With Chris Zoephel | Be the Change

YAMIA is the youth and student ministries arm of the Anglican Mission in the Americas.

This is a phrase I have stolen from Gahndi.

My prayer is that EVERY youth minister in AMiA owns this phrase. We become what we are calling our students to be...

Let me burst the bubble here really quickly...We all struggle with the tendency to call our teens to things that we ourselves, if we are honest, are not modeling. We must close this gap with God's help. Whether they tell you or not, teens see right through it. Authenticity, which is the arm to reach teens in the Lord, demands it. You must practice what you preach. You must not walk to preach if your preaching is not in the walking. You must....be the change.

Be the Change->translation->be formed into the image of the Trinity...character formation...Christ likeness...

This relates in many, many ways to teens and youth ministry. Here are a few...

1) Your youth ministry is usually a reflection of your overall church ethos.
2) Are you at home in your youth ministry? Teens connect to a youth group because they feel at home more than if they like the games etc...
3) There is not a teen problem, there is a human problem. Be transformed. You can only take teens as deep as God is taking you.

Labels: Formation, Training

Involved in Youth Ministry for over 10 years, Rev Chris Zoephel has worked with junior highers, senior highers and those who act like these folks both as a paid staff member and as a volunteer in churches and para church organizations. These days most of his time is spent chasing his son around, keeping his office somewhat organized and trying to point others toward Christ. Currently Chris is on staff at Immanuel Anglican Church in Destin, FL as the Pastor of Discipleship (which includes being a youth pastor). Chris also serves as Director of YAMIA for the Anglican Mission in the Americas.