STUDENT MINISTRY: Healthy Student Ministy Workers & Their Spiritual Life
Last week, we talked about how a healthy student ministry must be led by a Christ-follower. I know that seems like an obvious statement to make, but good intentions of helping young people are not enough. Our service to the young people in our church and community should come from a transformed heart, not just a desire to make a difference.
This week, I want to discuss the need for student ministry workers to be growing in their faith. Again, I know this seems like an obvious statement, but too often, when selecting the leader of our student ministries, our top characteristic is willingness. While willingness is important, especially in a volunteer situation, it cannot be at the top of the list — much higher must be a growing faith. This person does not have to be a spiritual giant but must be making steps forward in their relationship with Jesus. What does this look like?
• Prayer is a mainstay. Many who love students are doers. “Let’s get our students serving. Let’s take our students on a trip. Let’s have a lock-in!” While “doing” is definitely a normal part of working with teenagers, a healthy student ministry worker must be willing to slow down and talk to God on a regular basis. Among many things, prayer is a reminder that we can’t do this all on our own. We need God’s help.
• Reading the Word on a regular basis. The Bible is where God teaches us who He is in our lives and in people around the world. If we don’t pick up a Bible on a regular basis, we don’t need to be leading others. When interviewing men for the position of leader at the Association of Baptist Students, my friend, Wade Allen, would ask, “What has God taught you today?” In that question, we were able to discern if they were looking to the Word on a regular interval. A healthy student ministry worker will be growing in their faith because of their involvement in God’s Word.
• Connecting with believers on a regular basis. First and foremost, this is a call to be involved with a church’s Sunday morning gathering. Gathered worship will be a priority for the healthy student ministry worker. It is during this time of praise and diving into the Word that believers experience the “one-anothers” of Scripture.
• Involved in a Discipleship Relationship. The student ministry worker needs to find someone who can hold them accountable and who they can learn from — a Paul to their Timothy. Perhaps you need to meet with your pastor twice a month. Maybe you have someone else in your life you can open up to. Whoever that person is, they need to be able to speak into your life in such a way that you will listen. A healthy student ministry worker knows they need others as they navigate their spiritual life.
While this list could go on with other disciplines of the Christian life, it should be clear with these four that spiritual growth is intentional. It is not just something that happens by attending the right seminary or conference. If you are looking for someone to work with the students of your congregation, don’t neglect to evaluate these areas of character. If you are serving or have a desire to serve in student ministry, remember that you need to be growing in your faith. It shouldn’t be an afterthought.
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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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