ll grow frustrated, and even apathetic. Keep them engaged by asking them to be contributors.
[reminder] How do you battle the consumerism that sometimes comes with church world? [/reminder]