Almost every job that we take on has a training period. In fact, most professionals are required to complete training for a specified number of hours each year. Some fields call this professional development. Others call these sessions continuing education. While the world shouldn’t serve as our example in many areas, this is an area where I believe we can learn something. Whether we are a Bible college graduate, seminarian or someone who has served in church for decades, there are things that we can always learn, especially when it comes to working with the next generation.
The culture is constantly shifting and changing. Students are at the heart of that change, which includes language shifts, attitudes toward sin constantly shifting and technology advancing at a rapid pace. With all of this, student ministry workers need to be constantly learning best approaches to reach our students with the unchanging message of the gospel.
How do we manage this with a group of volunteers when the leader may also be a volunteer? That is a big question. How do we effectively train our leaders and maintain a consistent connection with them? Here are some ideas to get started:
• Utilize technology — Our church family is spread across several towns in Northwest Arkansas. Trying to get everyone together at once can be a challenge. Use Zoom or Microsoft Teams to connect with your squad and train in that format. Is it better to get everyone together? Sure. However, that isn’t always possible. Use these meetings to talk about goals, students’ lives and the direction of the ministry. When you learn something through reading or at a conference, pass that information on in these meetings. Another great communication tool is texting. While it is difficult to do any real training via text, it is possible to reiterate goals and plans. It is also a way to keep informed about your students.
• Meet together — Many of us think that this means a different night of the week from church. It can be as simple as a 15-minute meeting right after services. You could also plan a meal together and cover other material — a casserole with a side of training.
• Consider taking your leaders to a conference — Here is the shameless plug. Join us at the Student Ministry Workers Retreat at Central Baptist College on Sept. 20 for a day of information, goodies and connection. This year, we’re focusing on technology. We intentionally make it a one-day event to help our volunteers and bi-vocational ministers. However, if you can take a group away for a longer period, that is even better. You will have time to brainstorm and discuss many of the things you learn.
Another question that often pops up is “What do we discuss at these meetings?” When you are the one training your leaders, be sure to cover the church’s mission and vision. Discuss the goals for the student ministry. Talk about the best ways to reach the students who are in your circles. Discuss teaching methods. Talk about safety issues. Share areas of concern in your ministry and seek solutions together. While training does involve the dissemination of information. Training can also include the free exchange of thoughts and solutions to problems that you face together at your church.
How do you train your leaders? What big concepts do you spend time with? What do you think of student ministry conferences? Join the conversation at Facebook.com/groups/StudentMinistryMattersCommunity.
