My Daughter just popped in and in forty five seconds shared a piece of her heart. She had just worked on her schools “EDP”, short for, "educational development plan"and shared the results; the potential career paths offered to her by the information gathered.
I love being available for my kids in the course of their day. I love interacting with them in venues that allow deep touches to their souls that aren’t “scary” or confrontational. This was one of those moments. In those 45 seconds we spoke of the big things that motivate her and the general pieces of each of those life paths. I could tell as she ran across the hall to her next class, she had taken the thoughts with her. The biggest thing I took away was a reminder to connect the hopes, dreams and passions of a 14-year-old girl to God; His hopes plans, dreams, and mission for His highest creation.
Your ministry’s goal is not to get more students involved in your “contrived” programs; all programs not directed by life are contrived, which covers about 95% of what we do in typical ministry. Your ministry’s goal is not to please your boss, be it a senior pastor, executive pastor or a board member. (If you are keeping first things first and all share the same goal these should happen, they’re just not primary.) Your number one goal in introducing students to the Creator of the universe, seeing them reconciled to Him through His son, is to reconcile their original design to His. This design is what drives their passions, dreams and desires. They simply have no ability apart from life in Christ and all He has orchestrated to achieve it! His orchestration covers all we typically invest in; a morally changed life, bible study and prayer, church attendance, service, and genuine respect for authority (that honor your mother and father thing).
What goals have you set for your ministry this year? Do they support and facilitate the “main thing”; students, people reflecting the glory of God in all they (specific to them) do?
What goals have you set for your ministry this year? Do they support and facilitate the “main thing”; students, people reflecting the glory of God in all they (specific to them) do?
Help them discover their design and application!
Do this and it will be one of the greatest evangelism tools you ever invested in!
“… let your light shine (live your life) before men, so that they may see your good works (Eph 2:10, Psalm 139) and give glory to your Father in heaven.” Matt. 5:16
