lessons learned from student ministry

Hello blog world :)  It's been a minute!  I do apologize!  My life seems insane with grad school, a new job, juggling friends all over the place, and exciting opportunities happening everyday.  I forget that I have a blog sometimes.

Most of you know (so, this means all 2 of you that read this, haha) that my move last August came with the desire to do something in student ministry.  I was involved in student ministry as a high schooler and the investment of many, and mainly an incredible small group leader, taught me about the reality of Jesus.  I wanted to give back in that way and so I began to seek out opportunities to do so.  I didn't really have a clue of what I would be in for, given that my past "ministry experience" included singing on a praise team and holding babies in a nursery.  Nonetheless, I was excited when Pastor Seth, Daystar's youth pastor, called me one day and said "I think, by some miracle, we've found you a spot on the high school team." 

It seems crazy that I'm rapidly approaching one year in Greensboro, and what a year it has been!  I have learned so much through student ministry, and wanted to share those lessons here.  Hope you enjoy!

1. You are never ever too old to have fun.  I just spent a week in Charleston with the most energetic, hilarious, and fun crew of leaders and students!  We slept on hard floors, worked until we were exhausted, worshiped with our whole hearts, and played like we were little kids.  It was my first trip as a leader, and it was a week I'll never forget.
2. Regardless of where I am in my spiritual journey, leading others on theirs (especially teenage girls) keeps me focused and accountable.  I made a vow that I didn't want to live my life in a way that contradicted the way that I led my small group.  This has been CHALLENGING; I am not perfect, BUT I strive to do the best that I can.  
3. Consistency is key - my girls are constantly looking for me to be who I said I was going to be and to show up when I say I will.  Yes, this means I have to choose orchestra concerts over PJs and netflix, but I wouldn't change it for the world.
4. You get what you give.  When I started student ministry, I felt like a fish out of water.  Everyone already knew each other and I had to build relationships very quickly.  Luckily, I'm a relational person.  Had it not been for the leaders and students that embraced me as the new leader and befriended me, it would have been game over.
5. The devil is real, but Jesus is real-er.  High schoolers struggle hard just like everyone else, but we focus on keeping Jesus at the center and we've seen God change some incredibly tough hearts this year.  
6. You have to be willing to be vulnerable.  Sometimes I look like a fool because I have to tell my girls the truth about what I'm walking through.  But the reality is that this has created a door for them to also be honest with me about their own lives.
7. "I'll be praying for you" is a lie!  We all say it, and this isn't condemnation for saying that.  But at VERT, we like to pray right then and there about issues.  We just step out of the way or into an empty room and deal with those issues right there.  This has been a HUGE encouragement to me in the rest of my life.  Prayer is urgent and it's important and I am never too busy to invite Jesus in to do what he does best - restore!
8. Being a leader is about being given an opportunity.  Sure, I have a lot of learning and growing to do, but Pastor Seth trusts me with a portion of his world.  He's really great about building me up and THEN critiquing me.  This helps me get better and strive to be a better, more effective, leader.
9. Gratitude is the heart of ministry.  I believe that we're effective for the Kingdom when we humble ourselves enough to be thankful.  Yes, this is hard.  Yes, sometimes I would rather complain about what's not going right or be insecure about myself, BUT the minute that I reflect on how grateful I am is the minute that I'm reminded why I serve in student ministry.  
10. Everyone is vitally important to the Kingdom.  There are so many different personalities within our student ministry.  Not everyone leads the same way or is interested in the same things.  But, truthfully, I am so encouraged looking around and realizing that there's a place for everyone within the walls of VERT.  It's inclusive and full of love.  I can't help but imagine that this is a true picture of the Kingdom.

If you've read this far, thanks :)  This is boring to some of you, I know.  But student ministry has quickly become a huge part of my heart.  I can't imagine my time in Greensboro without Daystar and VERT.  I'm so thankful for the leaders who never considered me a stranger and taught me how to lead and to the students who trust and encourage me every day.

When I first moved to Greensboro, I was very focused on getting in, finishing grad school, and getting the heck out.  Now, it's hard for me to imagine how I'd give all this up in pursuit of anything better.  I'm so encouraged and motivated by student ministry.