Journal: Journal for Baptist Theology & Ministry
Volume: JBTM 13:1 (Spring 2016)
Article: The Youth Leader And King Jesus
Author: Richard Ross

JBTM 13:1 (Spring 2016) p. 20

The Youth Leader And King Jesus

Richard Ross

Richard Ross is Professor of Student Ministry at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.

Editorial Note: This article was adapted from chapter 2 of Richard Ross, The Senior Pastor and the Reformation of Youth Ministry (Nashville: LifeWay Resources, 2015). Used with permission.

“He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything
he might be preeminent.”
(Colossians 1:18)

The National Study of Youth and Religion (NSYR) sent shock waves through the youth ministry world.1 This in-depth and trustworthy research project discovered that the faith of most church teenagers can be described as Moral Therapeutic Deism. The core tenants of this belief system are:

• God exists.
• He is nice and He wants us to be nice.
• He is not relevant to my daily life, with one exception. Any time I have a need, He quickly shows up and takes care of that need. Then He goes back to being distant and irrelevant.

Teenagers invited to give a public testimony often say, “I just love Jesus. He’s always there for me.” By that they may mean Jesus is getting them through hard times at home or with friends. And of course, Jesus is very in touch with every life challenge they face and He is omnipotent in His ability to intervene in any situation.

But notice the primary focus of the teenage testimony: “He’s always there for me.” Many believing teenagers tend to know Jesus primarily as a friend who brings them good things.

Worst case, some teenagers may see Jesus as their little buddy who rides with them in their shirt pocket. He always is there in case they need to pull Him out to “poof ” some difficulty

JBTM 13:1 (Spring 2016) p. 21

away. But the problem is, teenagers may believe He can be returned to their pocket— conveniently out of sight and out of mind until needed again.

Most teenagers are focused on the benefits of religion, but not desperately in love with Jesus. Youth ministry has its share of shortcomings, but this limited view of Christ may be the most important of all. Why? Because a limited view of Christ (and thus of God) has all the conditions necessary for Moral Therapeutic Deism to thrive and remain unchallenged.

Teenagers Mirror Adults

The NSYR study made a second discovery that is just as important. For the most part, teenagers do not reject the faith of parents and important adults in their lives. Instea...