One area that we think is super important in student ministry is finding ways to connect with students. With some students its easier than others but sometimes you need to get pretty inventive to connect with some students. Our friend Aaron Crumbey had a great post on his blog about connecting with students. Here’s a little taste of it below, then go here for the rest.
My first experience in youth ministry was taking a group of guys out for pizza, and then a sleepover full of snacks, movies, video games and conversation. No one in the church I was attending told me to do it, I just did it. The time I spent with those students and the things we did, was basically based off of what I would’ve loved to have happen to me when I was a student. I wanted to be someone they could share their struggles with but also enjoy a lighthearted conversation. I wanted to be able to speak into their lives God’s truth and also be the one they came to when they had questions.
My motive behind connecting with students was not just to be their friend, but also be someone who they could connect with when they needed guidance in the spiritual and the natural areas of life. Now, I know some people would say well the way you connect with students is you find a leader that’s a great fit for the student you are trying to get connected. I also know that the majority of youth groups don’t have that luxury, and personally I don’t think they need to.
Connecting with students has more to do with the leader than the student. The cool kids, geeks, jocks, cheerleaders, the indie kids, the gamer and all of the other students we stereotype could careless about what you’re into. They just want to know that you care. I listed some transferable things that I’ve learned through trail and error, that has helped me connect with all types of students on a deeper level.
