Global Conversation, Local Solution

The local church is the hope of the world.

Bill Hybels

I love that statement.  And I believe that more today than when I first heard Bill say it.

Lately a common question I’m asked is, “What do you see as your next step in ministry?” Here is my response.

I want to be a part of the local church.  I want to be an active part of the answer to a question being asked by many kids ministry and student ministry leaders right now.  The question of how to effectively lock arms with parents to inspire, equip, and assist them in their journey to lead their kids into a lifetime pursuit of Jesus.

I don’t believe the answer is found in a great program, outstanding environments or engaging curriculum alone. I believe the answer is found in an entire church strategy.  The approach needs to come from the top down. It’s a church strategy where ministry leaders work in conjunction to reach people of all ages in their community, expose them to the gospel & lead them to engage with Christ.

I don’t believe the answer comes from a senior pastor that releases their Children’s and Student pastors to do whatever they’d like.  The answer comes from the senior pastor that looks to their Children’s pastor, Student pastor, Family pastor, Next Gen pastor… whatever fits… and says, “What do you need?”

I want the opportunity to

• Build a great, fun, engaging kids ministry
• To work closely with the Student pastor to impact students
• To experiment w/ ways to
  • provide shared experiences for parents and kids (physically & online)
  • engage parents in God’s vision for their family
  • challenge parents to the role God designed them for
• To lead families to rally around a single cause knowing that
  • encounters w/ Christ are found when we embrace the marginalized
  • the gifts & talents within the members of one family rallied around a single cause brings amazing generational impact
• Participate in the global conversation among Children & Student ministry leaders through writing, blogging, mentoring & speaking

I believe a solution is at hand.

I believe some of the strongest, most talented ministry minds are working on it.

I believe the work achieved by Children and Student ministry leaders in the past decade have laid a foundation for new leaders to stand upon.

I believe the collaboration among these leaders (young & experienced) is the pathway to building on that foundation.

I believe I have the greatest calling on the planet.

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