"WHERE WE ARE AND WHERE WE ARE GOING"

>>>This has been a year of ups and downs-and several learning curves in between.

>>>This ministry is different than what I have been used to. There are different students, different dynamics, different church culture.

>>>(Challenges and Victories)

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WHERE WE ARE

>>>(Illust.) (Chairs lined up with signs)

>>>Here is where I think we stand today-how I would describe the student dynamic. There are saved students and unsaved students. Unsaved are the majority.

*Not Saved (Hardened)-These are students who are not saved, know they are not saved, and don’t care to be saved. Youth Group is more of a place to hang out.

*Not Saved (Searching)-These are students who do not know if they are saved or know for sure they are not. But they are still “figuring it out”. They come and participate and are wanting to know.

*Saved (Wanting to Grow)-There is a major jump to students who are not just saved but are saved and really wanting to grow. They are coming to truly follow Jesus and participate in all the “fun” and “serious” things they do.

>>>Majority unsaved (hardened/searching), those wanting to go deeper, NHBC middle schoolers moving up, etc. What do we do with this?

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WHERE WE ARE GOING

>>>Everything needs to flow through the core values and mission statement of the Youth Group (4G’s/Pursue/Stick With/Experience Life in Jesus).

>>>Right now we are a group dominated by HS guys (and guys in general). I want to see growth in middle school ministry as well as a girls’ ministry.

*The girl needs to feel safe while at youth group.

*The boy needs to feel included and be positively influenced.

>>>To provide a clear structure of our youth group, there are new policies that are being created. They will be introduced over the summer and officially implemented at the beginning of next school year.

*These are not a bunch of rules as well as some barriers in place to make sure our youth group is a safe, fun, and ultimately spiritual environment (Rough drafts on front desk to see direction).

*Addresses conduct on campus, participation, respect of services, students w/licences, dating, and when it goes too far (dismissal).

>>>Spiritually speaking, where do we go?

*Henry Blackaby: “Where God is working, that is an invitation to join in.”

*Jeff Carney: “Run with the runners”

*Pastor Stan: “List all students and grades and find out where there is momentum and invest in the momentum.”

*This does not mean ignoring people who do not meet this criteria but emphasize those who do.

>>>Where is the momentum?

*First: Momentum is happening with the believers wanting to grow (don’t get a big head). There is much evidence that God is at work in their lives, and we need to do our part in fanning the flame.

*The Youth Group has to be about them growing in their faith. While we don’t ignore other, it will “tilt” their way. (Upcoming Series:“Philemon”/“Growth Spurt”/“Going”)

*Second: Momentum is happening with those who are not saved but still come to hear about Jesus. God is really pursuing them, but the devil is trying to get in the way.

*The Youth Group has to be a place where they can come and hear the gospel. We want to build relationships with them so they learn to follow Jesus. Believing students can help with this.

>>>None of this is to ignore or dismiss students who are not in these groups. However, it is hard to preach the gospel message to people who do not want to hear the gospel message.

>>>All events have been and will be evaluated to see if they are pushing us forward in our goal. Some things may be cut (part of revitalization).’

>>>Things need to have the focus up building up disciples and inviting others into a relationship with Jesus. This is going to be the direction of the youth group.

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>>>There are some passages to read from Scripture for all three groups.

1 Thessalonians 4:1 “Finally then, brothers and sisters, we request and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received instruction from us as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you excel even more.”

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John 4:3–7 “He left Judea and went away again to Galilee. And He had to pass through Samaria. So He came to a city of Samaria called Sychar, near the parcel of land that Jacob gave to his son Joseph; and Jacob’s well was there. So Jesus, tired from His journey, was just sitting by the well. It was about the sixth hour. A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink.””

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