LAMPLIGHTER Winter 2020
Learning to be Leaders by Kristi Meyer You’ve likely seen them: selling chili and handing out hot chocolate, setting up for church events and cleaning the school during summer vacation, working with kids at Bedtime Blessings and Discovery Day. Sometimes it’s easy to take for granted just how much our St. John’s teens are involved in our church and school—and how much of a blessing youth ministry is to St. John’s. Although youth ministry comes with its own distinct set of opportunities and challenges, Pastor Kyle Bitter views it as an integral part of the overall ministry at St. John’s. “Youth ministry lets teens come together for fellowship, spiritual growth, and service to the church,” says Pastor Bitter. “It’s very similar to the goals of most adult ministry—you just do it in ways that are age appropriate for teens.” These age-appropriate events pay rich dividends for St. John’s by providing valuable ministry assistance at both church and school. Former CES chair Kerry Ognenoff has worked with teen volunteers at a variety of school events—from Fall Festival to Christmas decorating and everything in between—and is consistently impressed by their dedication and commitment. “I wouldn’t panic if we only had teen volunteers for an event,” Kerry says. “Everything would get done, it would get done well, and Christ’s love would shine through these reliable and enthusiastic teens.” But St. John’s isn’t the only beneficiary of a strong youth ministry program. The teens themselves are learning how to be adult members of a congregation and are beginning to set patterns now that will hopefully stick with them
long after their high school and college years are over. “Youth ministry teaches the next generation how to be church leaders,” says Pastor Bitter. “That’s where it starts: getting experience as high school students.” When teens are asked to serve rather than feeling as though they’re watching from the sidelines, a partnership is formed—a partnership that will serve teens well as they continue to grow and mature in their faith. At St. John’s, this partnership also takes on a unique form through our annual mission trips. These trips began in 2015 when a group of parents wanted to organize an 8th grade class trip that was more than just a field trip. Five years and over one hundred teens later, mission trip is now an integral part of ministry at St. John’s. Through science camp in South Carolina and soccer camp in Canada, teens are exposed to ministry in a very different setting than St. John’s. Pastor Bitter sees another benefit as well: “Our teens are able to provide these congregations with something they need, and our teens can see that you don’t have to be super-experienced or well-trained to have a helpful impact on a congregation.” Ministry at St. John’s is a collaborative effort, and youth ministry is no exception. Encourage our young people when you see them serving at church and school. Support them with your offerings, especially when youth ministry is designated as the Council Project of the Month. And— most importantly—keep them in your prayers as they continue their service to their church and their Lord. We all are blessed by this service in various ways!