5 Lies You’ve Been Told About Serving In Student Ministry:
1. I’m Too Old For That! Too old for what? Praying with students? Teaching them the Bible? Loving them? Showing up to a basketball game? Don’t buy this one…you’re not too old.
2. I Don’t Speak The Language of Teenagers Today. In our church, the primary language is “English.” Sure, teenagers say things like “YOLO” and “Cray Cray”…but that doesn’t mean they want you to say them! Trust me…when old people (and to a teenager, anyone over the age of 22 is old) try to “speak the language of teenagers today” they look silly. Stick with your John Wayne-isms.
3. I Don’t Really Have Time For Student Ministry. Ok, there might be some truth to this one. If you’re already serving in other areas and you legitimately don’t have time for StuMin, don’t do it. Seriously. We have too many burnouts serving across churches already. However, if you’re just using that phrase as a way to mask your disobedience, repent and get to work.
4. All You Guys Do Is Play Games. I Need To Be Fed. If you think all we do is play games and eat pizza then I invite you to join us at 5:30 every Wednesday night at 9:30 every Sunday morning. You don’t need to do anything, just show up…and come hungry for the Word.
5. Teenagers aren’t really my “thing” –Then pray for us. I’ve never met a person who committed to pray for students who was simultaneously able to maintain the thought that teenagers aren’t their thing. You’ll fall in love with them by praying for them. And believe me, we need your prayers!