Some of us love a great celebration. I wish I were one of those people. My happy place is a quiet place where I can get away from noise and distraction (and people, but I’m not supposed to say that because I’m in ministry). When someone says, “Let’s celebrate ________.” I am not the one who jumps up and says, “Count me in!” And honestly, that’s a problem. For those of us in ministry, we need to be about the art of celebration. We need to pause and take time to celebrate the wins God provides and the people He uses. Celebration is a time to lead well and honor God.
What do I mean? When we celebrate the work and steps forward that people take, we reinforce the good and godly things they are doing. When we celebrate the good that God has done, we are making Him known to the world in a greater way. Both are incredibly valuable.
While celebration is important and valuable, it does not come easily to all of us. I would encourage you to take small steps as you move forward in learning the art of celebration. Here are a few to get you started:
• Celebrate God openly. We love it when athletes praise God in their post-game interviews. There is something fulfilling in seeing someone win a great contest and then share their faith. While the words of the victors may just seem like part of the entertainment, many of these athletes are looking for opportunities to give God the glory. While the athlete may have a bigger stage, we should use our victories and setbacks as opportunities to openly celebrate the God that we love and serve. Encourage your students to give God glory after a test goes well or an interview for a job is successful. God is not just with the athlete. The Holy Spirit dwells within every believer and is carried into all situations in life. That means that God is worthy of celebration at every turn.
• Celebrate your students (and church family). As a youth pastor, it is easy to celebrate the students who are involved in extracurricular activities. The football or soccer player has games that you can attend and brag about. Band, choir, and orchestra members have concerts and all-region tryouts. What do you celebrate about the student who just goes to class? That is a bit harder. They might not get good grades, and school might be a place of struggle for them. Take time to celebrate their character and faithfulness at church. You can celebrate them on social media, by sending them cards, or mentioning them to the whole church when you gather. It is important to notice people and celebrate them.
• Celebrate your volunteers. It is easy to forget to celebrate the people who are always there. We take them for granted. Don’t let that happen. Your volunteers, no matter the area that they serve, need celebration. You can do this in so many ways. I know we can be afraid that, by highlighting one person, others might feel slighted if we don’t mention them. However, we don’t need to live in that fear. Be intentional. You can highlight whole groups of servants at once. Our pastor is sure to thank our worship leader and the worship team each Sunday before he begins preaching. This acknowledges their willingness to put in extra time and effort for the service. There are times to celebrate the individual, but if you become concerned that someone will be or feel left out, acknowledge the group.
• Celebrate your family. This can take many forms. Birthdays are just the tip of the iceberg. We need to celebrate anniversaries, good grades, faithful service, and more. While some celebrations are just for those in your house. Don’t be shy about sharing your feelings about your family online or in person. It provides an example to your students and your church family. The truth is, I like bragging on my family. I love them and don’t care who knows. While I don’t do it because of my church family, they have noticed. Your church family is looking at your life. Part of our calling as pastors and ministers is to be an example for our people.
Is this an extensive list of areas that we should celebrate? No. You may have other areas that you like to highlight. However, these are important ones to keep high on your list. If you struggle to celebrate others and highlight how good God is, then it is time to take a few small steps forward and celebrate someone today. It can be a simple thank you with some added praise:
• “Thanks for your faithfulness. It means much to me.”
• “You know, Joe has done a great job.”
• Or most importantly, “God is doing some great things in my life and in my church! Let’s give Him the praise.”
Let’s celebrate all that God is doing in our lives and let Him be known in greater ways. We would love to know something that you celebrate in your life. Share it at facebook.com/groups/StudentMinistryMattersCommunity.
