Over the past several months I’ve had the opportunity to reflect on my Student Ministry as I plan for the next year. It is easy to lose sight of what is important in your planning and program to impress instead of disciple. Here are some somewhat random but important tips and priorities for you as a Student Pastor and your student ministry in the coming year.
1. Do Less, but Do it BetterOverprogramming is a killer for many student ministries. When things get hard or we want to see growth we just assume more must be better. In reality overprogramming will kill family discipleship (families are already busy) and burn you out. Don’t overschedule the rest of your church. Free students to be involved in other aspects of church life. Find the things you really want and need to do and do them excellently.
2. Involve ParentsParents are great. Find ways to get the involved as volunteers and leaders. If parents are the key disciplers of students we want to create opportunities for parents to invest more deeply in their students, not take away opportunities from parents. If not as volunteers, find ways to hang out with parents, talk to them, communicate with them, and equip them.
3. Don’t Hound Students about Lack of AttendanceYes, attendance matters. Yes, you’re unfairly judged based off of attendance. Yes “what are you running on Wednesdays” is the first question you’re always asked. Often, the lack of attendance is more on the parent than the student. Also, their lack of attendance does not mean you cannot still let them know you care.
4. Do More Lunches and Coffees and Less Big EventsA regular, intentional lunch meeting with a student(s) will do more for their faith than another game night ever will. This doesn’t mean to cancel the game night, but if fun events take up more of your bandwidth than your people you’re missing your best ministry. Budget to be with students and leaders.
5. If You Play Games, Do Something Everyone Can EnjoyMany student ministries have a regular gametime and it becomes one of the most polarizing things they do every week. Students either feel like champions because they always win and are popular or left out because it isn’t something they’re good at. If you have games, make sure they build community not break it down.
6. Plan to Preach WellStudent ministry is busy, fast, and stressful. Make sure you plan time to focus on what matters most—getting the gospel in the lives of students. Let your prep time for your sermons be of paramount importance in your schedule. Discussions, games, etc are great—but God does something special in preaching. Get good at it and prioritize it.
7.Invest in Your Young StudentsIt is a temptation to spend all of your time with the mature older students who are doing well. But make sure you’re investing in your middle schoolers. You cannot just cast the vision to your students one time, but must continually do so to each new group.
8.Take Advantage of Pulpit TimeWhen you get to preach on Sunday morning (or even when you do announcements) take it seriously. You can gain or lose more credibility here than anywhere else. Be clear, give the gospel, be presentable, and take it seriously. Student Pastors should be pastors before they are the adjective that modifies it in the title.
9.Make Hospital VisitsIf you’re a pastor, make sure to visit your people in the hospital if you can. This is one way you can actively be a pastor to your whole congregation. Learn to talk with people, pray with them, and be available. Take a student, intern, or another pastor with you and you can doubly bless the person you visit and yourself.
10.Get EquippedStudent Ministry is serious ministry. We are on the front lines of every cultural shift. We preach to conflicted hearts. We pastor people in their most formative years. Don’t shortchange your people—get equipped. Go to seminary if you haven’t. If you can’t afford it ask your church to help. Find a mentor. Get involved in a cohort. Read good books. We cannot stand to be un-equipped in our faith while trying to equip students.