As with fall activities, the fall season offers numerous ministry opportunities for you and your students. If we allow ourselves, we can be overwhelmed and simply do nothing. That is definitely not the best choice. Your students need to be learning and implementing God’s Word in their lives. That means that we must help them find ministry opportunities to impact their schools, families and workplaces.
Where do we start? How can we encourage our students to engage in these opportunities, not just the fun activities? What are we to do? There are several aspects related to this concept, so let me offer a few suggestions:
• Pray for direction. Too many of us simply get an idea for a ministry opportunity and then move into action. We don’t pray for direction. We don’t pray for discernment. We simply say, “That sounds good. Let’s make it happen.” The trouble is that we don’t make it a matter of prayer. We simply engage. God wants us to look to Him.
• Check your potential ministry opportunity against your church’s mission statement and approach to ministry. There are times when we may put something into play, but we don’t consult with any of the “long-timers” or our lead pastors. We simply want to, so we “don’t ask for permission, we ask for forgiveness.”
As I have said before, this is a misguided approach to ministry. The ministry should be about community and teamwork as we move forward with the goal of bringing glory to His name. It is honorable for us to talk through our ministry opportunities with those who have been given authority in our lives.
• Define your purpose. Just as you think through your activities, it is essential to be intentional when considering the “why” behind the event. Is it defined to impact church members or students in their school? Does it have an outward focus or an inward one? What one of the “one-another’s” does it fulfill? Whether it is inward or outward, it is important to be intentional and explain your reasons for the things that you do.
• Think about some options for involvement. There are a number of ministry opportunities that your school districts may already be involved in, including See You at the Pole, Bring Your Bible, Fields of Faith, First Priority Clubs and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. These are things you can support from a distance or get really involved in. Some activities can boost your students’ involvement on a more congregational level, such as raking leaves and caroling during the Christmas season. You may give away food or even host a clothes drive. There are many things that your students could be involved in. Look for opportunities that might be available in your community.
There is a difference between activities and ministry opportunities. Activities can be very self-serving. They may be fun, but they are not designed to teach significant biblical truths or help your students become more invested disciples. Ministry opportunities look to a different arena. They are designed to help your students become greater Christ-followers. Plan now so that your fall can be intentionally pointing your students to Christ.
Please let us know about the ministry opportunities your students participate in during the fall months at Facebook.com/groups/StudentMinistryMattersCommunity. There is great value in helping other student ministry workers consider various opportunities for their students.
