The Goal of Youth Ministry: Adoptive Youth Ministry: Integrating Emerging Generations into the Family of Faith Chap Clark Professor of Youth, Family and Culture Fuller Seminary

“He gave the right to become children of God…” John 1:12 The Biblical GOAL of Youth Ministry ADOPTIVE MINISTRY:

Prime character: WARM The Biblical GOAL of Youth Ministry Fuller research:

Adoptive Youth Ministry The Biblical GOAL of Youth Ministry To encourage our students to live into their mutual adoption as siblings in God’s family

"The church of the first century were called to leave their earthly familial allegiances and to bond to one another as the new family of God. The revolutionary impact of the first-century church was their love for one another as Christ had commanded them. The need for the church in the twentieth century is to respond as they responded. We are the church and we are family. Let us get on with our business." Dennis Guernsey New Design for Family Ministry, 112. The Church must become a “family of families”

Youth Ministry as Ecclesiology “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household” - Ephesians 2:19

Youth Ministry as Ecclesiology “also members of his household…” 1. We proactively nurture kids 2. We proactively empower and give voice to kids 3. We proactively include kids

Youth Ministry as Ecclesiology Luke 7:36-50 “Simon, I have something to tell you…” Adoptive ministry is about our posture

A Practical Theology of Integration and Adoption 1.Biblically, leaders are called to: -Maintain the continuity of the Gospel -Ensure that the body is empowered 2. All are siblings (John 1:12) 3. The vulnerable must know that they matter in the “family of God” (adults called to initiate) Youth Ministry as Ecclesiology

What does adoptive ministry look like? The Biblical GOAL of Youth Ministry