Don’t worry about getting bigger; strive to get better.
Andy Stanley tells a story about Truett Cathy, the founder of Chick-Fil-A, during an intense leadership team meeting. At a time when Boston Market started to move into Chick-Fil-A’s territory, everyone was concerned about how they could get bigger and out-size the competition.
In the middle of the discussion, Andy Stanley says that Cathy started banding his fists onto the table and said these words,
“If we get better our customers will demand we get bigger!”
Leading a student ministry isn’t the same as leading a fast-food joint, but the truth here holds up: You need to focus on getting better, not getting bigger.
If we are all honest we would admit that the glamor of being a bigger ministry has intoxicated us at some point. We chalk it up as having a greater reach for Jesus, but we know that we selfishly driven by our own definition of success.
As student leaders, why should we be concerned with getting better? Simple: That means that more students are becoming Christians, being discipled, and developing other disciples. Yup, you read that correctly. The more deeply we are rooted in Jesus the more fruit the student ministry will produce.
Below are 5 areas that you should strive to get better at student ministry.
5 Ways You Can Get Better At Student Ministry
Become Better At Equipping Your Team
Ministry happens with teams. To become better at student ministry you need to be spiritually investing and pastorally leading your leadership team. These adult leaders will be an extension of your ministry. If they are spiritually dry your students will be dry. If they lack excitement, your students will lack excitement.
Become Better At Helping Students Own Their Faith
Your students have been gifted by God to do good works and further the Kingdom of God. How are you leading students to own their faith? Personally I believe that this is done through service and leading and not inside of a bible study. Students need a space to learn how God has gifted them and to start using those gifts. Getting students to serve in the kid’s ministry is a perfect fit.
Become Better At Pastoral Ministry
The key here is getting leaders to help share the load of ministry. How well are you ministering to families in the ups and downs of life? Are you equipping your leaders to make this an emphasis in their role in your ministry?
Become Better At Small Groups
Small groups, discipleship groups, Sunday school, or whatever you call them needs to be an open group where students can develop friendships and develop their relationship with Jesus. How well are you encouraging leaders, providing spaces for spiritual growth, and resourcing students to learn more about Jesus?
Become Better At Encouraging Parents
Parents are doing the best that they know how to do. You must remember that you work with the specific phase as a calling. Parents are walking into a new phase every few years. How can you encourage your parents to latch onto their role as the primary spiritual leader?
Now What?
In what other ways can you get better at student ministry?
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