The Theology Behind Student Ministry

[Bro. Jeff]

The last time I posted a thread like this I got some healthy feedback so I wanted to bounce some more ideas off the people in this particular forum.

I've written a post/article about student ministry I'd like your feedback on. I ask because my general impression of the members who frequent this particular forum on baptistboard are at least interested in theology and generally well informed. I'm seeking educated opinions so I thought this the best place to post this request.

When you get time please swing by this link and let me know what you think about what I've written. You can comment there or reply to this thread. I would greatly appreciate any feedback - positive, negative, or otherwise.

Thank you very much.

 

[AVL1984]

Marking for future reference and reply....

 

[Bro. Jeff]

Anyone else?

 

[Ben W]

Seems like good work Jeff, would you use the term Chaplain?

 

[Bro. Jeff]

Originally posted by Ben W:
Seems like good work Jeff, would you use the term Chaplain?

Ben - sorry it's taken me so long to reply.

I'm not sure I understand the question - care to give some more clarification for a dullard like myself?

Thanks.

 

[Ben W]

Sure, in Schools here, the Christian Worker is called a Chaplain and has wages paid by local churches. Often they work as a counsellor or as a teachers aid. Often they are called in when a student is having personal problems.

My sister went to see her chaplain at High School, and she was encouraged to join in with the youth group at a local Baptist Church and she ended up joining the church and becoming born again, so I have nothing but good to say for School Chaplain's

 

[Bro. Jeff]

Originally posted by Ben W:
Sure, in Schools here, the Christian Worker is called a Chaplain and has wages paid by local churches. Often they work as a counsellor or as a teachers aid. Often they are called in when a student is having personal problems.

My sister went to see her chaplain at High School, and she was encouraged to join in with the youth group at a local Baptist Church and she ended up joining the church and becoming born again, so I have nothing but good to say for School Chaplain's

Ah. Now I see.

I tried to keep my views housed in the local church.

I'm sure their might be principles that could be pulled over in terms of execution but the office I specifically spoke of is one housed in a local church.

Hope that answers your question. Thanks for asking.

 

[Bible-boy]

Sounds good to me. I particularly agree with your view on who is qualified to be at Student Minister. If our churches take the time to find a man who meets the biblical requirements for being a pastor/elder then we will avoid the problems associated with simply finding some "young guy that the kids seem to like" and setting him up for failure. My point is that we don't have to put a young single or newly married guy, with no experience in raising kids and discipling teens, in the position just because that what most others churches have been doing.

 

[jshurley04]

The only thing that I would add and disagree with at the same time is that the position should be one of mentorship from Sr. Pastor to Youth Pastor. The Y.P. role does not have to be filled by experienced parents of teens to be effective. The Y.P. is perfect for the new minister with no experience who wants to make a difference. The fickleness of teens towards older adults often means that the younger, just out of Bible College minister will be accepted and given a hearing by the teens and actually allowed to minister.

Thought that it was good, otherwise.

 

[Plain Old Bill]

I think what you have done so far looks well thought out.I believe you said you are going to expand on those thoughts,if so I look forward to reading them.

 

[go2church]

You use Hebrerws 13:17 to proof-text pastoral "leadership"; yet the text clearly states leaders without any qualifiers.

This understanding allows the Senior Pastor to set (and maintain) the direction and priorities of the student ministry.

Why have a youth pastor at all if the senior pastor is going to be setting the direction and priorities?

Note: I would like to point out here that I firmly believe that the Student Minister should be amongst the most theologically trained members of the staff rather than the least as is common amongst the churches I’ve been in contact with. Considering the formative stages which the students they work with are in I believe it best to place before them a man of the Word who can shepherd them according to God’s Revelation.

Has the last line of this note clearly indicates. Please define Word and Revelation?

Also, I don't think you can have your cake and eat it too. If the youth pastor will be under the authority of the senior pastor, how can you justify excluding a women from the job? They would be under the authority of a man wouldn't they?

The whole "elder-leadership" thing is not something I would be a part of as pastor, staff or member/ attender.