Hope” the student ministry at ridge avenue Baptist church
1-What Is Student Leadership?
Contents:
2-What Is Student Leadership?
- Jesus expected leaders to serve
- What is the difference between committed students and student leadership?
3-What Is a Student Leader Committed to?
- Committed to a relationship with Christ
- Committed to growing in Christ
- Committed to serving because of Christ
- Committed to living a “No-Doubt” lifestyle
- Committed to Friendship Evangelism
- Committed to the Student Ministry
4-High Requirements have High Rewards
- To the Parents
- What parents can expect from our Student Ministry staff
5-Two Pictures Of A Student Leader
- Profile of a Student Leader who is living a “No-Doubt” lifestyle
- Portrait of a Student Leader who is committed to the Student Ministry
- How to become a Student Leader
6-What is a Testimony?
Example of a Testimony
Writing Out Your Personal Testimony
Student Leader Application
- Student Leader Questions
- Student Leadership Survey
Student Leader Application
What Is Student Leadership?
Jesus expected leaders to serve
Jesus gave his disciples an image of leadership that we will use as our standard for student leadership within our student ministry.
Jesus called them [the disciples] together and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave--just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” – Matt 20:25-28
Not only did Jesus shatter an existing leadership style (being in charge), but he lays out a prescription of a leader that reflects serving others. Serving others is how we define ministry.
This type of servant-leadership is not attractive to most people. It goes in direct opposition to the attitude of running to the car to ride in the front seat and being first in line to eat. But this is the type of servant standard we want reflected by our student leadership.
What is the Difference between a Core Student and Student Leadership?
Students who make up the core of the student ministry attend our weekly programs and attend various student ministry events. Every person who desires to be a student leader is in the core, but not every core student is a student leader.
Student leadership is a ministry designed specifically for core students who are willing the make the extra commitments to fulfill the student ministry’s purpose. We view student leadership on a similar level to our staff. Student leaders are part of our student ministry staff.
What Is a Student Leader Committed To?
Committed to a Relationship with Christ
I acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord (King) in my life and I have a personal relationship with him
Committed to Growing in Christ
I am committing to spiritual growth through involvement with student small cell groups (Sunday’s at 6:00pm)
I am committing to spiritual growth through the habits of:
Consistent quiet times (prayer)
Accountability with another believer
Memorization of scripture
Involvement within the church body
Giving – (my finances and my time)
Personal Bible Study
Committed to Serving Because of Christ
I am committing to contributing to or leading a ministry on a consistent basis
Committed to Living a “No Doubt about it” Lifestyle
I am committing to choices, lifestyle, and attitudes that are godly, knowing that my leadership is a model for other students
Committed to Friendship Evangelism
I am committing to Friendship Evangelism, and bringing my friends to appropriate programs
Committed to the Student Ministry
I am committing to attend the student worship service and student small groups and to greet other students in order to create a warm environment (Sundays @ 9:00 am, Wednesdays @ 6:30 p.m.)
I am committing to attend the a monthly student leadership group meeting
(first Monday of each month @ 6:00 pm)
I am committing to understand the purpose statement of the Student Ministry and to memorize it.
High Requirements Have High Rewards
We’re asking a lot from student leaders and because of this, we realize leadership isn’t for everyone. Many people won’t want to rise to the high level of commitment we are expecting. Others might not have enough time to commit to attending discipleship group, student worship and student small groups. If student leadership isn’t for you, don’t worry about it. Not being involved in student leadership isn’t necessarily a measure of your spiritual maturity. We are committed to you and want to help you continue to grow spiritually regardless of your involvement.
Although we’re asking for a considerable commitment from our student leaders, there are also benefits. Student leadership has high requirements, but it also has high rewards. Part of the high reward student leaders receive is more intense and personal time with the student ministry staff. We want to invest in the lives of our leaders. As you serve over time, you may be eligible to attend workshops, seminars, conferences or even weekend retreats with the student ministry staff.
To The Parents
We are especially concerned about the family life of our student leaders. We don’t want to create a ton of programs to keep students out every night of the week. Spiritual growth does not necessarily require sacrificing family time and commitments.
As far as a time commitment, we’re asking our leadership students to be out basically one night during the week to attend the student worship service on Wednesday evenings, to attend a monthly leadership meeting (two hours) that will be held on the first Monday of each month, and normal Sunday morning bible study and Sunday morning corporate services. We know things do come up from time to time and a student may not be able to attend EVERYTHING. But, most things they will be required to attend. We ask that you call the student minister direct and let him know that you are requesting “time off” for your child.
What parents can expect from our Student Ministry staff:
1. We will Model Christian leadership for your kids.
2. We will Mentor them in their leadership development.
3. We will Monitor their growth as student leaders.
4. We will Motivate them through encouragement and feedback.
5. We will encourage them to Multiply by sharing their giftedness and talents with others.
Once your son or daughter has filled out the application and gone through the interview, we will contact you to make sure you understand and can support the commitments we are looking for.
Two Pictures of a Student Leader
Profile of a Student Leader Who is Living a “No Doubt about it” Lifestyle
Accepting of others
Accountable to another Christian
Authentic and transparent
Encouraging
Faithful with the small things
Genuinely friendly
Growing spiritually
Helpful and serving
Honoring God by consistently choosing God’s way over the world’s way
Humble
Love for life
Positive attitude
Proud to be a devoted follower of Christ
Role model of a Christian student
Portrait of a Student Leader Who is Committed to the Student Ministry
Acts as a campus pastor at school
Is committed to the unity of our youth ministry and feels a sense of ownership in the ministry
Follows up on weekend visitors and other students when back on campus
Greets at the student worship service and other programs
Is involved in all of our major events
Looks out for loners and visitors
Meets with other student leaders to pray for their campuses
Models appropriate program behavior
Is on the lookout for opportunities to serve
Solves youth ministry problems without complaining
Speaks highly of staff and other student leaders
Understands the purposes of why we do what we do
How To Become A Student Leader
1. Prayerfully consider all the student leader commitments
2. Talk with your family and evaluate the commitments
3. Complete the Student Leadership Team Application & Survey
4. Turn in your application and schedule an interview with Tim. He’s the awesome guy who put this whole idea thing together. He’s pretty sharp huh?
What is a Testimony?
When we commit ourselves to Jesus, a change takes place in our lives. This changed-life story is what is known as a testimony. “Testimony” means sharing how your relationship with Jesus has impacted your life. The Bible tells us that when we become Christians our “old” self is put in the past and that we are made new because of Christ. The process of being “made new” is what a testimony reveals.
Testimony comes from the word testify. You might recognize this term as something that a witness in a court might give – they “testify” as to what they know or what they saw. When you share about what Christ has done in your life you are testifying to His presence.
Telling the story of Christ in your life is part of reaching out to others by telling them about God. You don’t need to be a Super-Christian to give your testimony, and your story doesn’t need to be flashy or dramatic; you only need to have a desire to tell others about God in your life and a commitment to living God’s way.
Here is an example of a personal testimony:
The Apostle Paul
One of the privileges and responsibilities of Christians is to share our faith in Christ with other people. Although many methods and plans can be used to communicate our faith, none is more effective than sharing how the love, grace, and mercy of Christ has changed our lives.
People we witness to may evade issues, attempt to discredit Biblical and historical facts, or blame their condition on others. But it’s hard to discount the authentic testimony of a believer whose life has been transformed.
Completing the worksheet will better equip you to give a more logical and organized presentation of who Jesus Christ is and what he has done in YOUR life. Use the story of Paul’s conversion as a pattern for your testimony.
Read the Bible text: Acts 26:1-23
Paul’s attitudes and actions before his conversion –VV. 1-11
• Lived as a Pharisee – v. 5 (Gal. 1:13-14)
• Imprisoned many saints – v. 10
• Condoned the deaths of many saints-v. 10
• Persecuted Christians – v. 11
Circumstances surrounding Paul’s Conversion – VV. 12-18
• Where was he going?
• What time was it?
• What did he see?
• Who was with him?
• What did he hear?
(Read 2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 6:15)
Changes in Paul’s attitudes and actions after his conversion- vs. 19-23
What evidence of Paul’s repentance and conversion can be found in the following verses:
• Verse 19 -
• Verse 20 -
• Verse 21 -
• Verse 22,23 -
(Read 1 John 1:5-9; 2:3-6)
Writing Out Your Personal Testimony
Attitudes and actions before I became a Christian
If appropriate, include family or church background.
Circumstances surrounding my conversion
Consider time, place, important people, motivation, emotional state, etc. This is a natural place to summarize the gospel: the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Changes in my attitudes and actions since my conversion
Be enthusiastic and realistic! Paint a true picture of your new life, share your victories and let everyone know you’re not perfect.
Miscellaneous Comments
If there’s anything else you’d like to say, write it here.
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Student Leadership
Team Application
Please Print
Name:
Parents:
Address:
Phone: Home cell
E-mail: @
Please type your answers to all of the following questions
1. Why do you want to be in student leadership?
2. How would your non-Christian friends describe your relationship with God?
3. How would your Christian friends describe your relationship with God?
4. How would your parents describe your relationship with God?
5. How is your “friendship evangelism” going?
6. What is your testimony of becoming a Christian?
What is your testimony about what God is doing in your life now?
Student Leadership Survey
How would you rate yourself on the following expectations for student leaders?
Some of these you may not even be doing yet, so don’t feel bad if you aren’t doing great on all of the expectations! (1=need a little help, 5=doing great)
No Doubt: Lifestyle:
Accepting of others 1 2 3 4 5
Accountable to another Christian 1 2 3 4 5
Authentic and transparent 1 2 3 4 5
Encouraging 1 2 3 4 5
Faithful with the small things 1 2 3 4 5
Genuinely friendly 1 2 3 4 5
Growing spiritually 1 2 3 4 5
Helpful and serving 1 2 3 4 5
Honoring God by consistently 1 2 3 4 5
Choosing God’s way over the world’s way 1 2 3 4 5
Humble 1 2 3 4 5
Love for life 1 2 3 4 5
Positive attitude 1 2 3 4 5
Proud to be a devoted follower of Christ 1 2 3 4 5
Role model of a Christian student 1 2 3 4 5
Servant Minister:
Acts as a campus pastor at school 1 2 3 4 5
Committed to the unity of our student ministry 1 2 3 4 5
Feels a sense of ownership in the ministry 1 2 3 4 5
Follows-up with visitors and students when back on campus 1 2 3 4 5
Greets at Worship Services and other programs 1 2 3 4 5
Is involved in all of our major events 1 2 3 4 5
Looks out for loners and visitors 1 2 3 4 5
Meets with other student leaders to pray for their campuses 1 2 3 4 5
Models appropriate program behavior 1 2 3 4 5
Is on the look-out for opportunities to serve 1 2 3 4 5
Oversees and encourages at least one Ministry team 1 2 3 4 5
Solves youth ministry problems without complaining 1 2 3 4 5
Speaks highly of staff and other student leaders 1 2 3 4 5
Understands the purposes of why we do what we do 1 2 3 4 5
