Russ Cantu (Home)

There is this undermining subculture of ideology within student ministry that has our student pastors and leaders failing to plan ahead. And why would they? They is a multitude of resources available to them at the click of a button. Need an idea for Wednesday night youth group? Just click this website and they have it for you. It doesn’t matter that it’s Wednesday morning and you’ve been “relational” with your students this week. 

Unfortunately, this relational ministry is not intentional. It is not planned, cultivated, nor is it fostering growth toward a destination. It simply is a failure to effectively lead on the half of student pastors. However, things can change with a few adjustments. 

1. Plan your student ministry calendar six months to a year in advance. This structure will allow you the flexibility you need to be who God made you to be in ministry. It also gets the parents and church (not to mention your boss) on the same page as you. 
2. Within the structure of the calendar, get creative as to how you can help drive the message home week to week. Train your staff to dream big dreams with you. 
3. Be relational and intentional, having steps to accomplish (missional, without sacrificing authentic relationships) along the way. This is not an either/or situation, but rather a both/and one.

What will it take for you to begin planning ahead? How do you see this as helping you stay focused? Why is this valuable for use in student ministry?