ReThinking Student Ministry - Let's Try Something New

OK – so how do we create a model for student ministry that fits with New City’s values of worship, community, mission, and theology and in a way that also values diversity and Titus 2 older/younger ministry AND fits with our current cultural context?  Not only is that a long sentence, but it is a very BIG question!  In fact, it is a question that we expect to ask over and over and over again as we constantly evaluate and re-evaluate how well we are doing with our mission – to see the gospel transform everything within our reach.

Here is where we are….

A midweek large gathering of Middle and High School students @ The 567

• Snacks/food/drinks/games and hang out time
• Worship music
• Short teaching re-cap of Sunday sermon geared toward students
• Break into MC groups for personal discussion and application

 * This format provides a LOT – 1) An opportunity to experience worship together for students as well as to hear more on a life of worship.  2) The MCs provide an opportunity to move students into gospel centered community.  The challenge will be to involve college students/young adults/adults in the mix at every level in order to maintain the Titus 2 generational diversity – but it is very possible.  Like our existing MCs, we will work to see real community develop – where life is lived together – at games, at the park, serving, helping, laughing, crying…  3) This format gives students a great avenue to BE missional – inviting friends who do not know Jesus or who are not connected to a church to join them at New City.  While intergenerational MCs offered the same invite opportunity, there was little to attract other students… ‘hey want to come hang out with my parents and talk about the sermon from pastor Keith last week’ is not very attractional for middle and high school students!  A big part of being on mission means serving… students would be encouraged and trained to serve others during this time as part of the hospitality team, the set up team, the worship and tech teams… 4) Having the sermon re-cap presented by a solid speaker in a way that connects with students in their context and culture means more theology for our students!  Unpacking that theology and applying it to the life of a student through their MC means more practical theology.  More theology means more worship and a greater likelihood of gospel transformation!

Sundays

Students would participate, as they do now in our main gathering.  The hope, however is that as students learn to serve in the mid-week student gathering, they will also serve on Sunday mornings – as greeters, at the coffee bar, in the tech area, and maybe in one of our bands.  This will help students stay connected to the body as a whole and will also help them grow as disciples through service.  Serving on a Sunday morning team also gives another possible relationship for Titus 2, younger/older ministry.

Quarterly MC Partnership

Like our existing MCs, student MCs would form ongoing missional partnerships where they serve at least once per quarter in the city.  Partnerships may, for example, be with a needy school, a nursing home, or one of Macon’s shelters.  The Partnership would be with an existing non-student MC.  By serving with another MC we have more opportunities for the development of Titus 2 older/younger relationships.  This will also be another way to keep our students connected with and a part of the body of New City Church as opposed to a separate group within the church.