STUDENT MINISTRY: Connecting with Others In Ministry
The BMA of Arkansas Youth Department is committed to three big things as we seek to support student ministry workers in Arkansas and beyond. First, we believe that continuing education needs to be a part of all ministry workers’ lives. Second, we know connections are vital for those serving in student ministry. Third, coaching is a powerful tool in helping student ministry take the next steps. It is the second one that I want to speak to.
Connecting with others is an incredibly important part of our lives as we serve in ministry. Time and again, we see this in Scripture. In Luke 10, Jesus sent out the 72 two by two. The missionary journeys of Acts are stories of partners carrying the gospel together, and there are others. We are made for community. While our church families give us much of that, we should remember that we need others in ministry to walk with. These individuals can give us some specific things:
• Accountability — If you are struggling or simply wanting to protect your ministry, having a fellow student ministry worker serve as your accountability partner can make a powerful difference in your ministry. They know your struggles and can speak into the situations you may face. They can ask the right questions and help you stay on the path.
• Understanding and Support — Connection with a fellow ministry worker is great because they simply know what you are going through. They understand the pain and difficulty you can only feel when working with students. They also may have answers to some of your pressing questions.
• Friendship — At the end of the day, we are all just looking for friends. A real friend is a person you can trust and rely on. It is also someone that you can laugh with and enjoy spending time with. Be that type of person as you seek to make friends.
Connecting with others is easy for some, but not all of us. If you struggle in this area, attend events like the Student Ministry Workers Retreat or Re:Charge Leadership Retreat. Events like these can be an opportunity to meet others and grow in other areas.
Don’t go alone. Connect with others. If you work with students, connect with us at Facebook.com/groups/StudentMinistryMattersCommunity.
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Dan Carson
BMA Youth Department Director Dan Carson writes a weekly column titled, Student Ministry Matters, through which he inspires, challenges, and informs BMA of Arkansas churches and church staff about all things pertaining to student ministry.
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