Christianese

Ditch the “Christianese.” It is a bit comical but mostly sad to hear any minister use abstruse theology or diffuse biblical concepts. They sound smart and well trained as a polymath in Christian living. However, our intent should be to expose people to the Gospel rather than leaving them confused or impressed by our prolix of verbosity. While student pastors are not the leaders of the pack in this matter compared to those serving as senior pastor, it can be a challenging aspect of student ministry. We want to challenge students without watering down the non-negotiable truths, yet we also want them “get it”. Better to err on the side of simplicity than arcane pleonasm. Use language teenagers understand. This is not the same as using language that sounds like a teenager is the one talking, but rather using words that convey concrete concepts and leave little room for misunderstanding. ex: Christianese says: The third part of the triune God spilt His blood as the propitiation for our transgressions. Speaker to an adolescent audience says: Jesus is the payment for our sin debt. Deep theological lessons and countless hours of preparation mean nothing if they don’t know what you’re talking about. And while I am on a verbal rant, please make a deliberate effort to use words like I, we, and us when preaching rather than you, they, and them. Too often preaching assumes everyone in the room is a believer or the implied idea that everyone needs what is being preached but the one doing the preaching. They may never know how much time you spend preparing to deliver a theological masterpiece understood by your adolescent audience. They may never appreciate your dedication to crafting Gods word into understandable concepts that a high school student can grasp. They may not realize the challenge in delivering bite-sized truths that capture the attention span of a middle school student with Attention Deficit Disorder. But if you speak the truth in love and commit to the task of building a sermon with the learning style and developmental stage of your target audience in mind, you will find more students responding to the truth of the Gospel.

“The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.” Psalm 119:130

“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” Colossians 4:6

Understanding These Techy Times

Technology has always  been appreciated and celebrated by the adolescent community as well as those who lead them in ministry. Often times it is the appreciation of new technology that creates a special bond between the music ministry and student ministry. While new technology is greatly championed by teen culture, the life-span of an electronic item seems to get shorter each year. My first ministry electronics purchase was a VHS player that would connect to our 300lb youth room TV. The first projection unit I acquired was in 1986. We were thrilled to have a re-purposed overhead mounted projector from a defunct PanAm aircraft. The unit cost $6000 and could be focused only at 4, 8 and 12 foot increments after lining up the color grids. It was an incredible piece of equipment and one-of-a kind among the Panama City Florida church community. In a few short years we saw projection units shrink into portables models only 1/5 the size with major resolution improvements. Soon we would embraced the emerging technology of cassette tapes, V8mm, and Hi8 recording. Personal recording and duplication gave rise to youth music libraries. By 1988 we were training interns and students how to shoot and edit video with our youth editing suite. When the AG 1970 linier editing decks gave way to the new AG1980 decks we had to have a pair. In a few short years we would swap our $1,700 editing decks for $300 computer software that could not only edit but retain a digital copy – wow! From the mobile bag-phone that cost $2 per minute to use to the excitement of the Palm 100 PDA (personal digital assistant) to the windows operating system the trend continues. Imagine youth group games using an affordable pair of google glasses or hologram imagining your student band and 3D printing promotional items. Yes, embrace the technology of the day. In fact, lead the pack if you want to but remember, you don’t have to have the latest tech toy to impresses local tribal leaders. You do however, need to stay current, as in  . . . what your college age volunteer Geek Squad thinks is current. Any technology that helps communicate the Gospel message, your ministry vision, and ministry event information can be a blessing and well worth the effort and cost to remain relevant. Conversely, if you are spending an inordinate amount of time tinkering with and trying out the newest release then maybe you should back the throttle down a bit and rethink the benefit and priority of relational ministry. Know the times in which you live and exercise wisdom towards the vast availability and access to the electronic “things” and “stuff” at your disposal.

“And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do. . . “

I Chronicles 12:32a. 

“Keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5

Affirmation Is Essential

Affirm your students, parents, and volunteers every chance you get. Encourage and compliment them corporately, in small group and as individuals. Big victories get our attention making it convenient to celebrate because we enjoy affirming a big win. A significant success prompts us towards gratitude and acknowledgement of God’s unmerited favor. Some victories are large while others may go virtually unnoticed. But with every small victory in the life of a youth or youth leader a big win is being constructed. Little things eventually add up to form big things in the business of life-shaping and character molding. So when it comes to accolades in ministry remember to praise students publically, admonish them privately and celebrate with them equally. I have never met a parent who did not appreciate someone being a positive influence in the spiritual life of their child. Even lost parents raising children in a Godless home will more often than not, appreciate your efforts towards character development. Parents who connect with the student ministry as a supportive participant will sing the praises of caring student ministry. Students who are regular attenders will never forget your personal affirmation. Students who are lost may receive their only encouragement from you or someone on your leadership team. Not only will your affirmation be appreciated, it will become contagious as well as an attractant for youth and families.

“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you have been doing.” I Thessalonians 5:11

“Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how to respond to each person.” Colossians 4:6

Shepherd > Friend

You are the leader of a student ministry before you are a friend to youth. While student leaders do enjoy a high degree of relational connections with teens there is often a temptation to connect with them on the wrong level. The pressure and desire to connect with your target age group and impact their life can lead to an unhealthy attachment or misplaced priority. While your heart may be in the right place and your passion be inspiring, a less than professional etiquette must be avoided. In other words, don’t “lower” yourself just to gain approval by the high school “power brokers”, the “in” crowd, the ones who lead the heard. Don’t be sucked into acting in a certain way just to be labeled the “cool” youth leader. In an attempt to connect and be accepted by the youth do not lower your standard or side-step your responsibility in being a biblical example. If you find yourself striving for acceptance by lowering your standard, take a step back, pray, and share your challenge with a trusted ministry friend. Remember, you do not want to do anything that would diminish your position or reputation in exchange for being “one of the gang”. Students don’t need you to be their primary friend, but they do need you to be someone they can trust and emulate. You may not see the effects of a misplaced friendship priority for a season or even longer. You may not recognize an inappropriate reputation gradually being constructed. Among parents, elders and deacons however, you will lose more leverage and influence than any temporary gains you might get from an emphasis on or pursuit of the cool factor. So speak the truth of God’s word in love and embrace the friendships that arise from leading students rather than impressing them. Your authentic love and discerning leadership will inspire them without the pressure of being voted flavor of the year by Cool Youth Leader's Magazine.

“Shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness.” I Peter 5:2  “In all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified . . . “ Titus 3:7

Communication 101

The number one complaint from pastors regarding their student minister is: lack of communication. You think it would be skating off the hand rails in front of the sanctuary or backing the church van into the parking stop at BeefObradys wing house. But no, the top complaint from pastors or supervisors is the lack of information. Few things frustrate a senior pastor or administrator more than being unaware of what is going on, especially when it is exceptionally great or potentially problematic. Make it a priority to update the staff, shoot an email or drop a flier their way prior to a ministry event. It takes a bit more planning and time but communicating well will pay future dividends to you and the ministry. When your butt is in a sling, about to get chewed on or a black eye is headed your way, communication can be your biggest ally. And just in case you doubt it; one day you are going to get a black eye and your butt is going to get in somebody’s sling – so just communicate; better yet, over-communicate, super-saturate the staff, parents and youth. I have never heard of a parent or staff member in ANY student ministry anywhere say: “You know, our student pastor is excessive in keeping us in the loop. I wish he would lighten up on the communication a bit.”

Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.” Ephesians 4:25

Partner With Parents, Don't Compete!

Student Ministry is not a game of “us” against “them”. The “us” being the students and their illustrious captain and leader and “them”  being the parents and gray hairs. Younger youth leaders have to fight the urge to view questioning parents as “them”. Sometimes even older leaders tend to overlook them in favor of a more compliant man power source such as intern staff. Learn to see parents and other adults as part of the ministry team, each with a gift and talent to contribute. The more comfortable, inclusive, and informative you become with parents, the more likely they are to sing your praises all over town. And since they are going to sing something, it might as well be your praises!

"From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love." Ephesians 4:16  "Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and [that] there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment." 1 Corinthians 1:10

Small Group Truth: Know Names

In small groups, strive to learn every students name as soon as possible. In larger groups this can be a challenge but doable. In huge groups, this may be impractical or nearly impossible. It should always be someone’s responsibility to KNOW the students name. So according to the size of ministry, if it is not you, make certain someone on the team is on top of it – like small group leaders. Nothing breaks down barriers with students, especially peripheral or visiting youth like calling them by name. It communicates to students that you take a personal interest in serving them. Also, try to avoid the habit of using generic camouflage names like: sport, buddy, man, girl, or friend. Students will only give you a "pass" for so long. In most cases, the use of generics simply increases the suspicion that you don’t know who you are speaking to. Your ministry will be greatly enhanced and attractive if students hear their name. A survey was conducted among elementary kids and the question was asked: What is love? Billy, age 4 said: "When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth.” 
Remember:  “Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.” Proverbs 17:28   "Fear not: for I have redeemed you, I have called you by name; thou art mine." Isaiah 43:1