Having Vision

Having Vision...

What is your vision for your student ministry? What are you planning for? To often in this day and time student ministries tend to run week to week, never really thinking beyond next summer or in many cases next week! To many ministries struggle in trying make the plan work, why? I believe it is a lack of vision! Student ministry leaders must know the direction they are headed. Leadership requires a road map that clearly points out the direction your ministry is going. Someone once said “failing to plan is like planning to fail.” In planning, there are several key objectives that cannot be overlooked. First you as the Student Pastor must know the direction you going. You must spend time in prayer, asking God for clarity and direction. Second, you (the leader) also need to spend ample time in the word! I know what you are thinking, how much time is ample time? That depends on you and God! The key is that you must have some sort of systematic study that keeps you firmly planted in the word of God. You also need accountability. There are so many lame student ministries in the world today because of lame student ministers. I have traveled to many states and had the opportunity to see many student ministries. So many of those serving in ministry need to reevaluate their call, and go to work! Student Ministry is not a place to cruise. It is one of the ministries within the church that has a front door and a back door and the clock is always ticking! Your students come in in the sixth or seventh grade and before you know it you are recognizing them in a graduates service. Timing is critical! Accountability makes it easier for you to do the work that god has called you to do! We all need someone in our lives to help us stay on track and to ask us the tough questions. In my life, I perform better when I know that I am going to be held accountable, Vision for student ministry is critical. Andy Stanley says, "Your ministry is perfectly designed to achieve the results you are currently getting." Are you happy with the results you are getting? If not, you must then rethink your vision. Some times God changes our vision or maybe our location. These are exciting times when you can spend time with God searching for direction for your new ministry. In cases where you transition in to an existing ministry, you owe it to those who are serving to allow some time, before drastic changes are made! You must take time and get to know those who are serving and in leadership. You must then begin to develop relationships and also begin to communicate your vision for the ministry. Abrupt changes often confuse students and hurts ministry. I am not against change, I just believe timing is essential. Many times the students are already dealing with enough trauma depending on how close they were with the last minister/leader and how much time has elapsed without leadership. In communicating your vision, you must allow input. Leaders who are in place often times have developed strong relationships with those who you will lead so communicating your vision is critical. Training is essential, your leadership team must know your expectations and you can accomplish this through training. In my current ministry, I looked ahead on the calendar and prayed about the time that I would like to have my leadership plan in place and for the most part I am right on schedule. I am currently in the honing mode, I am making adjustments and I am communication my vision. Vision also requires you to evaluate the people on your team in leadership. Leaders on the team that are not buying into your vision have to be dealt with. Leadership is not always easy and some times to move forward you have to cut personnel who are not moving in the direction you are leading. Having vision for your ministry requires you to keep the overall picture in focus! Over the next several weeks I will address planning and vision. Praying for you all! <><