In thinking about girls' ministry for the long haul, my previous blog posts have focused on keeping a clear head and enduring hardship. Both of these ideas are based from the following Scripture:
"But as for you, keep a clear head about everything, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry."--2 Timothy 4:5.
The third element of working with girls' ministry long-term is this: do the work of an evangelist.
"Keep the Message alive" (The Message). Focus on Jesus. Hosting a manicure party is a great way to reach out to girls who don't know Jesus, but if they don't hear the message about Jesus while they are there, then we're missing the point. Activities, slumber parties, and support groups are worthless without pointing girls back to a relationship with Jesus. He must be central.
I was watching an interview of a reality-show personality who wanted to clarify his practice of praying. He said, "I want you to know I was praying to God [on the show], not Buddha or anyone else, although that's perfectly fine..." Excuse me? If you're a follower of Jesus, there is nothing else. There are no other options. Girls need to hear that.
Girls can participate in service activities through their school clubs. They can get help with their self-esteem at a counseling center. They can read about dressing modestly from the Internet. What the Church offers is Truth. Girls are sinners and need a Savior. Only He can make them whole. Only He can meet every need. Only He can heal their wounds and bind up their broken hearts. Only He can give them the confidence they need to face an unknown future in an ever-changing world.
Our job is to make sure they hear that message and hear it loud and clear without any omissions and without compromise.
If they don't hear that Message from us, where will they hear it? Certain not from a reality-show participant.
Sorry, I put my comment on the cupcake post.