This post hits very close to home for me, as I reflect on my experiences. Growing up, I was fortunate to have an exceptional Youth Pastor who provided guidance, support, and encouragement. However, it’s been disheartening to witness the stark contrast between those positive experiences and what my own sons encountered during their formative years in church and in youth groups. This situation has been a deeply emotional journey for me, evoking feelings of sadness and concern.
When we delve into the primary responsibilities of a shepherd, it's clear that they can be distilled into three fundamental directives: Protect, Search, and Rescue. These overarching themes encompass a range of supportive actions and duties. To protect means to create a safe environment where individuals can grow and thrive, while search involves actively seeking out those who may be lost or in need of guidance. Finally, rescue signifies a commitment to offering help and support to those who find themselves in difficult situations. Each of these aspects is essential for fostering a nurturing community and ensuring that everyone feels valued and cared for.
Add to this the mandate to come alongside parents in "training them in the way they should go", this is the charge of a Youth Pastor. Sadly, modern churches, "seeker friendly churches" have all but turned their backs on these imperatives, and replaced the moniker and call of "Pastor" with "cruise ship director."
While I can surely give you an exhaustive list of examples, I will present you with a select few. One incident was particularly harrowing. It was around Halloween time, and the youth pastor of the church we were attending in California, decided to continue the "youth tradition" of "Zombies vs humans" nerf gun war in the church. Add to this demonic event, the fact that they had a chalkboard upon entering the youth building with the drawing of vampire teeth with blood dripping from it. Oh, but WAIT... there's more. Add to it the youth sanctuary was dark with red lighting (they tried to convince me it was fine, because it was the color of Jesus's blood) and evil Halloween music playing. I all but flipped chairs and tables. Needless to say, we left. I made a point to have a meeting with this "pastor" who tried to bully me with a barrage of scripture, out of context mind you, to convince me that I was of a religious spirit, and lacked the "perspective" of this event reaching the community.
Other "youth group" experiences were, dead fish tossing, jello wrestling to name a few. These were not special fun events happening on a designated night. These were in place of what should have been Godly instruction on Wednesday nights. Add to it the revolving door of leaders coming and going, not following up on what they promised, and the compromise that was in their own lives. They were "paid to play." Going on trips, Pastor and staff conventions, rubbing elbows with other large churches, being paid to preach at large conventions, but forgetting the sheep in their own pasture. Sadly, I witnessed the mass exodus of youth from these groups, and sadly the backsliding of even more.
So, what does God have to say about this? I think Ezekiel 34 gives firm rebuke to these kinds of shepherds in his prophecy to the Shepherds of Israel. He gives a list of charges against them.
*Neglecting the Sheep:** The shepherds prioritized their own well-being over the spiritual and physical needs of the people. They consumed the best resources and clothed themselves with the sheep's wool, yet they neglected to feed the flock.
Failing to Care for the Vulnerable:** The shepherds did not provide support for the weak, heal the sick, or tend to the injured members of the flock.
Ignoring the Lost:** The shepherds did not take responsibility for those who had strayed or were missing, failing to seek out the lost individuals.
As a result of their abdication:
Scattering and becoming prey: The people were scattered and vulnerable, becoming prey for predators, because of the shepherds' negligence.
The flock wandered and was scattered: The people wandered aimlessly, without guidance or protection, and were scattered across the land.
Ezekiel 34: 5 AMP: "They were scattered because there was no shepherd, and when they were scattered they became food for all the predators of the field."
As a mother (an Italian, Jewish NY mom at that) who had to watch her sons navigate feelings of heartbreak, abandonment and disappointment, I spent many moments in tears and prayer for my sons and for God to bring Godly men and woman who know what the assignment is, and who truly have a heart for this youth of today. Sadly, to this day many have fallen short and are not "walking worthy of the call."
But, God responds with a promise in Ezekiel 11 and 23. He says, "For this says the Lord God, Behold I Myself will search for My flock and seek them out, Then I will appoint over them one Shepherd (foretelling of Jesus as the Great Shepherd) and He will feed them, (a ruler like) My servant David; He will feed them and be their shepherd.
I end with these 2 points. One, we need a higher standard in what we should expect from a Youth Pastor. They are not Disney guides, cruise ship directors, or event planners. They are to be men and women of God, branded with the call to the youth generation on their hearts. It is not a position to be filled by a warm body, but one to be filled by a shepherd whose sole purpose is the care of the flock. Two, Parents, TAKE HEART! God will never let a lost lamb wander without His endless pursuit. Where others fail and miss the mark, Jesus never will. Stay in prayer, declare the Word and then stand and see the salvation of the LORD." He loves them and is committed to their lives more than we could ever know. When in doubt, remember Jeremiah 29:11-14.
