First Sunday @ Fairhaven. First Sunday with Students.
August 9, 2009
Starting off at a new place is never easy.Speaking to students for the first time is not easy either.That being said—before I went to sleep last night—the above endeavor was on my mind.I knew that many if not most of the students at Fairhaven have never heard me speak.These same students have no idea what I stand for, and they have no idea what drives my daily to do the work called Student Ministry.
I thought today was a good day with the High School Students.I thought that for the first time—they were able to hear from me about the things that matter to me.
I am called to do a job called Student Ministry
I am responsible to the elder board and David Smith
I am here to build an effective Student Ministry
I love students because they were created in the image of God period.
I will not micro manage their relationship with Christ
I will give them opportunities weekly to engage God, the Savior, the Scriptures
These 6 important factors drive me.They cause me to soberly engage God, The Christ, The Spirit and the Scriptures so that I can offer newness to not only myself, but to the students and staff that God has entrusted to me.The value of the above?I am not about telling students how to do this thing called Following Christ "right"—at best-- I will help them to move forward from whereever they are at this time —I work very hard at trying to meet students where they are spiritually at any given time and to let the Spirit work deeply and to speak into the lives of Students. I know first hand listening to people tell me-- this is how to do it "right" only to find through the tough turns and twist-- highs and lows-- that nobody has a corner on that-- nobody-- David didn't do it right. Paul didn't do it right, Peter messed up-- c'mon-- students need the freedom to fail, the freedom to move forward for all the "right" reasons-- what are they-- Heb. 11.6
After all, this sojourn called Following Christ is just that—a sojourn.A journey, a process that I am not in charge of, nor am I responsible to fulfill.No, that is what the students must decide.They must be the ones that choose daily to Follow Christ.So I must provide for my students the reasons and the truth so they can make great choices toward Christ and thus to follow Him with all their heart, soul and mind.And when they do that—
They come to the second part of my purpose statement—to Love God and Love People.See, when a Student loves God with all his heart, mind and soul, they really have already decided which way they will follow.I will be there for help, but if they love God with all their heart, soul and mind—then they will ultimately—live out the second part of the purpose statement… To love people.That is right—think about it—when a person loves God, then living as unto God becomes their passion, their life, their world.
27He answered: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and 'Love your neighbor as yourself."
Luke 10.27
Think about it—when people love something—they live for it—nobody has to tell them to be passionate about it—no one—it becomes their passion, their life, what they are all about—same for God.When a person loves God with their all—really—think about how much do you have to tell them to do?Not much—just help in ways to do it.
Interesting that Jesus moves to the second area—Loving God produces loving people—really?Yes, really.The commandment to Love God and Love your neighbor is simply living out the first passion correctly.That is where this student ministry is headed.Loving God—not because mom and dad want a student to love God, but because a student knows the Christ by FAITH—and loves God through Christ—therefore producing a life being committed to that outcome—loving people.
Think about this.Students that aren’t micro managed daily by youth pastors and parents—but are seeking God to direct their lives because they love Him—so that when reaching people is talked about it—they don’t see it as #’s—they see it as reality—an awesome reality-- a bi-product of such a love and commitment to the Christ they follow with all thier heart, soul and mind-- produces lovers of humanity.
Funny—people will read that and think—pie in the sky—we still pay you to tell kids how to behave and live—and I say—oh yea—I have seen the above model lived out during all the years of Student ministry.That is right—I have seen it first hand—and practice that model with my own kids—and offer it to students because I love them because I love God.
If there are any doubters—that is cool.I will live this out—it will be a blast to watch students give their lives to Christ because they love Him and that turns into a ministry reaching friends. (I know hundreds of students) that love the Lord and are reaching thier friends-- not because I told them to-- nope! They love God and Love people all by themselves.
Can’t wait to get this bad boy rolling along.Lets go now!
Abba, I ask you this day to fill Don w ith the knowledge of Your will for Fairhaven's Student Ministries through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. Dennis and I pray this so that Don and Kevin and Dave may live a life worthy of You and may please You in every way: bearing fruit in every good work and growing in their knowledge of YOU, being strengthened with all power according to Your glorious might so they all will have great endurace and patience, joyfully giving thanks Abba.
Blessings upon your new week of God's Work, watching for Him and joining Him there, that takes prayer!
Sincerely Serving Him along side of your team,
Dennis and Lisa
