We get to take advantage of the perspective of our own Student Ministries Pastor this week to continue discussing “What are Men Looking For?”
Mike Camire has attended Parkway Baptist Church since its second Sunday, and he has served full-time there for 13 years. He also serves as the statewide Student Ministries Strategist at the SBC of Virginia, and we are grateful for the role he has played in discipling our kids.
In working with Gen Z kids (born 1999-2015), he’s seen firsthand how culture is trying to define manhood in different ways through entertainment, sports figures, and social media. Young people are trying to figure out what it means to be a man or woman of God.
These kids are open to spiritual things because of cultural events. They’re asking why? What is the purpose? Where do I go when experiencing tough times? How do we disciple the largest generation when only 4% have a biblical worldview, and only 19% of churched kids have a desire to live that out?
Listen for tips like these and more:
It Starts at Home
Mike talks about the impact it made on him to see his dad come to Christ when he was seven years old.
“Dads, when your kids see you obey Christ, it’s burned in their brains forever. It’s a huge milestone for them.”
“Grasping it at home and living it out at home – I think that is a huge disconnect. Because in the church we can define manhood all we want, and we can disciple that way, but If it is not grasped and lived out at home in front of them, it is a big disconnect.”
The biggest communicator is love, intentional time. Let them know you love them. Point them back to scripture. Love them through what they go through as Christ has loved you through what you have been through.
Feel like you’ve messed up too much to make an impact?
Mike says, “Press on – I need you.”
“Not a day in your life has been wasted in preparing you for what you’re doing.” Brian Autry
“It’s only wasted when I don’t yield myself to Him and give Him the opportunity to use it for his glory and to draw others to Him. God brought you out of that so you can pour that back into someone else; that’s the point of a testimony. Don’t let the enemy use that as a crutch.”
The Importance of Defining Biblical Manhood
“If we haven’t been discipled to have a robust and bulletproof definition of what manhood is and to be able to articulate and live that out, we don’t have anything to give to kids, so we end up just kind of letting them follow the current of culture, and we don’t like that but we don’t know how to come against it.”
Nail the definition down and live it out so you can pass it on.
Resources:
New Data on Gen Z—Perceptions of Pressure, Anxiety and Empowerment
Mike Camire, Pastor of Next Gen Ministry (Studentz / College & Young Professionals): mcamire@parkwayfamily.org
When David’s time to die drew near, he commanded Solomon his son, saying, “I am about to go the way of all the earth. Be strong, and show yourself a man, and keep the charge of the LORD your God, walking in his ways and keeping his statutes, his commandments, his rules, and his testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn, that the LORD may establish his word that he spoke concerning me, saying, ‘If your sons pay close attention to their way, to walk before me in faithfulness with all their heart and with all their soul, you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.’ 1 Kings 2:1-4
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