Popular wisdom of late has it that the way to build disciples is through relational ministry, through missions and service projects. Programming...sure, it keeps the fringe kids happy, but can it do more?

Several years ago Rhode Island's Providence Journal ran a story under the headline "Big Names to Have Dirty Linen Aired." The article detailed the results of a study conducted by the State of Massachusetts that examined cases in which state funds were alleged to have been poorly used. Ironically, the two-year study itself cost the state $1.5 million. The results were almost amusing (except to Massachusetts taxpayers). When the report came out, there were a lot of red-faced public servants running for cover.

Among hundreds of case studies were these highlights, written for the Journal by Loring Swaim:

• "The Boston State College 13-story tower, one of the largest buildings ever built by the Commonwealth. Its top five floors, intended as a library, have been shut off since 1976 because the designer failed to include any centralized security checkpoints. Accordingly, the five floors have been heated, air-conditioned and unused for four years. The college's auditorium is so constructed that one cannot see the stage from the balcony."

• "The Haverhill (Mass.) parking deck. It is so poorly designed it can only be demolished and rebuilt." Apparently some ramps in this magnificent structure weren't large enough to admit cars.

• "The multimillion-dollar University of Massachusetts power plant. It was built too far from the buildings it services—and never used."

These state-financed gaffs tragically reflect what goes on today consistently in youth ministries across the country. We continue to spend astronomical amounts of time, money and energy on programs and structures so we can say, "It's the largest ever built"—yet half the time the finished product cannot be used. We're building power plants that don't deliver power.

Immediately following some very serious statements about discipleship, Jesus said, "Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, This fellow began to build and was not able to finish'" (Luke 14:28-30).

To build the kind of youth ministry program that accomplishes the purpose for which it was built, serious consideration needs to be given to the blueprint.

I've often wondered about the architect who designed that impotent Massachusetts power plant. What do you say to a university trustee board when you've just spent several million dollars on a power plant that doesn't deliver power? Do you walk into the meeting, grin big and say, "Do you guys want to hear something funny?" Or do you take a more constructive approach: "All we'll have to do is teach our night classes during the day."