The first time I interviewed for a student ministry position I was asked about my "ministry philosophy". To be honest I had no idea what to say. It came out as "love Jesus and love kids". Not a horrible answer but incomplete if you're going to have a student ministry with more than 6 students.
Believe it or not I got the job.
A couple of years later my ministry philosophy was shaped and sharpened by a simple strategy called "Jesus Focused Youth Ministry". JFYM isn't a program or event, but an overall student ministry strategy based on the ministry of Jesus.
There's much I love about JFYM but here are two highlights...
It starts with the leader's connection with Jesus
The first time I heard Barry St. Clair talk about the importance of the leader connecting with Jesus through prayer and repentance it wrecked me. As a young youth pastor I knew how important this was but to make my connection with Jesus an integral part of my student ministry strategy made total sense. God used this time not only to grow me up as a pastor, but also as a dad, husband and man.
It focuses on multiplication
I desperately needed to be challenged that one person couldn't single handedly reach and deepen every student. That's not the way Jesus did ministry. Hearing that God could and would use other leaders set me free to seek out and equip other ADULTS. It wasn't about going from event to event but about investing in those who would invest in others.
With this change of approach my student ministry began to grow. It grew in breadth and depth.
If you're looking to get off the treadmill of event driven ministry and develop a strategy that invests deeply in adult leaders and students check out JFYM. It will make a difference in your ministry and for the Kingdom.
Reach Out Youth Solutions
If you have any questions let me know.
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