I am a youth pastor. I am not an entertainer.
The entertainment industry has been changing, modifying, and adapting over the ages. Teenagers have been engaged throughout most of their formative years by all forms of media, technology, and entertainment. If a church builds a youth ministry that is entertainment and completely "fun" driven it will eventually lose it's appeal to teenagers. Why? Because teenagers are exposed to all forms of entertainment at the click of a mouse and the church cannot compete or keep up!
Here is the good news. Youth ministries are not called to entertain students but to make disciples. Luckily, teenagers aren't looking for just a fun time, but are looking for people who can give them answers to the hard questions and who will walk side by side in life with them.
Before being accused of being a kill joy let me confirm that I do believe that youth ministry should be fun and relevant. Our youth ministry uses Just Dance songs, YouTube videos, TV's, zany games, and a band. We use these things though to augment and to build up to the spiritual climax and mission of our youth services.
I have been to a number of retreats, conferences, and youth meetings. It is easy to see what the priority of the gathering truly is. Is the meeting emphasis to primarily have fun and to mix a little of Jesus in as well OR is the meeting emphasis more about encountering Jesus and having some fun is more of a byproduct of a missional mindset?
Therefore, there is more to youth ministry than just fun, pizza, pop, and video games. While it is fun, youth leaders are called to make disciples and to raise the next generation up to love the Lord which is hard work!
Do not try to out entertain your students compared with the entertainment industry. You will lose every time! Do try to provide an atmosphere of authenticity where Christ is preached in a fun and relevant way!
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