READ | SERMON NOTES
Summary
Panelists: Rev Benjamin Lau (NextGen Pastor); Natania Leow (Youth Ministry Youth SG leader); Daryl Tay (BeTween Pastoral Team Member); Audrey Ng (Children’s Ministry Chairperson).
NextGen weekend highlights the ministries comprising Children, BeTween and Youth. With 1,500 children, tweens and youths to minister to across 16 services. Psalm 78:4 reminds us that “we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done”. This is a clear call to disciple the next generation. This is not a task to be outsourced to the NextGen Ministry but is a responsibility for the whole church. The nurturing of the next generation involves all of us. Whether we are involved in teaching, mentoring, serving in the background or praying, each of us has a role to play, will we rise up to take on this responsibility?
The panelists shared various aspects of their ministries, their joy in service and the vision they have for the next generation.
Natania: As the GenZ representative, Natania leads a group of 15-year-olds. She discovered that teens were not “scary” during her stint as a relief teacher. She was influenced by someone who taught her Bible reading at the age of 13 and by Children’s Ministry (CM) teachers who showed patience and love to sometimes rowdy classmates. She has been impacted by the models of love in our church. When discouraged and depressed, older adults have shown understanding and patience. God calls each of us to different fields. Even if not called to NextGen ministries, we should all pray for this work. Those who are called should not feel daunted or inadequate, for God equips those whom He calls. The church has training programs and workshops to prepare volunteers to serve. Be faithful, teachable and available.
Daryl: He recalls that he started volunteering many years ago as a pianist for CM. There, he met Audrey who mentored him as a volunteer. Having served full time in church for five years. Daryl appreciates the volunteers who give up so much time and resources to serve. Tweens, aged 11 to 14 years, are difficult to handle. They wrestle with faith and challenge rules. These are critical years to anchor them in faith. A phrase repeatedly mentioned by the panelists was faith must be caught and not taught. It takes time to be transformed. He is grateful for the adults and youth leaders pairing up to serve. “Corridor ministry” takes place when leaders intentionally reach out to Tweens who are out in the corridors for various reasons. It is no coincidence that some of these Tweens return to serve and are involved in outreach, where their attitude and service exceed expectations. Deu. 6:4-9 reminds us that the entire community is involved in passing on the faith. The next generation needs to see the whole church act out their faith. In this way, their faith is grown and sustained. As a young father of a two-year-old, Daryl prays that the next generation will find him faithful in sharing and building up their faith.
Audrey: She has been serving CM for 24 years. Starting as a pianist, Audrey recounts the support she received as a young parent. She was able to serve as others looked after her young children. She recalls Natania was in her CM class 11 years ago. Audrey shares her joy in seeing many of the CM children serving even before they reach adulthood. One is never too young to serve. As a family, she and her husband and two children worship and serve together. She shares about the need for discipline at home as well as the importance of reading the work and praying as a family. Respect and obedience learnt at home translates to learning the fear of the Lord. She taught her children that we are God’s hands and feet in serving others. Even as she involved her children in her class preparation, they learnt skills which became useful as they went on mission trips. Volunteers are called to be the face of Jesus. Through our acts of love and kindness, God is seen. We are to reflect God’s light. As we raise up the next generation, God will ensure our pews are never empty.
A common thread running through the panel discussion was the influence one generation has on the next. A chain of discipleship involves all. Seniors recount stories of God’s faithfulness to middle-aged adults, who in turn mentor young adults. These young adults then disciple and teach youth and children. What part is God calling you to play in raising the next generation? More volunteers are needed. It will take commitment but there are precious rewards in seeing the young transform and grow in their faith. Take the next step to indicate interest in serving in the NextGen Ministry.
PONDER | REFLECTION QUESTIONS
- What stood out to you from the panel sharing?
- What does “it takes a whole church to raise the next generation” mean to you? How have you
- Who invested in your life when you were growing up in faith? How did that shape you?
- What are some simple, realistic ways anyone in church (regardless of age) can support the NextGen?
- What might God be prompting you to do in response to this call to raise the next generation?
- Would you consider serving in a NextGen ministry or supporting someone who does?
- Pray Together
- Pray for our NextGen (Children, Tweens, Youths) to grow strong in their faith.
- Pray for more volunteers from all generations to rise up and serve with our Next Generation Ministries.
- Pray for families, volunteers, and leaders to be faithful and fruitful in discipling the next generation.
