Mic on Mike - Our Youth Director
(An interview with Mt. Zion’s Youth Ministry Coordinator, Mike Naumann)
Mic(rophone): Hey, Mike!
Mike: Hey.
Mic: You’re in your forties, man. You’re a husband and a father. Aren’t you a little old to connect with teenagers? What got you started with this gig?
Mike: When I was in my mid-twenties and attending church as a single person, a pastor asked me to help build their youth program. My own high school church youth group experience had been a very positive one; I really grew in faith during those years and was curious about God and God’s purpose for me. I was blessed to have parents and other adults who encouraged my participation in the life of the church and how to live out my faith in the context of the world. Thinking I could make a difference in the lives of young people in this same way, I said yes. That was 1984 and I ended up being the youth director at that church for 10 years. I’m in my 7th year of youth ministry at Mt. Zion. The young adults and I have a great respect and admiration for each other; I look forward to being with them. It energizes me, renews me and gives me hope. They seem to respond well to me.
Mic: Why?
Mike: I’m interested in them, I listen to them, I notice them, I care about them and I treat them like they are important to God, the church and to me. I think most people, youth included, respond to this no matter how old someone is. Did I mention I genuinely like them?
Mic: If you had to summarize the purpose of youth ministry at Mt. Zion, what would you say?
Mike: To make and nurture disciples of Jesus Christ. It’s what presses me.
Mic: What about the role of parents in the faith journey of their children?
Mike: Youth ministry, apart from family ministry, is less than effective. At this church, we believe that parents have primary responsibility for the faith development of their children. This is in keeping with the promise we made at our child’s baptism. To that end, we look to parents to take ownership in the youth ministry program here by sharing their time, talents and sometimes a bit of their treasure by leading, coordinating and helping with the various events throughout the year. Without significant parental involvement and support, I would have been burned out years ago.
Mic: What shape does youth ministry take at Mt. Zion?
Mike: Basically, four areas: (1) Service – Jesus said, “If you want to be great in God’s kingdom, be the servant of all.” This is why we do work camps, soup kitchens, homebound visitation, and food drives. (2) Fellowship – we have fun together in a “safe” environment where people can be themselves without fear of ridicule, harassment or judgment. This helps build trust among youth. (3) Education – Sunday school (through 8th grade) and Youth Forum (high school), Confirmation classes, adult education, parenting classes/Bible studies, and; (4) Fundraising – this primarily involves the high school group for the purpose of offsetting the cost of the annual summer mission trip or ELCA Youth Gathering.
Mic: You’re also in the business world. What skills from that setting help your ministry with young people?
Mike: I’ve got strong gifts in planning, organization, oral & written communication, interpersonal skills and leadership. Budgets and financial statements don’t scare me, either. Marketing and selling is what I do outside of Mt. Zion. In a church setting, gaining someone’s trust so that they might be receptive to your message (it’s about Jesus, dudes) isn’t that far removed from some business processes. Of course, the stakes here are lifelong and even eternal!
Mic: What does success with youth ministry look like to you?
Mike: I would list the following things:
• Youth and families follow Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and practice the “Marks of Discipleship...”
• Praying daily
• Reading the Bible regularly
• Worshiping weekly
• Serving at and beyond Mt. Zion.
• Developing relationships that encourage spiritual growth in others
• Giving proportionately of our time, talents and financial resources
• Youth and families are responding to what Christ has first given us and are learning to become good and faithful stewards of their time, talents and money.
• Youth attend activities at Mt. Zion because they enjoy the acceptance, fellowship and friendship of each other.
• Youth invite their friends to participate in church-sponsored activities.
• Parents and other adults provide leadership and presence at activities.
• Youth are integrated into the fabric of Mt. Zion and are not separate from the life of the congregation. They are treated as the “church of today” as well as the “church of tomorrow.”
Mic: Got any hobbies?
Mike: I like to golf but I’m not very good at it. I love the outdoors and my most favorite vacations or weekends away are somewhere near water. I have a canoe and a Jet Ski. And yes, I play video games.
Mic: Peace out.
Mike: Later.
