[This is part 2 of a two-part interview with Pastor Steve Wright. Part 1 can be found here.]
ALEX: You’ve been in youth ministry for over 20 years. How has it changed during that time?
STEVE: Unfortunately I see student ministry heading in a very dangerous direction. Many of us got caught up on the “bigger is better” treadmill. Bigger budgets, bigger programs, bigger personalities. We believed we could entertain students all the way to the cross. While I would have never confessed it early in my ministry, I was literally trying to prop up the gospel with gimmicks, giveaways, and all the rest of an entertainment model.
It is no surprise that now we have several “For Profit” ministries thriving in an industry to keep students entertained. Unfortunately, today the gospel within student ministry has become Big Money.
ALEX: What are the biggest challenges in youth ministry today?
STEVE: Two big challenges stand out.
1. The Gospel – What gospel are we proclaiming? Are we challenging our students and families to encounter the gospel afresh every day? There was a seeker who came to Jesus once that many know as the Rich Young Ruler. Jesus offered him grace and eternal life, but this young man walked away because of his pride and his possessions. Jesus did not chase him down to give him a latte and put an iPod on his head, neither did Jesus alter His message to “give all.”
2. Theology – Will we do ministry on His terms or will we seek trendy, business and entertainment models? Are we willing as pastors to REALLY dig into God’s Word for His direction, and do we have the conviction to change course where necessary?
ALEX: How do you respond to those who believe that churches should not have youth ministries?
STEVE: Our first response should be in a spirit of love and gentleness. I wish the solution was as easy as doing away with student ministries. I have heard this message for some time now as the solution, but I really do not see many churches rallying behind this thought. Do we do away with preschool, children’s, women’s, men’s, and senior adult ministries? Acts 5:38-39 says, “If this thought is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God you will not be able to stop it.”
The key element to me on this issue is do we believe God’s Word is sufficient? If it is, how does it guide us in the context of student ministry? I, for one, do not believe that God’s Word is silent in this area and that IT DOES give extensive guidance as to the roles of both the family and the church. Acts 2:42-47 gives us a clear picture of what the church should look like and that picture demonstrates cooperation between families and the wider church body.
ALEX: How do family dynamics impact the health of a church’s youth ministry?
STEVE: A student ministry rises and falls on the spiritual health of its families. As a youth pastor, it’s virtually impossible for me by myself to guide students to where they need to be spiritually. This was never the biblical model. Parents must assume the lead in this role; when they do, the results are amazing. God has blessed them with this amazing privilege of being daily mentors in the lives of their children. What a gift. We have already seen the results of this here at Providence.
ALEX: What do you hope this ReThink Conference accomplishes?
STEVE: Our utmost desire is that the pastors and other leaders who come will encounter the gospel afresh and see its power to change individuals, families, and churches. If I had to give you a short list, I would also say:

1. That we will make “much of Him.”
2. That the gospel of Christ and its rich provisions will once again be proclaimed as our only hope.
3. That pastors and church leaders will be inspired to do ministry “On His Terms”.

Steve Wright serves Providence Baptist Church in Raleigh, NC as Pastor of Student Ministries. He is the author of reThink and regularly blogs at lastingdivergence.com.

In my last post, I introduced Steve Wright and his book reThink: Decide for Yourself – is Student Ministry Working? Steve’s book is the basis of a one-day Conference at Providence Baptist Church. What follows is the first installment of a two-part interview with Pastor Steve.
ALEX: Please tell us a bit about how God saved you.
STEVE: I met Christ as a 10th grader at a little country church in north Georgia. My grandmother who was a committed Christ-follower passed away a few weeks before I was invited to go to a revival by a neighbor. Before this time, I had never thought much of death and eternity. At the revival that night, I heard the good news and made Christ Lord of my life.
ALEX: How and when did you first discern that God was calling you into youth ministry?
STEVE:This was a difficult time for me because I didn’t really understand much about church or Christian ministry. I wasn’t around either a whole lot growing up. I thought full time ministry was for senior pastors and missionaries. I went to Haiti a few times while I was in college to explore missions.
It is kind of funny because I would leave Haiti very broken and confused. I was broken over the sin and living conditions and confused because the missionary I worked with would work me so hard each day I thought I would die. I was a collegiate wrestler at the time and in really good shape (I thought), and I would leave thinking if missionaries work this hard every day there is no way I could make it.
God was gracious as He brought a pastor into my life who allowed me to work with his student ministry. As I was faithful, he would give me more responsibility. It was through his ministry that God impressed on my heart that He wanted me to be a pastor. This pastor not only modeled for me 1 Timothy 3:1-13, but also was used by God to show me what His plans for my life were.
ALEX: Please comment on the benefits and potential pitfalls of a youth ministry.
STEVE: Benefits:
• Dependency on God– I think student ministry constantly drives its leaders to their knees. It is terribly burdening to see what students and their parents face on a daily basis. Only by God’s mercy and His grace can we walk through these difficult times.
• Hope– I am blessed to see students claim Christ as Lord. Watching God’s transforming power in these students in whom I am pouring my life and His wisdom reminds me of the fact that God is always bringing restoration to people and relationships, and sometimes He allows us to partner with Him in the restoration. This has been God’s grace on my life.
• Observation– Student pastors have the opportunity to watch the lives of other Christ-followers because of their contact with these individuals through ministering beside and to them. Through observing the faithfulness of others, Tina and I have been taught so much more about God and what it means to surrender all daily to Him.
Pitfalls:
• Pride– It may sound strange, but pride is every student pastor’s greatest enemy. We know that God opposes the proud. In student ministry, it is simply too easy to do the opposite of John 3:30. If you were to ask me what my greatest need is in ministry, I would straightforwardly respond, “humility.” For me to be effective in ministry I must offer God’s grace and His great grace is only given to those who walk with great humility.
• Neglect– It is easy in student ministry to care for the needs of others in such a way that we bring leftovers home to our families. God Forbid! I must shamefully confess that in the first decade of my ministry I sinned in this way. I did not esteem my family as my primary ministry.
[This interview continues in Part 2.]
Steve Wright serves Providence Baptist Church in Raleigh, NC as Pastor of Student Ministries. He is the author of reThink and regularly blogs at lastingdivergence.com.