Keep The Main Thing
This month our church started a sermon series called “Let Earth Receive Her King”. This past Sunday our pastor pointed to the truth that during this season we’re all about Christmas presents, parties, gifts, and even Christmas services at church. He made the point, as the introduction to his messages, that we must allow Jesus to be the focal point of Christmas.
Personally, I feel I do this well. Not because I am super spiritual but because Christmas is not my favorite holiday (I said it) although it is one of the greatest holidays. However, there is one place I struggle in keeping the main thing, the main thing - it’s in my student ministry and in how I lead.
The main thing in student ministry is students! I can sometimes focus on everything else except students. Here’s what that means. I tend to focus on the events, the sermon series, planning how I can make the most impact in my city, getting into the schools my students attend, and reaching their parents for their child’s spiritual growth. It seems sometimes I’ve made an effort for everything surrounding my students except being and ministering to my students. THAT IS THE MAIN THING - STUDENTS.
I recently saw a quote on “X” formerly Twitter about “Doing the Thing”. Here it is…
Here is a list of things that are not doing the thing. “Preparing to do the thing isn't doing the thing. Scheduling time to do the thing isn't doing the thing. Making a to-do list for the thing isn't doing the thing. Telling people you're going to do the thing isn't doing the thing. Messaging friends who may or may not be doing the thing isn't doing the thing. Writing a banger tweet about how you're going to do the thing isn't doing the thing. Hating on yourself for not doing the thing isn't doing the thing. Hating on other people who have done the thing isn't doing the thing. Hating on the obstacles in the way of doing the thing isn't doing the thing. Fantasizing about all of the adoration you'll receive once you do the thing isn't doing the thing. Reading about how to do the thing isn't doing the thing. Reading about how other people did the thing isn't doing the thing. Reading this essay isn't doing the thing. The only thing that is doing the thing is doing the thing.”
This is how I feel sometimes. As a student minister the thing is being and engaging students. As I just mentioned I’m not perfect with this but there are times where I have ‘done the thing’. Here are 3 ways I keep myself accountable to doing the thing.
Create A Weekly Rhythm To Engage With Students.
In my weekly to-do’s I follow a 4 quadrants approach that helps me identify what I need to do and then execute. On the back page are relationships I need to focus on. For those relationships I have 3 categories that I’m primarily thinking through. Students, parents, and volunteers. This helps in focusing on what relationships need to be held weekly.
On Programming Days, Make A Goal To Hear 1-3 Stories From Students About Their Heart Condition
For my church I have two days a week to connect with students when they come; Sunday and Wednesday. On these days I make a beeline to my students and ask questions like “What has God shown you this week so far” or “What are you hoping you learn tonight that would help in your spiritual life”. Questions like these help students frame the program and help you understand where your students are spiritually to engage them on their level.
Invite Students To Lunch
My motto is “Everyone Eats” so let's go together. In my context I placed a line item in my student ministry budget to take students out and invite their friends to go with us if their parents say it’s ok. This allows another low stress environment without an agenda to hang out with students. If you do not have a ministry budget item for this then consider having students over with friends (this is important in our world today to prevent unwarranted accusations against your character) or maybe even their family for dinner or any meal.
Engaging with your students is the only way to be effective in student ministry and we all ought to desire to grow in this area. By inviting students for a meal, gathering stories for spiritual growth, and creating a weekly rhythm for engagement you can help you get the ball started!