Scripture
Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem… And he did what was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in all the ways of his father David; he did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. ~ 2 Kings 22:1-2 NKJV.
“O Lord God,” I said, “I can’t do that! I’m far too young! I’m only a youth!” “Don’t say that,” He replied, “for you will go wherever I send you and speak whatever I tell you to. And don’t be afraid of the people, for I, the Lord, will be with you and see you through.” ~ Jeremiah 1:6-8 TLB.
The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for Your servant is listening.” ~ 1 Samuel 3: 10 NIV.
Ellen G. White
"The youth should have a chance to give expression to their feelings. It would be well to have a judicious leader chosen at first, one who will talk little and encourage a great deal, by dropping a word now and then to help and strengthen the youth in the beginning of their religious experiences. After they have had a little experience, let one of their number take the leadership, and then another, and in this way let workers be educated that will meet the approval of God." ~ Counsels on Sabbath School Work, p. 69
"In order that the work may go forward in all its branches, God calls for youthful vigor, zeal, and courage. He has chosen the youth to aid in the advancement of His cause. To plan with clear mind and execute with courageous hand demands fresh, uncrippled energies." ~ Evangelism, p. 476
"The Lord is calling for the youth, for He would make them His helpers to do good service under His banner." ~ The Adventist Home, p.358
"The church is languishing for the help of young men [and young women] who will bear a courageous testimony, who will with their ardent zeal stir up the sluggish energies of God’s people, and so increase the power of the Church in the world." ~ Messages to Young People, p. 25.
"The Lord has appointed the youth to be His helping hand." ~ Testimonies for the Church Vol. 7, p. 64.
"Preachers, or laymen advanced in years, can not have one half the influence upon the young that the youth, devoted to God, can haveupon their associates." ~ Testimonies for the Church Vol. 7, p. 204.
"Educate the youth to help the youth; and in seeking to do this work each will gain experience that will qualify him to be a consecrated worker in a larger sphere." ~ Messages to Young People, p. 203.
Non-denominational Quotes
- Mark Howard in “Youth Need the Church, and the Church Needs Youth”, The Gospel Coalition, April 30, 2012.
- I love youth ministry, I really do. But the thing is, we have to be sure that we don't segregate the youth for our sake and theirs. They are part of the body of Christ too, and no part of the body can remain healthy if one of its members is cut off and put to the side. If we segregate the youth, not only do we lose all they have to teach us, but we also inadvertently teach them that the church is really only for adults—those who are married and have families of their own. And then we wonder why they don't get involved in church as college students or young singles, when in reality, we've been telling them all along that the church isn't yet for them.
- Michael F. Haverluck in “3 Factors Keeping Youth in Church Through Adulthood”, One News Now, May 4, 2015.
- “If I have not equipped the students in my ministry to share the Gospel, disciple a younger believer, and lead a Bible study, then I have not fulfilled my calling to them, no matter how good my sermons have been,” says Nielson, who is also the college pastor at College Church in Wheaton, Illinois. “We pray for conversion; that is all we can do, for it is entirely a gracious gift of God. But after conversion, it is our Christ-given duty to help fan into flame a faith that serves, leads, teaches and grows. If our students leave high school without Bible-reading habits, Bible-study skills, and strong examples of discipleship and prayer, we have lost them. We have entertained, not equipped them… and it may indeed be time to panic!”
- Stanley, Andy. (2012). Deep and Wide: Creating Churches Unchurched People Love to Attend. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2012.
- “Experience has taught us that the sooner we can get people into ministry environments, the better. Even if they are not fully trained. Once they are actually in the environments several things happen. First, they are confronted with what they don’t know but need to know and they become extraordinarily teachable. . . . The second thing that happens is that they usually recognize immediately if they’ve chosen an appropriate place to serve. But perhaps the most important thing that happens, happens in their hearts. When individuals step into a ministry environment, what was once a category of people becomes people with names, faces, and stories” (p. 128).
- Vanderwaal, Howard. Editor. (2008). The Church of all Ages: Generations Worshiping Together. Herndon, VA: The Alban Institute.
- “Intergenerational worship is a countercultural activity. In a culture that segregates and isolates children, preteens, and teens, and then appeals to to them separately, the church is a truly countercultural community when it invites all generations to participate actively in worship.” (p. 71, Quotes Darwin Glassford, “Fostering an Intergenerational Culture”)
- Lewis, Robert and Wilkins, Rob. The Church of Irresistible Influence. Grand Rapids, MI: ZondeRvan Publishing House, 2003.
- There is no greater investment in the future of the church than by identifying, encouraging, and providing training for the young leaders in our midst (p. 179).
- But for the church to rise above a “spiritual maintenance” mentality to be more than a club, or spiritual retreat center, the right kind of leader must be found first. . . . George Barna is absolutely right when he says, “We must commit ourselves to the process of leadership development so that we can empower leaders to succeed.” We must not only find these leaders; we must “set them up for success” (p. 180)
