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For many years, I sat on the denominational youth leadership team for our North American Baptist Conference.  I must admit that those years were filled with great excitement and great discouragement.  It seemed like this rag-tag bunch of guys from across North America pulled together by this common love for God and students had great dreams for what could happen but didn’t have the ability to get things done (or changed…)  Some of my deepest ministry friendships come from that team.

I am not knocking denominations or the denominational hierarchy that is developed whether by tradition, position or finances.  Denominations mostly function like the churches that make up the denomination so I wouldn’t expect it to look much different.

Usually, youth ministry in a denomination is relegated to a few large events that need to raise money to support all the other events that happen regionally and locally.  One of the problems that is facing denominations is the lack of ownership that the youth pastor has with it.  (I also think that churches are beginning to have a disconnect with the denom also.)  Finances are always tight and one of the first things to go in a budget, is that supporting the denom budget line.

Denominations (especially in the area of youth ministry) are going to need to reinvent themselves.  I think that one of the ways that a denomination can be viewed as beneficial is to start to drive the ownership back into regions and create healthy networks that build on relationships not a program or a need to facilitate something.

Let me highlight some denominations that I am really excited about and am looking forward to see what they will do in the upcoming days.

The EFCA is currently looking for a youth denom leader but in the interim is being lead by Fritz Dale and a great team of youth pastors.  This team is really taking the time to find the right guy for the position but is leading through the transition.  They are committed to bringing training to all their regions in the US in the next few months.  Pray for the EFCA youth leadership team.

The CMA just placed a younger guy named Jason Ostrander who is incredibly sharp and gifted in many ways into their youth leadership position.  I am so excited to see what Jason will do in the CMA in the month ahead.  Pray for Jason as he leads the CMA denomination.

Dave Curtiss and the gang over at the Nazarene denomination are really great people who have a deep heart for the volunteer in their denomination.  We have appreciated the opportunity to be in some brainstorming times with them.  I would encourage you to check out their publishing arm — Bearfoot Ministries.  They write some great spiritual formation for students stuff.

As you can, the winds of change are blowing in the denominational circles…Exciting times we are in.

- Matt