As a young student pastor, I asked a mentor this simple question, “How do you keep high school students engaged in church, both now and after they graduate?” Two hours later he stopped talking, but his answer can be summarized by this simple statement, “You need to give them a reason to stay that is bigger than themselves and connects them to the heart of God.” This is no small task, but clearly the heart of God is seen in Jesus’ words about himself that he came to “seek and save the lost” AND in his final, personal words to his disciples instructing them to go, make disciples, teach obedience and baptize those that believe AND in James’ words instructing Christ followers to look after orphans and widows in their distress.
Therefore, our challenge as the church at Swift Creek is to create a culture where mission is as normal for the student as is corporate worship, connect groups, youth camps, or Sunday dinners. Here are 8 steps toward this goal. My thanks to Pastor Mark for offering his insight into this topic.
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Preach and teach a biblical theology of mission from God’s Word, allowing students to see for themselves God’s heart for making disciples of all nations, and helping them see the authoritative call of Christ on their lives to participate in the mission of God.
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Start a mission trip savings account for every child at the time of their baby dedication, with the church making the first deposit. Parents, grandparents, and others will add to this so by the time the child is in high school, funding is not a barrier to their going on an overseas mission trip.
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Teach children and students to give generously. Abby had saved $32.20 for her family vacation. When Covid 19 prevented her family from traveling, 11-year-old Abby gave it to support missionaries, never thinking that her $32.20 would inspire others to give and grow into over $13,000 (as of September 15). When asked what she would say to others considering giving, Abby responded “Even if what you have to give is just really small, all you have to do is give it to Jesus,” Abby said. “It’s not your job to make it into a whole bunch of money. … It’s just your job to give.” Learn more about Abby’s Challenge.
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Integrate middle and high school students into the overall mission strategy of the church by providing:
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Multiple local service opportunities every year
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A significant mission experience in the US each year
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At least one international mission opportunity while they are in high school
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Challenge every college student to spend a summer or semester on mission and support them prayerfully and financially.
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Encourage and equip students to have gospel conversations each week. Modeled within families and reinforced in connect groups and worship, sharing the gospel will become the norm.
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Introduce every family to the nations that God has brought to the greater Richmond area by dining in ethnic restaurants, worshipping in a non-English speaking congregation or exploring compassion ministry opportunities through the SBC of Virginia. The home can be a missions’ “hub” and parents can show their excitement about the mission of God.
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Pray that God would call out our students to serve as pastors, missionaries, and market professionals so that all peoples will have an opportunity to hear the Gospel. As one writer put it, “placing tens of thousands of students in front-line mission roles will not increase the number of students God calls to ministry vocations. God’s call is sovereign and doesn’t waver. But involving students in ministry opportunities will dramatically increase those who will hear the call that has been there all along.”
JD Greer, pastor of Summit Church in North Carolina, writes that the success of a church should not be measured by its’ “seating capacity” but instead by its’ “sending capacity”. Which one will we be known by?