I recently attended a retreat with some student ministry leaders, where I had the opportunity to share my story and my calling to vocational ministry. As I reflected on my journey, I was reminded of the significant role that student leadership played in my life as a teenager. Before the Lord’s call to lead in student ministry, I was entrusted with opportunities to lead as a student myself.
It began with small responsibilities: welcoming my peers, helping prepare for events, and serving in Vacation Bible School (VBS). Over time, as I grew in maturity and deepened my spiritual walk with the Lord, I was given greater opportunities—like discipling middle school girls while I was still in high school. At the time, I had no idea that these experiences were preparing me to one day be on a church staff and eventually lead a ministry of my own.
The investment I received as a teenager is the same kind of leadership investment this generation and the generations to come after them need from us right now. We as leaders need to give them opportunities to grow in leadership and entrust them with real ownership in ministry. They need our guidance to help them grow spiritually so they can lead well in the places God calls them to go.
So, how can you invest in student leadership? Here are some key ways to do that:
Invest in Their Spiritual Growth
To lead effectively, students need a strong foundation in their faith. This requires intentional investment in their spiritual growth beyond the usual weekly gatherings.
Provide Resources: Equip them with tools like devotionals, Bible study guides, and spiritual growth plans.
Offer Bible Study Options: Create opportunities for them to dive deeper into God’s Word through more in-depth studies during the week or in addition to Sunday morning groups.
Mentorship: Partner two students with mentors who will do life with them, offering wisdom and encouragement.
Accountability: Teach and model accountability for your students. Encourage students to find friends who they can be honest with about their sins and struggles, and share their victories. Friends who will keep them accountable to seek repentance, resist temptation, and be in the Word as well as rejoice with them in their triumphs.
Give Opportunities to Lead Through Serving
Leadership grows through practice, and serving is a great way for students to develop their leadership skills.
In the Church: Allow them to serve in roles such as leading worship, running audio and visual behind the scenes, teaching younger children, welcoming guests, or organizing events.
On Mission: Provide opportunities for them to participate in local, national, and global mission projects where they can experience hands-on ministry.
Develop Leadership Skills
Equip students with the tools they need to lead others well. This can be done through intentional leadership development opportunities.
Create a Leadership Team: Form a group of student leaders who can help shape and guide things done in the ministry. A group that you train in leadership.
Give Them Opportunities to Lead Others: Train them in discipleship and leadership. Then give them the chance to disciple and mentor their peers or younger students alongside your adult leaders.
Allow them to dream: Allow them all the chance to give voice and dream when there are opportunities to do new things in the ministry. Challenge them to dream big, take ownership of specific ministry initiatives, and let them participate in helping create the change.
Give them a Safe Space to Discover
Create environments where students can learn, grow, and discover their calling. Allow places where they can step out, make mistakes, and learn from them while surrounded by a supportive community.
Developing student leaders is an investment in the kingdom of God. By empowering students to lead, you’re equipping them for the future and strengthening the church. Let’s be leaders who trust students with ministry, guide them in their spiritual growth, and celebrate the unique callings God places on their lives.
