How to Kill a Jesus Youth Initiative - Nicely! (BJMM045)

How to Kill a Jesus Youth Initiative —Nicely!

(By Dr. Edward Edezhath - Shared in Jesus Youth group, Cochin on February 10, 2018, reworked for Nicole Samuel, USA on Oct.3, 2014)

In every movement, especially in Jesus Youth (JY), new ministries often emerge from the passion and enthusiasm of one individual or a small group of like-minded people. These pioneers see a need, feel a calling, and take action. Before long, their spark of passion grows into a vibrant initiative—a living network of fruitfulness that impacts others and spreads like wildfire.

But wait. Before grabbing your pom-poms and cheering for these visionaries, let’s talk about something important. Not everyone loves change. In fact, nothing unsettles the status quo more than fresh, creative ideas. While new initiatives bring life, energy, and vision, they also have a strange ability to upset the apple cart—especially for those who enjoy how things currently are. So, what do you do when you see such a movement rising? Well, if your goal is to stifle, squash, or downright kill a ministry (nicely, of course), read on for some practical tips!

But first, a little disclaimer: Destroying the work of the Holy Spirit isn’t easy. After all, God has a habit of breathing life into things, no matter how hard people try to snuff it out. Remember, “you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house” (1 Pet 2:5). That said, it is possible to at least slow down a ministry’s progress. Here’s how.

Why Would You Want to Kill a Ministry Anyway?

I mean, why not just let it thrive? Well, consider these terrifying consequences if you don’t kill it:

1. It’ll change everything: New things have a way of shaking up the way we do things. Who wants that? New people, new ideas, and new ways of doing things? No thanks! Better keep things just as they are.

2. People will come and grow: Genuine, new initiatives tend to attract people. Growth equals more people. More people equal more ideas, more work, and more energy needed to support this vibrant new community. Phew, sounds exhausting!

3. More work for you: Let’s face it, a new initiative means more work for everyone involved. Who has time for that? Better to nip it in the bud now before you end up with even more to do.

4. The world as we know it will change: Society loves its status quo. A successful new ministry? It could reshape the entire landscape. Do you really want to be part of something that gives birth to a whole new world? Too risky!

Convinced yet? Great! Now, let’s get into some tried-and-true methods to gently, yet effectively, kill a ministry.

How to Kill a Ministry in Six Easy Steps

1. Find Faults and Criticize Everything

If you want to successfully bring a ministry down, your first job is to find every little thing that’s wrong with it. Got new leaders? Pick apart their leadership style. New initiatives? Criticize the methods. Make sure to never acknowledge anything positive that comes from it. Remember, you’re the ministry-killer here. Positivity is the enemy!

2. Be the Dead Weight in a Lively Community

The best way to slow down any movement is to become the one person who brings down the energy in every room. When everyone else is laughing, sharing, and growing, make sure you’re sitting in the corner, looking bored. Show up late and leave early whenever possible. Your lack of enthusiasm will catch on, trust us.

3. Quench the Spirit

1 Thessalonians 5:19 says, “Do not quench the Spirit.” So, naturally, one of the best ways to kill a ministry is to do just that! Deflate the energy of the group. You can do this by subtly putting down others’ ideas, discouraging creative initiatives, and making sure no one gets too excited about anything new. Slow and steady wins the race—toward a dead ministry!

4. Don’t Build Relationships—Isolate Yourself

Ministries thrive on connection. So, naturally, the best way to undermine them is to keep yourself disconnected. Don’t talk to others. Avoid socializing and refrain from any honest sharing or prayer time. The less you engage, the quicker the community weakens. Simple, yet devastatingly effective.

5. Avoid Participation at All Costs

Active participation is the lifeblood of any ministry. If you want to kill it, make sure to avoid contributing meaningfully. Don’t volunteer. Don’t pray out loud. Don’t share any of your experiences. Just sit there, smile politely, and let everyone else do the heavy lifting. If you stay uninvolved long enough, others might follow your lead!

6. Distract, Don’t Build

If, by chance, you find yourself involved in any part of the ministry, make sure you’re distracting others rather than building anything meaningful. Find ways to derail meetings, shift focus to minor issues, and keep the conversation away from any productive outcomes. You’re not here to build. You’re here to destroy—nicely, of course.

The “Little-by-Little” Approach: Slow but Sure

Ministries rarely fall apart overnight. Killing a ministry is like watching grass grow… or paint dry. It’s slow but effective. As 2 Corinthians 3:18 reminds us, “We all, with unveiled face, are being transformed from one degree of glory to another.” So, in this case, you’re transforming the ministry from glory to something less glorious, one tiny step at a time.

Remember, it’s about the small things. A negative comment here, a disengaged attitude there. Before you know it, the vibrant, joyful ministry you once saw will start to crumble under the weight of subtle indifference.

Conclusion: Killing a Ministry Nicely is Hard Work

Ultimately, killing a ministry takes more effort than you’d think. After all, God has this funny way of keeping things alive even when we try to quench them. As Jesus said in Matthew 18:20, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” So, when trying to kill a ministry, you might find that the Holy Spirit has other plans.

But don’t worry. With the right amount of negativity, criticism, and disengagement, you can at least slow things down. And if you’re lucky, the ministry will lose its spark altogether.

This tongue-in-cheek guide may be fun, but the real takeaway is clear: ministries thrive on love, encouragement, participation, and connection. If you want to do the opposite of this guide, invest your time, energy, and spirit into your community. You’ll be amazed at how life springs from even the most minor acts of love and service.