I had the opportunity to ask Kevin Hopper, Student Leader Extraordinaire, a few questions on Student Ministry:


CP - Do you feel that it is important for the core students in a youth group to be involved in some type of leadership - where their suggestions are taken into consideration and they feel responsible for some aspects of teaching, planning, etc.?


KH - When you say “core students” I take it that they have not only made a commitment to God and acknowledged that they want to do something for Him, but they have also made a commitment to their Youth Pastor.


By commitment to the Youth Pastor, I mean they have applied themselves to working (whatever their hands find to do) with all aspects of youth ministry including community service, youth service, prayer meetings, car washes, outreach, taking care of church facilities and yard etc...


Remember, even Jesus told His disciples “follow me and I will make you fishers of men”. You first have to be a good follower (in word, in deeds, in attitudes and in dress) then you can be a good leader.

As a part of the training process to go on and be used of God, the student needs to get involved in youth leadership, to follow through with their commitment to God to be an instrument for His glory! The training should be complete, meaning, no one owns an area of ministry but all get a chance to lead a community service day or a prayer meeting.


The student needs to work with a pre-plan to be approved by the Youth Pastor or whoever is appointed. When everything is said and done, the student should be willing to sit down and go over the event and accept suggestions and constructive criticisms to improve for the next time.


This is where the student will get their hands-on training/experience to be used later when they are on their own and doing a work for God.


It is exciting when you, as the student, spend time in prayer and put together a service with God’s help and under the Youth Pastor’s guidance.


Then when things begin to happen through the Spirit as God begins to move and the youth respond to His Spirit, it is awesome!


CP - How do you, personally, help students feel empowered to do something for Christ?


KH - To some extent you help to empower youth even before thy become part of your “core group”, you try to empower all the students and the ones that accept the empowerment stand up and want to be counted for the Kingdom’s sake.

This is done by talking to them and finding out their weaknesses and fears, because this is what the devil tries to get them to dwell on. Relate to the student a Biblical story or a personal story that refutes their fear or weakness. Sometimes you can do it one-on-one or just include the story in a lesson.

The lesson is very effective to reach out to empower the student. You can tell two or three stories and each one will be for some one different and in the end you have impacted a large part of the audience.

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Thanks to Kevin Hopper! This insight is very helpful to all who are working to better their Student Ministries.

Happy Friday!

As Dan and I have begun teaching the Teen Class at our local gathering, we have noticed that giving the students something to be responsible for doing, actually aids in their ability to concentrate and learn. (go figure! said as sarcastically as I can say it, because this could go without saying... I hate it when I state the obvious...)

We have been teaching for the past month on FREEDOM - they are to use the lessons that we teach, to teach inmates at a local minimum security prison in October.

Nervous? You bet! They are quite nervous about this task/opportunity - but I believe in the deepest parts of my heart that they will grow tremendously from this experience - it will be something that they will not soon forget.

Believe in your students - teach them something that they can teach others! (make it simple and keep it real!)

Dan and I have been involved in student ministry since we were both about seventeen years of age. Through the years we have learned a few things that we would like to share with you, to help your Student Ministry flourish.

We would love to share with you, through our posts, what has worked for us and what has flopped - yes, we have had a few of those events that just didn't "reap the harvest" like we thought they would... unfortunately...

Let us save you some time and planning... we are here to answer your questions AND we are committed to doing this regularly.

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Today's question:

How do you show a student that you really care about getting involved in their lives, if they have been hurt by someone close to them, and they are majorly lacking in the trust department?

Answer:

Students KNOW that you are required to be at church. They know that as a student pastor or student leader "on the team", you are expected to show up to each youth event on the calendar.

If you are REALLY trying to connect with these students to help them learn that they can trust you, do something with them outside of the regularly scheduled programming.

Spending time with students OUTSIDE of church or scheduled student related activities is key to nourishing your relationship. The more they know you, the more they will trust you. (hopefully)

It is my opinion that students should NOT be at your home every weekend - I am talking about once a week, going out with the students that are in need of some extra attention. (outside of church time)

If you do not protect your home and your marriage, you will have no ministry.

I have learned that calling a student to let them know you are thinking of them, sending cards to their home, inviting them out for a delicious dessert (and coffee) allows you the chance to just sit back and relax together. If you feel that you cannot keep the conversation going on your own, take a sanguine with you and enjoy a good laugh.

See you next week!

I woke up this morning and was reminded of the times that someone believed in me, if it wasn't my quiz coach, Kevin Hopper (my Uncle), or Natasha Carmine (my mom away from home who always tricked my brother and I with one "made-up" home remedy or another every chance she had), it was my Mom, my Dad, Pastor Wayne Trout, Sis. Janet Trout, James and Deidre Turner...the list goes on...

SOMEONE believed in me. At times, I think that is all it took. Knowing this, motivated me - I remember feeling like I could not let them down. I often thought, if THEY believe in me, surely I can muster up some belief in myself!

Dan and I recently had the opportunity to attend a new church and have been asked to teach the High School students, as needed, during their weekly class.

I hardly know these students, but the first thing I feel myself doing is... believing.

I begin to see who these students CAN BE and who they ARE RIGHT NOW.

If I keep believing, I will eventually SEE - how God can use them in tremendous ways.

Never give up on your students, because God never gave up on you.

See you next week!