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Question for the Community: Ministering in an Affluent Church

by Seth Bartlette
Friday, August 03, 2012
All, Blog
2 comments

We’re counting on you to help us answer this question from a fellow youth-worker:

I am a new youth pastor in a church whose typical attendees are very wealthy and powerful people. Since we are right outside of DC, the area that surrounds the church is one of the wealthiest zip codes in the US. Most of my experience is ministering to those who do not have much and need help. Here, it is totally different. Most of the people we will be seeking to minister to are so wealthy they do not think they need anything? Any suggestions of ways to minister to them?

Time to weigh in with your thoughts, YMG Team. Help Jonathan by commenting below. Thanks!

Tags:Question for the Community

2 comments

1
Monday, August 06, 2012 4:07 PM
The area where I serve is also slightly more affluent than other areas around. Our teenagers, for the most part, want for nothing. We spend a lot of time preaching servanthood, sacrificial living, and living out your faith. We also put it into practice by actively seeking out those in our community that do need the help. There is always someone. Another thought is to take them where the need lies. One of the cool things about ministering in an affluent neighborhood is that people generally don't have problems paying for their kids to attend events. Group Workcamps, local ministries, and short term missions are fantastic ways to model service and God's compassion. One other thought is to develop a student leader team/program that uses the servants heart as a model for biblical leadership. HELP! I'm a Student Leader is what we use, and it is an incredible resource for that. Once some of the more influential (servant-minded) students are modeling sacrificial living, others begin to catch the idea quicker. And I would preach Matthew 19:16-26 until the cows come home. :)
2
SuzieTuesday, August 07, 2012 11:01 AM
I totally agree with the previous comment. There is a small book called "The Treasure Principle" By Randy Alcorn I would suggest you read. The book is for all Christians but helps you think about what you do with what God has given you. Living in DC there should be lots of opportunities to impact the homeless/poor in the city.