I heard recently a group of teenage girls saying, “We would rather attend a deep Bible study than a social event.” When I heard this, it sparked a thought that I believe as youth ministers we struggle with all the time: How do we stay relevant to the ever-changing culture surrounding our teens? The answer I believe is simple: Preach the Word.

I must say, I have been guilty of playing the social event game many times to try to increase numbers in our youth program. In years past, even when I was a teenager, those things worked. We had nothing else to do except hang out with our friends, play some crazy games, get a little messy, drink soda from a sock; that and a short devotional would be just fine. However, I believe these young girls spoke what the majority of teenagers today want: “more than games and a social hangout spot.”

In a culture where Barna research is showing that in the past 12 years the percentage of teens who have shared their religious beliefs with someone who doesn’t have the same beliefs has dropped from 72 percent to 54 percent. In a culture where we have seen a decline in weekly attendance, personal prayer times, personal Bible study and tithing, I think something needs to be addressed.

I have heard it said that the definition of insanity is “doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results”. If that is true, then how many of us are insane with the way we operate our student ministries? I believe that as our culture continues to change, our students truly want to know how they also must change to be the salt and light of the world.

I was in a conversation recently with a new youth pastor who asked, “What do you suggest I do to get this youth ministry launched and reaching students?” I said, “Preach the Word.” He continued by asking me all types of program questions and fundraising questions and other very important things and basically was trying to convenience either himself or me that having great programs was most important. At the end of the conversation, I asked, “If you have the best program in town with the best music, video and building but God’s Word is not being taught, what do you have?” The answer: a social event.

I believe the Scripture is clear that we should do everything with excellence and do it for God’s glory. That means we do need to offer great programs and events. However, in a culture where our students always are entertained with movies, TV and music we must realize entertainment doesn’t necessarily draw a crowd. As ministers, we must be different than the culture in order to attract it. I saw a teenager not too long ago who was sitting in at a fast-food place chatting online with a laptop. He also had an iPod playing music and watching a movie on his cell phone. Teenagers today don’t need entertainment; they need Scripture and the power it contains.

From one student minister to another, let’s evaluate what we are doing and create a culture that attracts students who truly desire to be difference makers. May God’s Word lead us as we continue ministering to the next generation! Stay in the trenches, my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, for God will get the glory; and the best is yet to come.