Youth Philosophy of Ministry
4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. Deuteronomy 6:4-9
The youth ministry of Pear Orchard attempts to partner with the parents in order to fulfill the call of Deuteronomy 6. Since we view all relationships with a covenantal mindset and take vows to partner in parenting each covenant child of POPC, the youth ministry fulfills that by sharing in this call.
CONTENT: The Word of God
- For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
- I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11
- Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105
- All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
- We know that an unbeliever is only saved by the Word of God and His Spirit. Therefore, there are no words we can say that will save anyone. In Pear Orchard’s Youth Ministry, there is great emphasis on the Word of God. Typically, youth ministry can place great emphasis on fun. We believe that we can still have fun without sacrificing doctrine. Therefore, be confident that the Word of God is taught to the youth of POPC.
CONTEXT: An Environment for Christian Development
- And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24 & 25
- And Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God. 1 Sam. 23:16
- How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down upon the collar of his robes. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore. Psalm 133
- Therefore, we attempt to foster a Christian context for the youth to fellowship with one another and share in gifts and graces God has bestowed on each of His children. [W.C.F. section 26]