What do students need that we can't give them?
(Continuation of Youth Pastor Challenge week)
What do students need that we can't give them?
Sometimes in student ministry we can '
operate' as if we're all that a student needs and from time to time I have to ask myself what are the things I "can't" give them.
I've found in our ministry that we may not overtly 'say' we can give them everything they need but we program, plan, & function as if there is no other voices in their lives that are stronger than ours regarding discipleship. (It's completely untrue but sometimes our actions speak otherwise) It's not intentional but sometimes it plays itself out that way.
I also say that because very few student ministries have VIBRANT
'Partnering with Parents' area of their ministry. We may '
communicate' with parents, we may invite them to a meeting, we may tell them 40 different ways that we '
support' them and '
care' about their role but I like to ask is "how are we ministering to families".
I think a great question for us student min folks to ask is
'what can we do to leverage the voices of parents and peers in our ministry' .
What are your thoughts/insights?
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I recently had a discussion with a couple who work together at a church taking care of the children and youth ministries. They are completely sold out to the idea of Reggie Joiner's Think Orange concept. I have yet to read the book, but our discussion definitely made me excited to check it out!
Equipping parents is key. Helping youth staff to realize that they are investing in the students for LIFE not just jr. or sr. high YEARS.
To answer your question: what do students need that we can't give them? A lot of things. The first thing that came to mind was a good home life. But we can be a listening ear. We can point them to God, who is ALWAYS with them. We can do the best we can to partner with parents.