I believe in small stable consistent student ministries…
Do you know what students need more than anything else? They all crave it. They all need it. They don’t all know it. In fact, many will tell you they don’t.
They need to be known. Someone needs to smile when they enter the room. Someone needs to know what is going on in their lives. Someone needs to know what they’re scared of and what they dream of.
I believe in big fat huge student ministries….
Do you know what the number one thing students want out of an environment?
Disney has done studies. Cruise lines have invested millions in figuring out how to make an environment that will keep students engaged. For decades churches have installed climbing walls, coffee houses, basketball courts, Foosball tables, expensive bands, lights, smoke machines, and the list goes on and on….some worked to get kids in the doors…some…not so much.
Do you know what students want? They want other students. Nothing attracts new students like a crowd.
I believe in outsider focused ministries…
I love to see cigarette butts on the church sidewalk.
I love to hear a kid say things that are clearly unacceptable…and have no clue that he shouldn’t be saying it.
I love to see kids come back simply because they feel accepted and watch as the message starts sink in.
I believe in discipling insiders…
I love to watch students dig into scripture…write it across their hearts…because they want to.
I love to hear them hold each other accountable for the tough stuff…the hard stuff….the important stuff.
I love to see them respond to need. I love to see them serve. I love to see them love God and earnestly seek them.
I believe that can all happen in the same room…at the same time…through the Body of Christ.
Do you trust in the Body? Seriously…Do you really?
No…seriously…Stop amd think. Do you really?
I remmeber a mathematical equation used to describe #1,
Rr/T –> Δ… Routine relationships over time lead to change. Small little slices of time invested in students, getting to know them, caring about them, is impactful. As for #3, how great is it when that happened, one I recall recently that sort of fits, when a new guy said, “You mean if Adam & Eve hadn’t sinned, we’d be perfect? I’m not real happy with them right now” Keep us thinking, thanks for the blog
Thanks JIm,
That equation is an oldy but a goody. Glad you see it too!
Shef
Dude I want to read this every day! I believe! This is why I started in youth ministry. This is what I want to grow at our church. I believe whole heartily in the Body!
Awesome…awesome…awesome
It is such a blessing to be involved in the Youth Ministry! We are down in Durham, NC and love your post! Great message!!
Thanks JIm.
Love it! Too many times I talk with youth ministers and they think that these things can’t coexist. So they try and focus on one or two and end up with a lop sided unhealthy ministry. Thanks for saying simply, what at times gets wordy in my head.