Our Relation to Our Youth

Wide-Awake, consecrated workers will not overlook the importance of giving them­selves in unselfish service in behalf of our youth.

BX S. A. Ruskjer

Wide-Awake, consecrated workers will not overlook the importance of giving them­selves in unselfish service in behalf of our youth. Every pastor and district leader, and, so far as possible, every executive and depart­mental worker, should recognize the importance of associating closely with the young people and juniors, and of gaining and holding their confidence. There is no more important line of endeavor open to laborers in this cause than that great field of opportunity found in conse­crated service in behalf of our youth. Surely each of us, as workers, should be recognized by our youth as true friends. The young people connected with this movement constitute our greatest denominational asset. As all of us know, it is from among the youth of today that we must draw the workers of tomorrow.

Most of our young people are convinced in­tellectually as to the doctrinal positions held by us as a people; but it is one thing to be intel­lectually convinced, and quite another to have a positive heart belief and interest in the mes­sage and its development. If the local minister will take a deep interest in the young people of his flock, he will soon be taken into their confi­dence as a friend and counselor. Why should not every minister, as he comes in contact with young men and young women, take just such an interest in them, talking to them and praying with them about their future prospects, about training for service, and about the necessity of yielding the life to the Master in complete, un­reserved consecration?

Some may feel that as we have Missionary Volunteer secretaries in our General, union, and local conferences, therefore the average -worker does not need to undertake a careful study of the problems of youth, and that it is unnecessary for him to learn how to help our youth solve their problems; but the fact is that every man and every woman called of God to be a laborer in His vineyard has a divine com­mission to care for the lambs of the flock. Wise is he who begins his work in behalf of the fu­ture man or woman while that future man or woman is still a boy or a girl.

A farseeing pastor will make sure, that the boys and girls, the juniors and the youth, are made welcome in all the services of the church; and he will also see that there is a place for them to occupy and a part for all to act in the program of the church. The wise preacher will not only have in every service a "corner" that is of special interest to youth, but will also cultivate the good will and secure the coopera­tion of the young men and women in his con­gregation by taking a lively interest in their problems, and by helping them to find a solu­tion to their individual perplexities.

As workers in God's cause, we are all called by Him to be young people's helpers. Every laborer desiring to build up a strong, deeply spiritual, and flourishing congregation will rec­ognize that he builds best who has the ability to interest, help, hold, and train both the par­ents and the youth of his flock. When Jesus comes the second time, He will not only ask parents, "Where is the flock that was given thee, thy beautiful flock?" but He will also ask the same question of us as pastors and other conference workers. God help us to have such an understanding sympathy for and interest in our youth as will result in holding them with us, and in using them in Christian service as we travel shoulder to shoulder along the road to our eternal home.

Chattanooga, Tenn.

BX S. A. Ruskjer

December 1935

Download PDF
Ministry Cover

More Articles In This Issue

II. The Custody of the Ellen G. White Writings

As was pointed out last month, there are at the "Elmshaven" office practically all of the extant Ellen G. White writings, published and unpublished. In the light of this fact, these questions naturally come to the mind: Did Mrs. White, before her death, plan for the future care and use of these writings? If so, to whom were they entrusted?

Statistical Report Highlights

The seventy-second annual Statistical Report of the denomination shows that the member­ship of the 7,818 churches now stands at 404,509.

Approaching Foreigners and Laboring for them—No. 1

The basic principle in all missionary work is love.

The Missionary Wife

III. In the Church

Denominational Phraseology

To speak of our religious beliefs as "the truth" may cause some to wonder it we regard ourselves the only custodians of "truth." Would not modesty dictate a different form of speech?

Editorial Keynotes

Unifying for "Moral Pressure"

Pagan Week, Day of the Sun, and Calendar*--No. 1

In the ancient pagan concept of the universe, the fixed center was supposed to be the earth, about which revolved Saturn (farthest), Jupi­ter, Mars, the sun, Venus, Mercury, and the moon (nearest).

Knowledge Versus Faith

How much knowledge of truth must one have in order to be saved?

Editorial Postscripts

From the Ministry back page.

View All Issue Contents

Digital delivery

If you're a print subscriber, we'll complement your print copy of Ministry with an electronic version.

Sign up
Advertisement - RevivalandReformation 300x250

Recent issues

See All
Advertisement - SermonView - WideSkyscraper (160x600)