STRETCH

Secret life continued...

This is week three of our series 'The Secret Life of an American Teenager'.  This has really been a powerful series for our teenagers.  This week is a no holds barred 'Q & A' session.  Students have been writing questions for about 3 weeks now and putting them into a box that one of students made.

We will also let students text their questions to be answered at the end of the Q & A.

Here is a sampling of the questions:

"What does the bible say about Masturbation?"

"Why do guys wear tight pants?"

"Can I still be friends with my friends that are gay?"

"Do you agree with this statement?" 'You can be one of God's few successes or one of his many disappointments.'

"Why so much homework about math, which we don't use in real life?"

"If God made sex to be good, why is it so perverted now?"

"Do you think dating teaches you how to cope with divorce?"

"What do you say to someone who smokes, drinks and takes drugs?"

"Matthew 15:4 says that dissin' yo mama should get you killed. What does that really mean?"

So, there are a few questions from our search.  Some are silly and some a real - wither way, our students have questions.  

I wonder how often we are providing answers to questions they aren't even asking.  Make sure you have a good grasp on the pulse of your group.

Stretch yourself,

Jesse

What is the point?

Each ministry should have a point of destination.  Some define this as a purpose or as a reason for existence.  For our student ministry at Phoenix First, the point of destination is actually not the end of the journey.  It is the beginning.

The 'point' is clearly defined so leader and students understand what we hope to accomplish in the spiritual lives of our young people.  The 'point' can also be called the vision.  This is what we hope to see our students become.  Our vision at Student Impact is to help students become complete in Christ.

Everything that leads up to the 'point' is simply foundation for what they are to begin.  For instance, we want to take students who are far from Christ and systematically move them through the process of spiritual development to the point of completion.  Once they arrive to this destination, we believe they have the tools to reach others and walk through that process with someone else.  

The process is as follows:

Outreach

Connection

Development

Completion

Each of these categories have programs designed to assist the student in that particular path of development.  For example, under outreach we would include Activate which is an outreach driven event built around our band.  Events would fall under connection.  Small groups would be listed under development and student leadership would be with completion.  

This helps us stay committed to our 'point'.  So, 'What is the point of your ministry?'

Stretch yourself

Jesse

*Thank you to Seven Ministries for inspiration.

It doesn't happen often but..

when you get an encouraging letter from a student in your ministry - you just gotta take note:

This is what it said:

"Thank you so much for everything.  You are so incredibly amazing.  You are so encouraging and inspiring. I feel like I can trust you with my life.  You are a great guy, but an even better pastor.  You have taught me and a lot of others so much.  I am proud to call you my youth pastor.  Definitely one of the best.  I have five youth pastors that on my awesome list and you can be sure you're one of the five.  Thanks for all you do.  Keep on preachin' brothuh!!"

Wow - THIS is why I do what I do.

Plus....I made 'THE AWESOME LIST' 

Jesse

Ministry Goals

Goals provide a bulls-eye for anything.  We've all heard it before, but it is so true; "If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time."  That is why goal setting is so important.  Set goals for your relationship with God, your relationship with your wife/husband, your children, your work and your personal life.

I will be including our student ministry goals over the next couple of days.  At Phoenix First, we 5E - which is five essentials we measure how ministry is done at our church.

5E is: Exalt, Evangelism, Edify, Employ, Extend.  So each of these will have an overall ministry goal next to it, followed by specific ministries already taking place within that 'E' and then a goal for 2008.

Enjoy!

Jesse

'Youth Unleashed'

This Sunday night is completely dedicated to students in our Sunday After Dark service at Phoenix First. We will be introducing our new approach to student ministry to our church.  It promises to be one of the most exciting services of the year!  

We have dance teams lined up, incredible give-aways to each age group - children through college, and a special performance from 13 year old guitar prodigy Eddie Blues.  Oh and Coffey Anderson from Nashville Star will close out the night with a mini concert.  It's going to be an incredible night!

Jesse