| search again |
|
Ask & Receive
group magazine: November-December, 2005
Q. I’m a new youth pastor who occasionally enjoys a drink. Do you think youth workers should completely abstain from alcohol?
Anonymous Via Internet Youth workers (and everyone) should remain completely and utterly faithful to who God has called them to be. Youth always know a fake...I personally enjoy a glass of wine with meals and have occasions when I drink. I’m upfront with everyone, from hiring committees to the youth, about who I am. I assure everyone I will never drink around a youth...I explain all my beliefs based on God’s Word. I know the Scriptures and how they spoke to me. My prayer is that I can show an example of being in the world but not of it. If it’s people telling you to abstain—use prayer, God’s Word, and discernment to ask God what he wants for your life. Hold fast to what you believe. I think if God tells you it’s right for you to abstain from alcohol, you should honor that. Kristin Bloodworth Winchester, Virginia First, know your church and denominational policy on beverage alcohol, along with any personnel policies you may have signed! If those aren’t an issue, then common sense should be your guide. A social drink with friends, wine with dinner, responsible adult behavior, shouldn’t be a problem. If you’re at all unsure about how you’d handle questions from your youth about drinking or you’re unable to explain clearly why it’s okay for you and not for them, then don’t do it. Causing one of our young ones to stumble isn’t worth an occasional drink. Anna Bell Mesa, Arizona If I had a glass of wine or beer at a restaurant, and one of the students I’ve been working to build a relationship with sees me, it could hurt the relationship in a number of ways. A teen who’s from an alcoholic family could quickly write off anything I might say to them, since they wouldn’t see anything different in me than in their family. One of the “in the church since birth” students could see this as a reason that I am not “worthy” to share God’s love with them. And a student who struggles himself with alcoholism could see this as a way of saying that his drinking is okay too. Basically, there’s no real benefit to my having a drink now and then beyond my own enjoyment, but too many possible downsides. Mark Sweat Wichita, Kansas By abstaining from alcohol completely, I’m able to lead my students by example. They can’t tell me that it’s “impossible not to drink” because I am proof that it is possible. Josh Jenkins Springdale, Arkansas In the early years of my youth ministry, I used to try and justify my positions with clear biblical arguments. I assumed that if there were no clear biblical mandates against something, it was my right to choose my preference. But upon a closer look at Scripture, I changed my approach. Now I ask, “Is it wise?” Too often we get stuck on right or wrong as opposed to wise or unwise. So looking at the potential ramifications of the occasional drink—is it wise? Rick Trautman Greensboro, North Carolina What Would You Do? I have two girls in the youth group who cannot get along. I’ve asked the parents for their help, but each side believes their child and blames the other. This is affecting the whole group. What should I do? Anonymous Via Internet Email your problem or response: editor@groupmag.com. |
