Students can be some of the most frustrating individuals to work with.  They have an idea of how it should be done and never seem to take into account that you have been doing it for a while and might have learned a thing or two along the way.  Then there are those moments where you are absolutely shocked that they are getting it and showing incredible leadership skills for their age.  It is in these moments that we recognize why we do student ministry.

Just the other night I had the opportunity to share in a time of celebration with our senior students.  They will be graduating in just a few weeks and headed off to college in the next few months.  Some will still be living with mom and dad while others well, we won’t go there.  It was a great evening of sharing with one another, enjoying a meal together and taking a minute to help parents communicate with their child about the coming years. Here is the basic run down of what we did.

• shared in a meal together
• played a game together with their parents
• parents shared what they appreciated about their child’s accomplishments
• I spoke for a few minutes on the importance of getting connected to a church
• students shared their plans for the future
• handed out gifts
• had a lot of fun together

Life investment in students can be a very difficult time for many of us and can be very rewarding at the same time.  The heart of the matter is that we have been called into ministry to share with them the message of the Gospel and to help them find their gifts and strengths and to give them opportunities to use them.  We may not benefit in the short run, but in the long run the church will.