Well once again, Doug Fields proposes some amazing ministry concepts - he's a great communicator. The idea of identifying the various commitment levels of students is so simple, but SO useful!! I really related to the five circles of the potential audience as they define them. I think those five circles totally fit our situation here too. I think it would be an interesting exercise to sit down with our list of typical students that attend, and classify them. I think it's good to identify where they are now so that we can be intentional about how we're going to help them move to the next phase. What do you think?
I think we would also benefit by doing some of those tables with our programs or program ideas (page 95). This is definitely an exercise that we will do at our staff meeting (that I'm still hoping to have the end of this month). That will TOTALLY help me with what I've been struggling with in our Wednesday services. I feel like we need to do a better job to engage our students where they're at and help them grow!
I agreed completely with the chapter about Evangelism. I think we're working on developing an evangelistic attitude. I was thinking of doing something similar to their Friendship Evangelism Challenge, but I was going to relate it to CMs. I haven't thought it completely through yet, but I thought we'd kick it off in the fall when school starts again. This statement really stuck out to me...
"If our group doesn't grow, we are sending a message to our non-Christian friends to go to hell." (page 110)
Wow. That is painful but true. That is the reason we care about growth. It means we're truly affecting our community for Christ!
Loving this book...I think it's SO applicable!
Monday, May 18, 2009
Revised Purpose Statement
Ardent Youth Ministry exists to be a place where students know they BELONG, will be challenged to PURSUE Jesus Christ, will learn to WORSHIP with their life, will find their place to SERVE, and ultimately become an INFLUENCE for Christ in their world.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Purpose Statement
So after reading these chapters and letting the concepts bounce around in my heart and spirit, here's my first shot at a purpose statement for Ardent YM...
"Ardent Youth Ministry exists to be a place where students know they BELONG, will be challenged to PURSUE Jesus Christ, will learn to WORSHIP with their life, will find their place to SERVE, and ultimately become a supernatural INFLUENCE in their world."
I think this statement covers all the purposes, but also shows a progression that I believe will typically happen in the lives of students.
FELLOWSHIP: It starts with just being a place that is safe and welcoming. And as students keep coming back, they realize that it really is a place they can belong...and it might be the only place for some. It will be the love of Christ through us that causes that to happen.
DISCIPLESHIP: Then we begin to challenge them to not only sit and listen to what's being said, but also to PURSUE a vibrant relationship with Jesus and knowledge of the Word of God. That means they will have to engage in that process...not just sit while we do all the work.
WORSHIP: We will teach them by example, through the Word, and through repetition that worship is a way of living their life. Prayer, obedience, church, service...these are all forms of worship, and we want to make sure that students understand this principle!
MINISTRY: Every believer has been given talents and abilities from God. We need to find an effective way to help students discover those giftings and then find an opportunity to use them in service for the Kingdom of God. In many cases, they will get connected with ministries outside Ardent.
EVANGELISM: As we know, evangelism is more than door-to-door witnessing - although that is a valuable experience for Christians! We also want to equip students to recognize the powerful INFLUENCE that their daily lives have on those around them. A genuine, transparent relationship with Jesus and other Christians can truly impact their world.
I've asked Pastor Jeff to give me some feedback about this purpose statement, but I also want to hear from you! Please let me know what you think or if you have any suggestions for better wording.
"Ardent Youth Ministry exists to be a place where students know they BELONG, will be challenged to PURSUE Jesus Christ, will learn to WORSHIP with their life, will find their place to SERVE, and ultimately become a supernatural INFLUENCE in their world."
I think this statement covers all the purposes, but also shows a progression that I believe will typically happen in the lives of students.
FELLOWSHIP: It starts with just being a place that is safe and welcoming. And as students keep coming back, they realize that it really is a place they can belong...and it might be the only place for some. It will be the love of Christ through us that causes that to happen.
DISCIPLESHIP: Then we begin to challenge them to not only sit and listen to what's being said, but also to PURSUE a vibrant relationship with Jesus and knowledge of the Word of God. That means they will have to engage in that process...not just sit while we do all the work.
WORSHIP: We will teach them by example, through the Word, and through repetition that worship is a way of living their life. Prayer, obedience, church, service...these are all forms of worship, and we want to make sure that students understand this principle!
MINISTRY: Every believer has been given talents and abilities from God. We need to find an effective way to help students discover those giftings and then find an opportunity to use them in service for the Kingdom of God. In many cases, they will get connected with ministries outside Ardent.
EVANGELISM: As we know, evangelism is more than door-to-door witnessing - although that is a valuable experience for Christians! We also want to equip students to recognize the powerful INFLUENCE that their daily lives have on those around them. A genuine, transparent relationship with Jesus and other Christians can truly impact their world.
I've asked Pastor Jeff to give me some feedback about this purpose statement, but I also want to hear from you! Please let me know what you think or if you have any suggestions for better wording.
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