The Inside Scoop - PROactive, not REactive

The Inside Scoop on Advance >>

At Advance >>, it is not good enough for us to be REactive...

I don't know about you, but I am tired of watching Satan sneak up on the youth of America and set them on the course for destruction... I am tired of youth ministries sitting back and being quiet on all the subjects that are wrecking the lives of our students. I am tired of REactive ministry! The time has come for churches to quit being REactive and start being PROactive!!!!

There is a HUGE difference between a PROactive youth ministry and a REactive youth ministry:

• A PROactive ministry isn't afraid to address a tough topic (even if it makes the students giggle or blush when you do).
  A REactive ministry says, "You can't talk about THAT in church!"
• A PROactive ministry challenges their students to live out their faith because it knows they are capable of doing it.
  A REactive ministry treats them like kids.
• A PROactive ministry is not afraid to speak a hard word to its students and trust that the Holy Spirit will work in their hearts and lead them toward repentance.
  A REactive ministry is very nice (maybe even sweet)... all the time...
• A PROactive ministry will use the Bible to answer the questions that students are asking so they can find answers.
  A REactive ministry will spend a lot of time talking about general truths about God and the Bible.
• The number one goal of a PROactive ministry is for the students to grow in HOLINESS.
  The number one goal of a REactive ministry is for the students to grow in HAPPINESS.
• A PROactive ministry helps its students form strong convictions BEFORE they have to make tough decisions that could harm them.
  REactive ministries try to help their students AFTER the damage has already been done.

I am convinced that the job of the church is NOT to stand by and watch the enemy wound the youth of America and then try to bandage up their battle scars and help them recover. Will that happen from time to time, YES... Should that be the norm, NO!

We HAVE to stop letting Satan win! We have to equip students, challenge students, empower students, talk to them about difficult subjects, and treat them like young MEN and WOMEN! They are NOT TOO YOUNG FOR THIS!

If you are a student who attends Advance >>, I promise that every week we will share Christ with you, preach from the Bible, rely on the Holy Spirit, equip you, challenge you, try to answer your questions and face the difficult issues head-on. We are more concerned with your holiness than your happiness.

At Advance >>, we WILL be PROactive... why? Because Jesus said in Matthew 4:17, "Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand."