The young women in your youth ministry are like "diamonds in the rough." When cut, polished, and cared for, their luster and brilliance will show through; and they will shine as the precious gems God intends for them to be. But do you recognize the challenges confronting today's postmodern teenage girls and do you have an intentional, organized plan to minister to them?
The first step to ministering to young women in your church is to understand the needs of today's teenage girls.
Needs of the postmodern teenage girl
Professor Allen Jackson makes no bones about it: "If you are a male youth minister, you must have female heroes for the girls in your ministry. If you are a female youth minister, you must have male heroes for the guys in your ministry."
"If you are a male youth minister, you must have female heroes for the girls in your ministry. If you are a female youth minister, you must have male heroes for the guys in your ministry."
Male youth ministers can be a spiritual influence in the lives of teenage girls, but they can never show them how to be godly women. God tells us in Titus 2:3-5 that older women are to teach younger women. What better place to do that than through youth ministry? This may be happening naturally within Sunday School and discipleship groups; but because of the unique needs of the postmodern teenage girl, ministry to them must be purposeful.
Self Image
Girls today are prone to low self-esteem. Some are pressured into promiscuity and alcohol or drug use. Many find themselves dealing with eating disorders, self-mutilation, pregnancy, unhealthy Internet relationships, even confusion over sexual orientation.
Decision-Making
Teenage girls need to learn how to make wise decisions as they become women. Much of women's ministry today is crisis intervention. Many crises are brought on by unwise decisions made during the teenage and college years. Girls are maturing earlier, being exposed to temptations earlier, and losing their innocence earlier than in past generations; therefore, we must reach them for Christ earlier.
Application of Scripture
Girls need to know the truth of God's Word and how it applies to their lives as women. They need close-knit female relationships, female role models, tenderness, validation of feelings, affirmation, awareness of hormonal issues, emotional security, physical security, understanding of the male mind, acceptance, genuine love, boundaries, and help in working through problems such as abuse, eating disorders, unwanted pregnancy, and STDs.
What Can You Do?
Whether your church can feasibly hire someone to focus on girls' ministry or not, you can still make it a priority in your student ministry. Here are a few guidelines to get you started:
Choose a coordinator for the girls' enrichment ministry who will work under your supervision and who has a heart for teenage girls. Titus 2:3-5 gives the qualifications of a woman who is worthy to teach younger women.
Form a team of godly women and diverse girls to study the needs of the teenage girls in your community and church. While the basic needs of girls are similar most everywhere; there will be specific areas of need based on the region in which you live, the family situations in your church, and the culture of your area.
Set up a mission statement and goals in line with the overall mission of the church and youth ministry, but focus on the specific needs of preteen and teenage girls.
Recruit, develop, and train leaders. Continually cast the vision for girls' ministry to the girls' ministry team and leadership. Provide resource materials.
Evaluate the current programs, ministries, and events going on in your youth ministry. Are they meeting the needs of teenage girls? Do they simply need to be tweaked, or do you need to begin something entirely new?