Many areas play a part in laying an effective foundation for student ministry. In a "big picture" perspective, youth ministers need to grow spiritually, lead ministries that lead students to Christ, lead ministries that make disciples and disciple makers, and attend to the details of day-to-day student ministry. On a smaller scale, there are three questions student ministers are seeking answers to.
What do I need to know? (The Cognitive/Learning Domain)
What do I need to believe? (The Affective/Feeling Domain)
What do I need to be able to do? (The Behavior/Doing Domain)
Because there is so much overlap when student ministry is viewed through these three domains, it can help to take a look at what essential skill sets are needed to lay the groundwork for effective ministry. Let's look at the first three skills that student ministers should seek to master.
Personal skills
Develop and consistently implement a Christian work ethic (hard work can cover a lot of weaknesses!).
Hard work to the neglect of your relationship with God and your family is a weakness.
Be able to articulate with clarity your call to ministry/student ministry.
Interact effectively with senior pastors, staff members, and church leaders.
Perceive yourself as part of the ministry team who leads the faith community.
Lead volunteers and/or interns.
Be aware of and implement a strategy for reducing personal and ministry-related risk.
Manage/medicate conflict.
See the need for and be able to stay refreshed spiritually.
People skills
Build relationships with teenagers and help teenagers build relationships with their peers, their families, and their leaders.
Provide short-term counseling for teenagers and adults. Understand the processes of helping individuals and groups in crisis, including referrals.
Enlist, train, and encourage adult volunteers who will help in the implementation of the youth ministry.
Help youth leaders and teenagers develop coping skills.
Leadership skills
Develop and articulate a vision for youth ministry in the local church.
Understand and interpret the youth culture, both locally and globally.
Design and implement need-based, ongoing educational programming that, through adult volunteers, addresses the basic functions of the church including Bible study, discipleship, ministry, worship, evangelism, and fellowship.
Discern both perceived and felt needs among youth in your region to direct relevant ministry. Perceived needs include: grounding in the doctrines considered essential by the local church: necessary life skills as seen by adults. Felt needs include: necessary life skills as seen by students, life skills suggested by current events.
Read Part 2 of this series to discover two additional skill areas for the effective student minister. A list of resources to help you grow as a student ministry leader is also included.