The question for the day is "What does Student Ministry and Christmas have in common?" They have so much in common, but i want to list off 4 points in which Student Ministry and Christmas have similar things in common.
1. They both can become very self-absorbed. We try to teach our students at The Mount that not everything revolves around them. In this, we are striving to have a group of students that are less self-absorbed and more about the common good of others. See it's the same way with Christmas, many people (especially students) wanting certain things for themselves and not worrying the grand scheme of the bigger picture. We hope and pray that this Christmas and MPBC Student Ministry won't be self-absorbed but rather Christ-centered.
2. They both are fast paced. Going from store to store, shop to shop to find the "perfect" gift for everyone has created Christmas a fast paced society around the holidays. You know the feeling, you can't get in anyone's way or you might get trampled on. There are times in Student Ministry where I feel the same way, because Student Ministry (in my opinion) is the fastest paced ministry within the local church. My time serving as a Senior Pastor has helped me understand there are times we must slow down or we will all wear out. Both Christmas and Student Ministry must go at a pace where Christ is most exalted and not material things or the amount of events we do.
3. They both must have out-of-the-box thinking. Part of Christmas shopping is thinking outside the box to find a gift that the person hasn't mentioned but they will also like. I've never been good at that, but i know people who are awesome at that. It's the same way with Student Ministry, the out-of-the-box thinking is important because you can't do the same thing you've done for years without any changes. I've never been great at this type of mindset in Student Ministry, but have learned to adapt through my years of ministry.
4. They both must be centered around Christ. Far too often Christmas and Student Ministries have nothing to do with with Christ, but they both must be centered around Him. It's not about presents and gifts or event and fun weekend activities, but it's about a Savior who came down from Heaven, lived a perfect human life, and died on the cross so that we might live. If that's not the center of everything we do then we have miss the mark. And that's why Student Ministry and Christmas have things in common.
For His Glory,
Joe Mayes
