The Burden of Student Ministry
At the time of this post, I’m just entering in my nineteenth year at my current student ministry position. To say the landscape of student ministry has changed over that time would be quite the understatement. In fact, the landscape has changed drastically within the last few years. It seems there’s more coming against students these days. That’s not really an accurate statement but it does feel that way. Some of this misconception comes from the speed information comes at them. While the digital age has come with some incredible opportunities, it’s put our teens in some precarious times. It’s not only the fact that most students have a phone in their pocket, it’s that they have a camera in their pocket, documenting both the great things of life but also the embarrassing. Where does this shift in student ministry land those of us that lead students?
I recognize that they’re a few in student ministry that look at student ministry as a “stepping stone” into other ministry roles but in my experience most in student ministry are there because they have a passion for it and are burdened to reach students. We desire to walk with teens through these tough things of life.
Galatians 6:2 ESV says, “Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
How do we bear these burdens, that seem so heavy for our students, alongside them? Let me offer some things for all of us in student ministry to weigh out for ourselves.
Firstly, we have recognize their world isn’t what our world was. That means we can’t offer them the same advice that we were given when we were teenagers. Words and phrases like “stressed out” and “anxious” seem to be hot buttons for so many teens. I’ve heard from so many adults that want to downplay the idea that these teens have reasons to feel this way. I won’t say I don’t understand this logic or even haven’t felt it myself at times. This is a burden for students, whether the adults in their lives agree or not. We can’t dismiss their feelings but what we can do is to come alongside them and help them process those emotions. Feelings must be validated and not corrected. Actions are wrong, feelings are not. Let’s have some honest conversations with them to why they feel what they feel and how to correctly navigate these things and in doing so, not only bearing that burden with them but teaching them to bear that burden themselves.
Another thing I’ve noticed that students are walking through, especially male teenagers, is the longing for emotional intimacy. Let me be clear on that word intimacy since it’s be somewhat hijacked, it’s just explaining a closeness. I’ve watched over the past few years during times of worship and prayer students gathering together and placing their arms around one another. I recognize that this is physical intimacy but it represents a deeper issue. Teenagers are wanting connection on a deeper level but not sure how to accomplish this. I truly believe the veneer of media, both social and television, has made it somewhat difficult. The line between what’s real and what’s not is blurred for many and the emotions attached are also confusing for many teenagers. This is another conversation (age and gender specific) we as youth leaders can help them navigate.
Lastly, a burden we can help them navigate is priorities. Much like the speed of information I talked about earlier, there seems to be more going on in the lives of our teens than in previous times. If you pause for a moment, it’s easy to see how all of these things mentioned are very connected. In most off the conversations I’ve had with students, the stress and anxiety they feel is linked to their schedule. In my opinion, I think the church has used the “put Christ first in your life” line too often. I understand what people mean by that but what if instead of making Christ something we tell students to move around on their shelves of life that we get students to understand to make Christ the shelf that everything in their life is placed up. This is in their school, team, club, family, and everything else their schedules involved. Let’s teach them not just the bible but how the bible applies to every aspect of life for them.
What burden that teenagers walk through have I missed? We have such an opportunity as youth leaders and pastors to help them navigate. This is the burden of student ministry, to make an impact in their lives for their future and their lives today.
Keep leading well! Stay the course, you have what it takes!