STUDENT MINISTRY: Continue to Learn
What have you read lately? What podcast have you listened to? What conference have you attended recently? As ministers of the gospel, God calls us to continue learning and growing. Of course, we should be reading His Word daily, but there is still more for us to grow in. I don’t know how long you have been involved in ministry (or student ministry in particular), but none of us have arrived. In fact, communicating with students requires us to continually be learning. We learn not so that we will speak the language of middle schoolers but that we might understand them.
The BMA of Arkansas Youth Department is committed to a handful of things, and toward the top of our list is being a lifelong learner. Does that mean you need to be constantly pursuing degrees? No. It means you realize your shortcomings and are working to fill the gaps. It also means that no matter how many years of experience you have, there is always something to learn from others in ministry.
Before the pandemic, I attended the Youth Pastor Summit in Dallas. It was a high-quality event with several speakers on stage. I quickly realized I had more real-world experience and education than most standing on the platform sharing. I had a couple of options before me. I could have returned to my hotel and taken a nap or stayed at the event and listened to what God wanted me to learn that day. While I don’t remember the specific sessions from that event, I do remember the lesson of learning from whoever God places in front of me. That needs to be our mindset and we should seek out growth opportunities.
As we think about this area, it is important to consider the “why” of the situation. Why do I need to continue reading and growing after 10, 15, 20 or even 25 years of ministry? I think of it the way my Taekwondo (TKD) instructor encouraged us. We would go to TKD rallies or seminars, and it would feel like we couldn’t keep all the new information in our brains. He said we shouldn’t focus on keeping all the details in our heads. Learning is like being a sponge. Not that we will soak up everything, but we will continue to soak up more and more each time we dip our sponge into the waters of knowledge.
So, what are some ways that we can continue to grow? Here are a few suggestions to help us continue to be learners:
• Read — Read your Bible. Read ministry books. Read the back of your cereal box. Okay. The last one might be overkill, but you get the point. We need to be readers. The cheesy statement “Readers are leaders” is true. I think about the Healthy Church Pastors Zoom Meetings that I participate in and am convinced that Larry Barker must constantly have a book in his free hand. He is constantly sharing quotes and other useful information. If you would like more information about the Pastors’ Zoom Meetings, contact Heidi Sorrells at heidi@bmaglobal.org. If you are looking for good books at good prices, check out the Daily Kindle Deals through challies.com.
• Conferences/Trainings — During September and October, I attend several events that bless me and my ministry. The Sing Conference in Nashville is one of the best. Its focus is worship, but it doesn’t stop there. Attendees are challenged to think biblically about worship and what that should look like in our churches. I have the privilege of hosting the Student Ministry Workers Retreat each year. While pointed at Student Ministry, there are some things to be learned by anyone in ministry. The Student Pastor Summit and For the Church Conference are both at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City. This year, I also enjoyed being involved with Healthy Church Solutions annual Re:Charge Conference.
Conferences aren’t silver bullets for the problems of your ministry. Understand that you must approach them with an intentional mindset. What can I learn? What am I looking for out of this event? What does God want to do for me through the speakers and other attendees? If you are looking for other suggestions, contact us at info@studentministrymatters.com. I am already looking ahead to the Preaching Lab’s January event at Oak Park Baptist Church in Little Rock. Be sure to check that one out at subsplash.com/garrettmemorialbaptistch/lb/ev/+wvynqgd.
• Find a mentor — One of the best ways to learn is to have someone in your life who is just a little further down the road than you are. They can tell you when you are being stupid, but they can also encourage you. I don’t think we lean into this area enough. There are so many good and godly men in our work who have much to share. The great thing is that you don’t have to live right next to these people now. Technology has come along in such a way that you can have someone influence your life who lives on the other side of the world.
Will we come back to this topic in the future? Definitely. We must constantly be reminded that we haven’t arrived yet. Our journey is an ongoing one that requires that we continue to learn and grow. Let me encourage you to find ways to continue learning and share them 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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