Philosophy of Student Ministry

The system of trust and community within a healthy student ministry produces three key aspects: kingdom expansion, character development, and cultural impact. With kingdom expansion, the healthy ministry of students goes beyond the boundaries of the local church. When students hear the gospel and respond to an invitation, they will take it into their neighborhood and school communities to reach the nations with the message of Christ. If leaders are faithful to the gospel and leading students to understand its world outreach purpose, God will take care of the growth in the life of each student. Second, character transformation occurs when discipleship and mentoring of students happens. Engaging students with the Word of God will allow them to be taught and challenged by the gospel, being transformed by His grace and mercy. Helping students to see their identity through the lens of God’s grace and not through their personal failures will help them to see the depth of their salvation when they see the depth of their sin. Ministry leaders desire to see transformation in the lives of each student through the power of Christ. Third, a healthy student ministry will produce students to be firm in standing on the Word to shape the culture. Students need to be reassured that they are capable of exerting Christ’s influence on the world (Psalm 8:1-2; 1 Corinthians 1:26-29).

Knowledge of the Word

An effective student ministry must first be centered around a faithful preaching and teaching of the Word of God. Students must be trained to never compromise on the writings of the inspired, infallible, and inerrant Word of God. Student minds must be nurtured to understand Scripture. Teaching biblical truth and how to apologetically defend it is the essence of effective preaching and teaching. Finally, leaving room for the Holy Spirit to move in the lives of the students will greatly impact the application. Train students to be confident and to share their faith through peer-evangelism is the goal of equipping students to do the work of ministry.

Commitment to Prayer

Students must understand to cast their dependence upon the Lord. Encouraging students to grow in their prayer lives will greatly change the world. Christ has called His church together. As prayer is to be first of all in ministry, it is as equally important within the life of the believer (2 Timothy 2:1).

Building Community and Service

There is value to be found in the ministry of reconciliation. Students are to be trained to take God’s love, compassion, and healing power into a broken world that is in desperate need of the gospel message. With each “community,” students will learn of the specific importance of individual mission in a hostile world, allowing God’s love to flow freely by example and deed.[1]

Intentionality of Relationships

The cultivation of deep, honest relationships with fellow believers is important to spiritual maturity. There is a greater importance for spiritual growth to be viewed within the context of the local church. This should be both structured and spontaneous in nature. It is important to understand the concept of “let’s do life…together.”[2] The structural element also greatly depends on the setting aside of regular meetings for spiritual growth to occur. Being spontaneous will encourage students to be intentional with their outreach. Since discipleship groups desire to follow Jesus on a deeper level, each individual member is there to make sure that others have the opportunity to follow Him as well.

Developing a Cultural Lifestyle of Worship

Developing a cultural lifestyle of worship is not dependent upon music. Therefore, we are to worship God with the lives that we lead. The essence of worship is to “bow down” and to be dependent upon the lifestyle that the believer leads. The lifestyle of worship, understandably, will not be an easy one, but the believer will rest assured that it will be worth it.

Knowledge of God and His truth are eternal. Striving to live as an effective worshipper and disciple within the context of society will help people to understand the need and purpose of a genuine relationship with Christ. Loving God and loving people are the two most significant principles to developing any form of student ministry philosophy.

[3]

[1] Steve Vandegriff and Richard Brown, Student Ministry Essentials: Reaching. Leading. Nurturing (Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2015), 58.

[2] Matthew Willmington, Professor, “PLED 302 Class Room Lecture,” 2018.

[3] Ibid.