What is Attractional Ministry?
It’s become popular to stomp all over “attractional” ministry. These types of easy-takedowns usually contrast legalism with grace, man-centered teaching with Bible-centered teaching, and fun events with intentional discipleship. In this way, the critics are bolstering their own ministry philosophy as grace-driven, Bible-centered, and discipleship-focused, while attractional youth workers are the exact opposite.
In a previous post, Rethinking Attractional Youth Ministry, I wrote, “For many, attractional ministry is simply ministry. It’s just what you were trained to do because it’s what you’ve experienced” Since that article was published this statement has been consistently affirmed. Attractional ministry is the default setting for the majority of today’s youth workers. But what actually is attractional ministry?
Not long ago, in one of the popular facebook groups for youth workers, I saw someone describe the difference between attractional and non-attractional ministry with a question along these lines: “Are you an attractional youth worker: Do you host fun events for students to invite their non-Christian friends?” As someone who is a proponent of gospel-centered youth ministry and has been critical of attractional youth ministry, I can say with confidence that nearly every youth ministry holds fun events where students are encouraged to invite friends. This is not a hallmark of attractional youth ministry.
It’s beyond the scope of this post to attempt a definitive definition of attractional youth ministry. But I do believe that one of the key differences between attractional and gospel-centered youth ministry is the primacy of Bible teaching.
Again, we must be very clear: attractional youth workers usually teach the Bible and proclaim the gospel. But they are often on the periphery, rather than at the very heart of everything about the ministry. Teaching Scripture is often topical and can tend to be so application-oriented there’s little exposition or theological depth. Evangelism is often placed as the central mission of the ministry, which often means the gospel is viewed as a message for nonbelievers (and is disconnected to discipleship - unless you’re training students to do evangelism). The general posture of an attractional youth ministry is to conduct themselves in such a way that students would want to be part of the group, and in the process they’ll hear Scripture and the gospel.
In contrast, gospel-centered youth ministry intentionally places Bible teaching at the heart of the ministry’s programming and the gospel is central to absolutely everything in the ministry. Fun and games are present, but they aren’t treated as the “big draw” to get students to attend.
In my experience, many attractional youth workers don’t seem to believe the Bible will build their youth ministry. This leads them to building a ministry around other attractions that will draw students in, and then they teach the Bible while kids are present. Hence the name, “attractional” youth ministry. The Bible is there and the gospel is preached. From that youth worker’s perspective, it remains the “most important” part of the ministry; but it’s not the draw. The gospel might save kids, but teaching the Bible won’t build the ministry. One of the most important questions youth workers must ask is this: Do I trust the Word to build my ministry?
No one, even on a site named “Youth Pastor Theologian,” is advocating for theology lectures for teenagers and calling it “Youth Group.” This isn’t an invitation to be sloppy teachers who dare the Holy Spirit to pick up our slack. We should be good teachers who know how to craft a compelling message that exposits God’s Word, proclaims the gospel, and clearly applies to students’ real-lives. Your ministry’s depth will never outgrow your Bible teaching. And yet, it is absolutely essential to trust that your ministry doesn’t depend on your ability, but on the Holy Spirit’s work.
In my own ministry, I recently hosted a Mario-Kart in-real-life event to kick off the school year. We raced drift bikes in the parking lot, threw plush turtle shells, and awarded spray-painted Mario/Luigi/Yoshi trophies. It was a blast, and I have no regrets. This was an opportunity to welcome back students after a really difficult COVID-19 season, and to promote so much-needed laughter. Here’s my point by giving this example: on the surface, any attractional ministry could have run our Mario Kart event. The difference between my ministry and an attractional ministry isn’t found in special events, but in the approach to week-in, week-out ministry.
If God’s Word is, in fact, inspired and authoritative then it better be the foundation for everything Christ’s Church does. This includes youth ministry. The mission of the Church is to “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20).
We are called to make disciples by going, baptizing, and teaching. These are the pillars of discipleship that Christ has given to his people. If our youth ministries keep these as their own pillars, I think we’d be more confident that God’s Word really is “profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17) and that “it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11).
Teach the Bible, and do it with confidence. God’s Word will do the work of ministry. Christ will build his Church.
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