July2014_Faith & Living

Mentors and Models – helping to shape the next generation 

When I was in my mid-twenties, I began my ministry life as the youth pastor of a huge church in Auckland.  Our youth group alone was around 400.  We were coming off the hippie era and youth were becoming “free-thinkers” and independent.  It was “cool” to be a rebel and there seemed to be a mass-rejection of just about everything our parents’ generation taught and stood for.  It seems incredible to me now that it wasn’t until I was into my 30’s that I ever even heard the word, “mentor.” 

 

Now though, it’s a different story.  Our youth are seeking mentors and role-models.  They want to interact with people who are older than them.  My generation didn’t, by and large.  Here’s a little illustration of the differences between the now-living generations.

When my dad’s generation were told to jump, the response was, “how high sir?”

When my generation were told to jump the response was, “Give me a reason to jump and I’ll jump.”

When my kid’s generation (GenX/Y) were told to jump, the response was, “Jump with me and I’ll jump.” 

This is the team generation – doing life together.  They don’t just want to be taught something in a lecture, they want to be shown and modelled what is being taught.  Yet ironically, this is the generation that is being left to themselves more than ever with the TV, laptop, iPad as mentor and model. 

I see a great opportunity and responsibility to provide mentoring for a generation of youth.  To model and demonstrate life principles and values.  ‘Dayboro Youth’ is providing a safe and rich environment to the young people of our town to be mentored and shaped through one of the most difficult phases of a person’s life.  Meeting each Friday night, 7-9pm at the Dayboro School Hall, under the great oversight of School Chappie Darren and his team, the young people are having fun while learning great life lessons at the same time.  Awesome! 

Gary Levens is Pastor of Dayboro Church.