Philosophies of Student Ministry

According to Tentmakers Training & Development, philosophies are principles guiding what we do as a student ministry and the way we do it, and they can include core values, beliefs, concepts and so on. While this particular blog may be dry to the casual reader, ministry search teams may like to see how I think about student ministry. Enjoy!

Possible Core Values for a Student Ministry:

1. Godly Vision – We dare to dream God-sized dreams and believe that with God all things are possible.
2. Unshakeable Integrity – We always do the right thing even when no one is looking or it is not popular.
3. Passionate Commitment – We settle for no less than giving our all in pursuit of Christ and His Kingdom.
4. Real Community – We go to heroic lengths to build deep, authentic, encouraging, and hospitable relationships.
5. Powerful Prayer – We continually ask for God’s direction, seek to please Him, and knock on behalf of our needs and the needs of others.

Family-Based Student Ministry – student ministry IS family ministry, an extension of the family’s ministry.

• Family is the primary discipleship unit – the church family and student ministry is extension and helps. Deuteronomy 6:4-8
• Partner with families to understand this principle, avoid “outsourcing” spiritual growth or “drop-off discipleship” mentality.
• At the same time, we are family to those who have no family or are missing Godly father figures, mother figures, etc.
• Encourage, even desire, parents to serve as adult leaders even if it’s to chagrin of their children!
• Students desire more independence but when and where this happens is up to the parents who must disciple their children. Of all areas parents COULD let their kids be exclusively independent, their spiritual growth and discipleship should be LAST.
• Students get both independent (small groups) and together time in large group settings; the with or without parents question has a both/and instead of either/or answer.
• Students seldom use parent involvement as deal breaker to their own involvement; this would be unreasonable of the student and even more unreasonable for the parent to give in to it.
• Exceptions are overbearing or overprotective parents, i.e. keeping an eye on their kids or student ministry because of a lack of trust.
• Parents will grow spiritually as result of serving in student ministry and the family will grow closer together.
• Strive to turn the hearts of the children (back, in some cases,) to their parents. Exodus 20:12 – the only commandment with a promise attached!
• Avoid telling parents how to parent if not yet the parent of teenager; instead teach Biblical principles on parenting, share resources, network, host parent small groups, etc.

Student Discipleship & Leadership Development – Servants’ Hearts and Missional Focus

• Philosophies to live by
• Discipleship involves developing spiritually or growing in the faith, serving and often leadership.
• We are never more like Jesus than when we serve—the goal of discipleship. Mark 9:35
• Discipleship is multiplication—discipling or leading others closer to Jesus. Matthew 28:18-20
• Students Serving/On a Mission
• Create a movement by (1) walking out their faith in their schools and (2) raising awareness of their church and youth ministry.
• Create a friendship culture and environment. Build bridges between hearts that Jesus can cross over. –Jeanne Mayo
• Taking ownership of their student ministry and church and serving at all levels of the ministry or strategy…
• E-Team, follow-up team, games team, hospitality team, snack team, worship team, etc.
• Greeters, ushers, communion, worship team, food pantry, other church missions, etc.
• All Student Leaders serve but not all who serve are necessarily Student Leaders – encourage ALL to serve.
• Student Leaders
• Qualifications – servant’s heart, humble (not seeking special attention or position), not perfect but striving to lead on and off "stage" and to be same the person inside and out of church and student ministry.
• Serve as primary leadership with an adult leader who is the coordinator of one of the various teams above.
• Serve at large as youth members on various committees – Church Council, Trustees, Missions, etc.
• Serve as “district captains” for missional projects/accountability in schools.

Adult Leadership Development – Team Approach to Student Ministry

• Philosophies to live by – see similar section under Student Discipleship & Leadership Development
• Develop Culture Where Leaders Emerge
• Culture of students and adults passionate for and obeying God and following Jesus.
• Culture of excellence, creativity, and advanced planning.
• Culture of great attitudes and positivity, where people are excited to serve.
• Team Approach – Youth Director role: pastor students and equip others to pastor students. Ephesians 4:12
• Delegation mindset – we always need more laborers (Luke 10:1-2; Matthew 9:36-37); more effective (Exodus 18:13-26) – Two leaders who are 80% as effective as me is much more than 100%! I need to equip in such a way that I eventually do the things only I can do.
• Effective ministry ratio is one full-time staff to about 50 students – Youth Ministry Architects.
• Use team leaders – raise up capable people to oversee areas; this provides recruitment context.
• Ongoing leadership training and development – recruit, cast vision, instruct, strengthen, imprint my heart and DNA.
• One-to-one training model – I do it, you watch. We do it together. You do it, I watch.
• Follow Child Protection Policy; have adults apply and interview.
• Leaders benefit spiritually when serving – strive to care more about their character and who they are in Christ than what leaders do.