The young person needs friends. This is part of the innate need to be loved and accepted. His friends will, for the most part, accept him as he is and offer a form of support. Unfortunately, many teenagers fall in with the wrong crowd. Instead of his peers helping to develop healthy life habits they often influence in ways that lead to dangerous choices that bring damage and hurt. An effective youth ministry can offer a positive peer environment that leads to strong and healthy life skills and personal identity.

Teenagers need to belong. In school there are sports, classes, and clubs the teen can join and participate in as an equal; she is on common ground with her peers. In the home the need to belong is just as important, and if there is an open and supportive relationship with the parents she finds a sense of love and respect. In the community or street there exists another tug for identity, and those frustrated young people who have not found a support group at home, school, or church may find themselves caught up with gang life. This is another way the young person looks for love, support, and a sense of belonging.

Young people need guidance and discipline. We all recognize the strong pull of teenagers to be independent, but at the same time they desire for someone to help them set limits and determine responsibilities and decisions. One reason for open rebellion is to try imposed limits and “push the envelope.” If the teenager discovers that he can move beyond the established limits without experiencing the consequences of disobedience it is very likely that he will continue to move beyond what is reasonable and eventually arrive at the point where he is completely out of control and on a path of self-destruction. A youth ministry can help introduce or reinforce needed limits and discipline.

Emotional needs:
The church can provide an atmosphere of love to which the young person belongs. The youth minister can serve as an “off campus” parent, but in a different context. For many teens it is easier to talk to an adult who is not part of the family and home environment. The church youth group itself can be a haven where the teenager can express himself without being ashamed, unless his behavior is such that it is disapproved of by his peers. And of course, who can offer a more sincere and unconditional love than the body of Christ?

One of the young person’s greatest needs is that of self-esteem and confidence. Adolescent changes cause many teens to distance themselves from others. Rapid physical growth leads to a loss of coordination. In other instances the young person’s body may take on an asymmetrical appearance, because some parts grow faster or differently than others. This can be embarrassing to the teen, especially for those caught up in a world that defines beauty and acceptance in terms of media models. Other physical and sexual changes can add to a confused sense of well-being and security. These years of transition call for added encouragement and support from others. The young person needs to know that these changes are normal and temporary, and that she is worthy in spite of physical appearance and ability. Society puts too much emphasis on physical appearance. As Christians we should look to build up the young person and emphasize her inner beauty.

The young person needs a refuge where he can find help and counsel when there are problems at home and at school. He is looking for trustworthy people who will not betray his confidence. A Christian youth group can be a kind of refuge along with the homes of the youth leaders and ministers.

Spiritual needs:
Young people need the Gospel. The world forces its negative influence on teens everyday. Almost every message propagated through TV, the Internet, music, movies, and magazines is a lie. Instead of teaching the teenager how to respect himself and cultivate healthy productive relationships, the media teaches him how to selfishly satisfy his most base and carnal desires. Worldly philosophy says “watch out for yourself and don’t be concerned about anyone else.” It is a completely pagan and destructive philosophy. The church has a unique opportunity to minister to these disillusioned young people. Real life is not at all like the world Hollywood and its producers project. Happiness comes as a result of a spiritual relationship and not by money and material possessions. An effective youth ministry is able to minister to the real needs of young people and at the same time present the Good News of Christ.