Rip Pratt and Mark Sumpter are colleagues in ministry who subscribe to the evangelical and reformed world and life view as expressed in the Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms and the Three Forms of Unity. In addition to their pastoral charges, they seek to assist local churches by equipping God's people for covenant-based youth and family ministry and disciple-making.

There is renewed interest in evangelical and reformed youth ministry in our times. The label "youth and family ministry" has caught on. Note a few of the book titles in youth work, Passing on the Faith: A Radical New Model of Youth and Family Ministry and The Youth Worker's Handbook to Family Ministry and No More Us and Them and Family-Based Youth Ministry. Books and labels have an important place, but it's time to put the word "ministry" back into "youth and family ministry."

Ministry to youths and their families belongs to the church. The church must grow in her task of ministering to covenant members -those of our youth, young adults and their families. To do that she must submit to her Head, Jesus Christ and the authority of His Word. Reformation is central to ministry. It means thinking about reformation in ministry and putting into practice reforms that reflect His counsel.

Pratt offers helps with teaching and counsel for assistance with opening your chute for ministry. Watch for details.

Mark Sumpter: faithpastor@grantspass.com
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