STUDENT MINISTRY: Taking Christmas to the Community

      I know we are well into the Christmas season, but I have been wondering how many of us have carried the holidays outside our homes and church buildings. It is easy to keep our celebrations and service within those walls. We love our people and want to celebrate them and the season well. We have Christmas musicals, Sunday school parties, home gatherings and more. However, if we aren’t careful, we can focus our celebrations more on ourselves rather than on expressing the great gift of Jesus that we have received.

      As we work with students and families, leading the way through our example is important. We need to think about ways to carry Christ into our communities during the holidays. Here are some possibilities to consider:

         • Consider Christmas Caroling. I know this may seem like a very old-fashioned idea, but I imagine your community has a nursing home that would love to have a group of young people share a few Christmas songs with them. This idea takes very little prep and can have a powerful impact on your students and those your group is singing to. Many of you may take a group caroling, but make sure it isn’t just aimed at the people of your congregation.

         • Work alongside a community organization. Over the past 10 years, our church has partnered with two different organizations — Potter’s House NWA and Camp War Eagle. As the one who navigates those waters, sometimes it can be a real challenge. A war can develop between the church and the guest organization if not handled well. I will tell you, it has definitely been a learning process along the way.

      We allow both groups to utilize our Family Life Center for their ministries. Balancing schedules and wants from these organizations can be work, but it is worth it. Our reach is greater because of our people’s willingness to host these organizations. Potter’s House is a parachurch organization that focuses on helping people of Fayetteville live in closer relationship with one another. In addition to the facility use, our people join their efforts to provide gifts each Christmas. It is a win-win for our people.

      Do you have to host another organization in your facility? No. You may not have the space or capacity to make it work. There are other organizations you can join with, even on a personal level. I have been a part of the Singing Men of Arkansas for the last two years. We share a free Christmas program for the community that focuses largely on sacred music. It is a way for me to invest in my community and share during the holidays. Let me encourage you to look beyond the walls of the church, see where God is working and join Him there.

         • Contact a school. Schools are a great place to go if you want to help your community. If they don’t have a need within their ranks, they can point you to someone that you will be able to help. Schools in Northwest Arkansas, especially in my community, are less receptive to churches being involved. Still, I know that that is different for many of our people around the state and the country. School in one form or fashion is something that everyone has to be involved in. Use that common denominator to reach out and to carry Christ into your community, especially during the holidays.

         • Plan a community event. I know Garrett Memorial Baptist Church in Hope, works with their community to provide a night of Christmas music in a local auditorium. It is called the “Old-Fashioned Community Christmas Carol Sing-Along.” They host the event out in the community at the Paul W. Klipsch Auditorium in Hope. I know many of our churches seek to pull people onto their campuses for living nativities, Christmas programs and more. And I also applaud those churches, but there is something extra special about going out into the community and carrying Jesus with you. What could you plan in your community?

      Christmas can be a wonderful time of year, and it is an easy time to share about the birth of Jesus. Don’t get so caught up in your own story and activity that you forget to carry His story out into the world. Make it a part of your family tradition. Let the young people in your life know that carrying Christmas into your community is a priority.

      Join the conversation at Facebook.com/groups/StudentMinistryMattersCommunity and share how you carry Christ into your community during the holidays.