When Do You Let Go?

Student ministry is under a lot of pressure lately. Books, conferences, blogs and books are calling for a change in student ministry.  I hear constantly about how many students are leaving the church. It is startling and heartbreaking. Families set the standard for students. I think most would agree. Does family ministry mean we only invest in students who have parents who are committed to the church? I say no. I know many students who come that are looking for the truth of Jesus despite their parents. I have multiple friends who came to know Christ through a student ministry who invested in their life. If there were no student ministry, they probably would not have heard the gospel as a student.

But what about high school students who lose interest? Her are some reasons we want to let go of high schoolers and write them off:

• Family. Parents are the greatest influence upon their lives (what Mom and Dad do, they usually will do).
• Lack of Leadership. They are told to be adults but are still treated like children a lot of times in the home with no responsibility (we expect leaders but society expects adolescence).
• Relationship. The tendency is to pull away but what they desire is loving adults to come alongside and encourage them.
• Hard Questions. Are we willing to let them ask the hard questions? Are we willing to allow them to struggle through decisions?
• Rebellion. Students rebel and the church either rejects them or shows consistent love and encouragement. Never give up on them.
• Lack of Gratitude. Older students are not singing our "praises" anymore like a 7th grader.

When do you let go? I think it is a both/and not a either/or answer. Some would say only invest in younger students because the high schoolers will completely lose interest. I think it is a natural process for older high schoolers to struggle through their 11-12 grade years. The desire for relationship is higher than ever. A few graduates are now closer to me then they were in High school. This is why relationships matter more than a program or their mistakes. Relationship helps keep students invested in the ministry.

We need to maintain focus on the basics. We need to help students understand who God is and how to come to know Him. We need to unashamedly teach the Bible with passion and sound theology. We need to lead students to serve God with their lives.

Are we basing student ministry on the "now" or upon who they become?

What do you think? I'd like to hear your thoughts?

Is Facebook the new Myspace?

What do you think? Lately, it seems like Facebook has become filled with spam more than ever before. I remember the days of MySpace. Everyone, especially younger students loved it. To me, it was always hard to navigate through and read. Like MySpace, I think Facebook is losing steam in the social networking battle. Google+ is looking better and better each day, but everyone and their grandmother is on Facebook! My all time favorite is Twitter. Why? Because it is basic. You have 140 characters to write with no "like" button or multiple game invites! Twitter wins the "social networking award" in my opinion. We will see it unfold in the coming years. Second to Twitter, Google+ is next in line to Facebook. Will Facebook die a slow death similar to MySpace? We will see.

Social networking is a great tool. It can be used in great ways. You can share scripture, encouraging comments and more. It is a place to share pictures and videos to family and friends. But, the danger that arises is when we see social networking as the actual way we socially interact. We are in a generation that is connected technologically but disconnected relationally. MySpace lost its relevance when it moved away from the basic premise of social networking. It became lost in its purpose. Facebook is slowly losing its purpose. It has gotten so messy. A thumbnail of a dirty picture was left on my wall from spam this past Saturday! I quickly removed it as fast as a I could! Facebook has become less relevant due to ads, spam and games.

The same is true in our spiritual lives. We become distracted by the things of the world. Before we know it, we have lost our focus upon our main purpose. We need to stay focused upon the basics of glorifying God in our lives.

Let's remember that social networking sites can be used for good. But, authentic relationships are meant to be in person. We were not meant to focus all of our energies looking at a computer screen. Social networks can be helpful in connecting people, but it will never take the place of life on life relationships. I pray that we become more connected to God rather than more "connected" on social networks. I pray we never substitute face to face interaction for a social networking website.

What are your thoughts? I'd like to hear them. 

I'll Pray About It

If you have spent any time in church, you have heard someone say, "I'll pray about it." It is a response often given to a prayer request or an opportunity to serve. "Will you be willing to lead a small group?" or "Are you wanting to go on a mission trip next summer?" The response is, "I'll pray about it."  I don't know about you, but how often do we truly pray? In today's culture there is a tendency to run from commitment. Maybe we are so "nice" that we are not willing to be honest and say no? We do not want to let other people down so our first response is to avoid conflict. So what does it really mean to pray about it?

Prayer is not a substitute for obedience to God's Word. Prayer it is to acknowledge God’s greatness and surrender our will to follow Him. 

"Never stop praying." 1 Thessalonians 5:17

The ultimate purpose of prayer is to bring our hearts into line with God’s heart. Only then will be be able to see, feel, and experience His leading.

A few ways we use "I'll pray about it:"

• Prayer requests. People share a prayer request and we tell them we will pray but forget. Pray with them on the spot and write it down to remember (James 5:16). My father prays for me on the phone just about every time we talk. It means the world to me that he emphasizes praying without ceasing.
• Missions. We know that followers of Christ should be on mission. Locally and internationally. But, it will affect our plans and budget. So, we continue to pray about it, waiting for the perfect feeling, amount of money and friends who feel the same way. Jesus said, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age" Matthew 28:19-20.
• Serving. We know we should serve. But, what if I commit to serving and I am not perfectly consistent and do a terrible job? So, you wait until all is right in life and your schedule is cleared. Service flows out of obedience. Obedience then results in joy and purpose!
• Sharing the gospel. We know we should share our story with others. But, what if I say the wrong thing and they do not understand me? So, you wait until the "perfect moment" (cue the invitation music) to tell your friend how you came to know Jesus.

God gives us opportunities each and every day. For me, I have missed many opportunities because I was too wrapped up with my own world. Too often we are waiting for the perfect feeling, emotion or circumstance to obey God's Word.

God's grace is sufficient for us. God doesn’t care to be amazed with brilliantly crafted theological words. He isn’t impressed with long prayers. It’s nice to know that he wants us to keep it simple. He desires a clean heart to say "yes." The reward of prayer is the relationship with God.

What are your thoughts? How can I pray for you?