{"id":32021,"date":"2022-09-10T15:53:06","date_gmt":"2022-09-10T20:53:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/5-things-i-wish-id-done-differently-as-a-student-pastor\/"},"modified":"2022-09-10T15:53:06","modified_gmt":"2022-09-10T20:53:06","slug":"5-things-i-wish-id-done-differently-as-a-student-pastor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/5-things-i-wish-id-done-differently-as-a-student-pastor\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Things I Wish I\u2019d Done Differently as a Student Pastor"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Eliott Reyna photo – Unsplash<\/div>\n

By Dustin Schadt<\/em><\/p>\n

As a 21-year-old with two months of marriage under my belt, fresh enrollment in seminary, and no children of our own, I became a student pastor.<\/p>\n

My pastor gave me a shot as a zealous young guy, and I\u2019m forever grateful. I made a lot of mistakes, learned, and pressed forward for 10 years in student ministry.<\/p>\n

In a new season of ministry, I\u2019ve been a lead pastor for five years, and my wife April and I have three of our own kids in student ministry, and one more not far behind.<\/p>\n

Looking back, I can think of five things that I would have done differently as a student pastor.<\/p>\n

1. Let parents know more I\u2019m praying for them, not just their students.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Parenting is tough, and knowing I have someone praying for me and my child would be tremendously encouraging.<\/p>\n

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Just the simple act of having someone who cares about my children looking me in the eye, with a hand on my shoulder, letting me know that they\u2019re praying for us would mean the world.<\/p>\n

One of the (many) jobs of a student pastor is to raise the perceived value of our church ministry in the eyes of parents. Few things do this faster than assurance of prayer for a family.<\/p>\n

2. Place a greater emphasis on teaching sound doctrine in a way students can understand and remember and help parents do the same.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Most parents want to do the right thing, but often lack an on-ramp to do so.<\/p>\n

As a young guy, I assumed parents didn\u2019t read the emails we sent or booklets we sent home. Some won\u2019t. But others will be deeply encouraged and equipped by helpful resources.<\/p>\n

Eleven years from now our youngest child will (Lord willing) graduate from high school. I don\u2019t know everything about the world he\u2019ll be launched into. But I do know the unchanging Word of God, and the better our children can remember, understand, and articulate their faith, the more they\u2019ll be equipped to face an ever-changing world.<\/p>\n

3. Talk about the practical and tactical stuff more often.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Don\u2019t shy away from topics like dating, gender issues, talking about your faith at school, living peacefully with parents\/teachers\/coaches are topics that press on students every day. I\u2019d spend more time humbly equipping parents to do the same.<\/p>\n

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See also  The Power of the Ordinary Moments<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Students are getting pounded by a worldview that is not only non-Christian, but often anti-Christian. By speaking in a memorable way to the pressing topics in their lives, I gain credibility with students and their families.<\/p>\n

At most, each student spends about three hours a week at church. That means we have to give them truth that will make an impact the other 165 hours of their weekly lives.<\/p>\n

4. Spend more time helping students learn how to share their faith, get practice, and live on mission.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Young people should see their parents modeling a life on mission at home, and student gatherings, mission trips, and the school campus are excellent laboratories for learning and growth outside the home.<\/p>\n

I\u2019d spend a lot less time crafting an attractive student ministry environment, and more time training an army of young missionaries.<\/p>\n

5. Never underestimate the power of another godly adult\u2019s influence.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Recruiting, training, deploying, and coaching adult volunteers in student ministry is not an easy task. But it is a vital one.<\/p>\n

A large portion of the health of your student ministry rises and falls on the health, maturity, and engagement of your team of adult leaders.<\/p>\n

I would never underestimate the impact of another godly adult looking into the eyes of a young person and saying, \u201cJesus loves you. I care about you. And everything is going to be OK.”<\/p>\n

If you could give advice to yourself as you started in ministry, what would you say?<\/em><\/p>\n

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Dustin Schadt<\/h2>\n

@dschadt<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Dustin is the pastor of Northside Church in Roswell, Georgia.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n