As I write this, I\u2019m sitting in the first morning session at Youth Leadership Camp at Wayland Baptist University. I have the privilege of teaching 9th and 10th graders with our student minister this week.<\/p>\n
I do need to mention at this point that I spent several years in youth ministry. My wife and I teach an 11th and 12th grade Sunday School class. I also have two teenagers, who just so happen to be in the group I\u2019m leading this week. So, investing in student ministry is personal for me. But, in the rest of this post, I\u2019m going to argue that being involved in student ministry should be personal for every<\/em> pastor.<\/p>\n Now please don\u2019t hear what I\u2019m not<\/em> saying. I\u2019m not saying that you need to personally teach high school Sunday school or teach the youth Wednesday night Bible study every week. Depending on your role at your church, you may be able to do that. Most likely, you have either a student minister or volunteers who can lead in these areas on a weekly basis.<\/p>\n Here are four simple ways you can be involved in your church\u2019s student ministry.<\/p>\n 1. Teach in your youth ministry from time to time<\/strong><\/p>\n On a somewhat regular basis (think once a quarter or so), ask your youth minister or volunteers if you can teach the students. This will allow you the opportunity to interact with the students \u201con their turf.\u201d If they can get to know you as the pastor outside of just your Sunday morning sermon, they will come to know you as their<\/em> pastor, not just the pastor of the church where they attend. Maybe even come in and give the students a chance to \u201cAsk the Pastor Anything,\u201d where they can ask you questions about life and faith.<\/p>\n 2. Take your students to camp<\/strong><\/p>\n If you can attend the whole week with them, great! If not, take the opportunity to drive them to and from camp (if it\u2019s within a distance that makes sense). Even if you\u2019re not available to attend for the whole week, maybe you could drop in for a meal and a worship service. If none of these options are available to you, you could at least send a video encouraging your students and letting them know that you and the church are praying for them as they attend camp.<\/p>\n 3. Attend students\u2019 activities<\/strong><\/p>\n Get your local schools\u2019 schedules for athletics and other activities. Find out the activities your students are involved in, then attend some throughout the school year. If you pastor in a small town, it\u2019s likely that a good portion of your congregation will be at the football game on Friday night, or a volleyball or basketball game on Tuesday night. Outside of sports, attend other activities. If you can be visible, it will give you a chance to interact with your folks outside of Sunday morning. It will also give you the opportunity to interact with and encourage your church\u2019s students outside of just Sunday morning.<\/p>\n