PURPOSE OF HIGHLAND BAPTIST
STUDENT MINISTRIES
“HIGHLAND BAPTIST CHURCH STUDENT MINISTRY EXISTS IN ORDER PROVIDE A CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE YOUTH MINISTRY PROGRAM IN WHICH EVERY STUDENT CAN COME, HEAR THE GOSPEL AND HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPIRITUALLY MATURE THROUGH BIBLE STUDY, PRAYER, FELLOWSHIP, LISTENING, DISCUSSION, TEACHING AND MISSION. HBC STUDENT MINISTRY VIEWS PARENTS AS THE CHIEF AND PRIMARY SPIRITUAL INFLUENCERS ON THE LIFE OF A YOUNG PERSON. HBC STUDENT MINISTRY DOES NOT SEEK TO BE THE PRIMARY PLACE OF EVANGELISM, DISCIPLESHIP OR MINISTRY TO THE ADOLESCENT; THIS ROLE IS BIBLICALLY RESERVED FOR PARENTS. HBCSM SEEKS TO BE A MINISTRY RESOURCE TOOL WHICH PARENTS SHOULD UTILIZE IN THE PROCESS OF ‘TRAINING A CHILD IN THE WAYS THEY SHOULD GO’ FOR THE GLORY OF GOD IN ALL THINGS.”
LINKS
The Center for Parent/Youth Understanding
ParentTeen
Simply Youth Ministry
LifeWay Student Ministry Home Page
The International Center for Youth Ministry of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
English Standard Version Translation
Mystudybible.com
The Task (International Mission Board’s Student Page)
5 LEVELS OF PROGRAMMING FOR
HBC STUDENT MINISTRY
Level 1: Relationship Building
Relationships are one of the most important aspects in fostering a growing, vibrant, healthy youth ministry. At this level, there could be an event such as SixFlags, bowling, volleyball tournament, shopping trip to the mall, etc. The only responsibility for the student is to Come and See. The youth pastor/adults’ responsibility is to Come, Enjoy and Supervise. Basically, at this level, the primary role for the youth pastor or any adult is to foster, seek, and grow relationships with students. This is most often done outside the walls of the church in a neutral, non-threatening atmosphere in which churched students feel the most freedom to bring their non-churched friends.
At this level the Gospel is not given, there is no Bible study or organized worship service. The only thing to be done, at this particular level, is to foster relationships and enjoy each other’s company. However, this does not mean that if a student decides to bring up the topic of faith, salvation, God, etc., in the course of the trip that it should be ignored. If a student brings this topic up or wishes to talk about the church and/or the youth ministry they are free to do so. At a Level 1 event, relationships are key and are the desired end for the event. The event is to bring about interest in the people who attend and run the youth ministry in a neutral environment for church and non-churched students alike. Out of the five levels of youth ministry, this event will draw the most young people to its event. This event will draw Christians students and non-Christian students alike.
Level 2: Evangelistic Outreach
This is the second level of youth ministry that involves an element of a Level 1 event but takes it one step further. At this level, the student responsibility is to Come and Hear. The youth pastor/adults‘ responsibility is to Enjoy, Supervise, and Be Available for Conversation. A Level 2 event could be something like a Christian Festival/concert, etc. This event is to foster relationships with students in a fun, energetic environment where the Gospel is also presented.
Again, going along with the Christian concert idea: If a student were to enjoy hard rock, a level 2 for this student would be going to a Skillet concert and hearing some great hard rock where the Gospel and message of Christ is presented. This is the level that most Christian youth outings operate. While this event will perhaps draw some non-churched students, the greatest number of students in attendance will be churched youth who are looking for a level 1 “feel” but with a little more depth and opportunity to grow in their faith. This event will draw mainly Christian students and non -Christian students who enjoy a particular type of music or were strongly encouraged to come by a friend in the youth ministry.
Level 3: Bible Study
On the third level of student ministry, the youth pastor teaches more and does less “fun and show”. The third level involves more Bible study and investigation of their faith. At this level, while not all will be, the youth pastor and adults can assume that most have a working knowledge of Christianity and are Christians themselves. The responsibility for the student at this level is the Come and Learn. The youth pastor/adults’ responsibility is to Come, Supervise, Learn, and Be Available for Conversation.
The typical format of Sunday school and Wednesday night Bible study is set up as a level three event with times for prayer, community as well as the core of the evening, Bible Study. While this will be a highly attended youth function due to it being the primary activity of the youth ministry, most of the youth will be Christians with visitors being students who were invited by other students within the youth ministry. Again, unlike the previous levels, at level three, the youth pastor assumes for the most part, that the students have basic Bible understanding and are Christians as well and teaches as such.
Level 4: Leadership Development
At this level, intense discipleship begins. The number of students who operate at this level is small and usually consists of a group numbering under 10. The students who are functioning at this level of the youth ministry are learning a specific area of a ministry, i.e. worship band, sound, video, learning how to do youth ministry/pastor ministry themselves. These are the students working underneath the direct supervision of the youth pastor or youth pastor appointed adult. The responsibility for the student at this level is to make a commitment to a ministry, be involved in direct mentoring, be a consistent Christian example in their school, giving of their talents in as well as attending a minimum of 45 Sundays (Wednesdays) per calendar year. Commitment and calling are the strongest attributes of students at this level of youth ministry. The youth pastor/adults’ responsibility is the mentor, disciple, teach, give supervision, and provide a venue for service. This group of students will be small, all committed believers, who feel a call on their lives to give to their student ministry/church in their area of giftedness.
Level 5: Leadership Reproduction
This is the highest level of youth ministry where a student assumes the mentoring role of a younger student in the youth ministry. For instance, if a senior high worship band drummer mentors a 7th grade drummer wishing to play in the worship band he is operating at Level 5. This is one-on-one mentoring under the director supervision and guidance of the youth pastor. Boys will always mentor other young men, and girls will always mentor other young women. Never, under ANY circumstances will their be a mentor/mentee relationship between members of the opposite sex.
The responsibility for the student at this level is the guide, love, instruct, be an example and exude Christ-likeness and patience with their younger student. The youth pastor/adults’ responsibility is to direct, supervise, encourage, guide, and pray for his student mentor. This group is the smallest group – 3 – the youth pastor, the student mentor, and the student learner. This is also to reflect the smallest inner circle o discipleship Jesus had with his closest disciples.
At this point, students are doing the work of the ministry God has called them, to disciple and train up the next generation of Christian witness, which is the end goal of youth ministry.
© Rev. Stephen M. Keene, B.S., M.A.C.E.
Minister to Students – Highland Baptist Church, Tullahoma, TN
Q & A REGARDING SCRIPTURE
Q. DOES PASTOR STEPHEN FULLY AFFIRM THE INERRANCY,
INFALLIBILITY AND INSPIRATION OF THE SCRIPTURES BY THE HOLY SPIRIT?
A. YES.
Q. WHAT BIBLE DOES PASTOR STEPHEN TEACH FROM?
A. PASTOR STEPHEN TEACHES FROM THE ENGLISH STANDARD VERSION OF THE BIBLE.
Q. WHAT SPECIFICALLY IS THE ENGLISH STANDARD VERSION?
A. www.esv.org/esv/translation/about/
Q. HOW ACCURATE AND TRUSTWORTHY IS THE ENGLISH STANDARD VERSION?
A. www.esv.org/esv/scholarship/trusted-scholarship/
www.esv.org/esv/scholarship/translation-oversight-committee/
DOWNLOAD A PDF OF THE ESV STUDENT STUDY BIBLE SAMPLER
static.crossway.org/excerpt/student-study-bible/student-study-bible-sampler-download.pdf
DOWNLOAD A SAMPLE OF THE INTERIOR:
static.crossway.org/excerpt/student-study-bible/student-study-bible-sampler-download.pdf