In it for the Likes. What Now?

It's frustrating when my students seem to be more motivated by fame than truth. How should I respond?

The desire to be an “influencer” or become Instagram/TikTok famous is something the enemy is using to tempt young leaders in the church. The need to have thousands of followers or have a post go viral is growing amongst this generation of youth. The growing number of “celebrity pastors” is not helping the cause.

Help them see that leaders should think and live like Jesus!

Young leaders in our ministry who are "in it” for the likes should be pointed to Jesus’s philosophy of ministry. Paul describes it best in Philippians 2:5-8, “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

Jesus spent most of His ministry leading 12 young disciples. His style of leadership was showing compassion for the “least of these” and living as the ultimate servant. By today’s standards Jesus would not be Instagram famous. In fact, the large crowds who did follow Him often were wondering “what’s in it for me?”

Youth leaders and parents should encourage and disciple young leaders today to have this mindset as they grow in leadership. We teach that the goal of youth ministry is to help youth think and live like Jesus, which leads to pleasing God, not man. When pleasing God becomes our pursuit, the desire for likes, views, and shares becomes less.

What are your thoughts?

We want you to win,

The YouthHOPE Team