To “imitate”. Webster’s Dictionary defines it as;

1. To follow as a pattern, model, or example
2. To be or appear like: resemble
3. To produce a copy of: reproduce

Does the idea of imitating feel positive or negative to you? I think to many of us, it is less than positive. Our culture puts a very high value on being unique, one of a kind, original. As individuals we don’t want to follow a model or be a copy of an original.

But do you realize we are designed to imitate? Think about it… How do you learn before you have any language… that’s right you imitate. Babies learn to smile and talk because we get in there faces and smile and talk. Do you realize that this learning method never disappears?

We are told at least 19 times in the New Testament to imitate or follow an example set before us. We are told to copy the behavior of God, Jesus, Paul, or the apostles. This is a pretty common theme.

I think we have forgotten how important imitating is to kids. We see it every day, kids imitating media icons… not the best models if you ask me. Kids very rarely want to be truly original, that is too risky. They want someone to follow; they want someone to guide them through the challenges of life. They want to be seen as an individual, but they develop by imitating. They don’t really realize this, but it is true.

The process of Christian discipleship in the context of church community should revolve around imitating. We should function off the principle that Paul expresses in 1 Cor. 11:1 “Imitate me as I imitate Christ”. So each of us as believers should be imitating Christ in our lives, and imitating more mature believers who are imitating Christ, and setting a good example for less mature believers to imitate.

Godly adults getting involved with kids as mentors, and giving those kids a good example of someone that loves God and follows his commands, being someone to imitate. This, I believe, is youth ministry in its purest form.

Who are you imitating and who is imitating you?… Think about it.

Striving to imitate to be worth imitating,

Bud Amundsen

Ministry Coordinator

The other day Brad said to me you have to hear what this coffee cup has on it. He then read this quote;

It’s relationships, not programs, that change children. A great program simply creates the environment for healthy relationships to form between adults and children. Young people thrive when adults care about them on a one-to-one level, and when they also have a sense of belonging to a caring community.

– Bill Milliken - the author of a couple of books Tough Love and The Last Dropout.

Wow this guy has nailed our philosophy of ministry methodology on the head! It’s not programs but, a kid having a one-to-one relationship with a caring adult. I see such an opportunity in our community for the gospel to be shared with every kid if the adults that love the Lord are willing to connect with a kid or two. The kids are open to a relationship with someone that really cares about them, and that relationship is the best means by which the truth of the gospel can be shared. This is the very reason why our ministry efforts are now focused on partnering with churches to build mentoring teams with their adults and our kids so that the kids will hear the gospel and get connected to that church. Now that is good ministry!!

Here we plan to post current thoughts and plans about the Rogue Valley YFC Chapter written by Brad Bills and Bud Amundsen.