Parents and Students,
I have been in student ministry for many years now. I am still very passionate about students and encouraging them to draw closer to Christ. Unfortunately, I have learned a few sad facts about ministry. One fact I have learned is that when spiritual commitments increase, attendance typically decreases. To me this is an oxymoron. I believe that commitment should cause us to rise up, but instead when the bar is raised some decide that they do not want to be involved. You see, I believe in discipleship. Discipleship is the one thing that will keep our students focused on Christ instead of the world.
Each year our student ministry changes, and each year—because of this change—we are expecting new students to rise up and take the challenge of leadership. I believe God is calling students to be leaders so that their lives will be shaped for the future. I want to give students opportunities to explore following Christ. Raising the bar will help students reach new heights in their relationship with God. My challenge to students is that they will rise up and grow in Christ.
When I first started in youth ministry, this concept of attendance decreasing as spiritual-commitment levels increased worked against my general line of thinking. Now that I understand this increase/decrease concept, I’m able to work with the students who want to grow in their faith on a more personal level.
Bodi
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