New middle school program supports being silly and serving the Lord

First things first – if you haven’t read the first blog in this series – stop reading this…seriously. Go here and read the first blog. Really…right now. If you’ve already read the overview, then keep going.

I’m sure you know this…but holy moly middle school students have energy.  Like crazy energy.  Their ability to switch activity mid-action is uncanny.  Their ability to multi-task all while Snap Chatting their latest selfie is nothing short of miraculous.  And the ability to use that energy for the things of God’s kingdom is a beauty rarely surpassed.

 

You see friends, a part of Middle School Ministry here at Trinity is to let middle schoolers be middle schoolers: to burn that raw energy being silly or serving.  Either one is a win for the kingdom.  Sometimes I have to remind parents that their 7th grader isn’t an adult yet and we shouldn’t burden them with adult worries.  At the same time, they’re not kids.  They’re caught in the middle…and that’s exactly where they should be.  

 

In the second post of this blog series I mentioned that middle schoolers are in a crazy phase of life.  It’s one in which they are desperately trying to discover who they are.  They need opportunities to just be them.  To just play.  To have no agenda other than to be them: middle schoolers.

 

This is why we believe it’s imperative that students are a part of our second environment – Events.  You see, the design of this environment is to honor this crazy phase – to just be them.  To just play.  To have no agenda other than to be middle schoolers hanging with other middle schoolers and a couple of crazy adults [if you’ve not met them – just believe me…they’re crazy].  

 

So – every 2nd and 4th Sunday night of the month [beginning in September] there is a middle school event.  It typically meets in the Youth Lounge – but sometimes wanders to Sonic, Airtime, CJ Barrymore’s,  or the gaga ball pit.  But it’s not all just play…

 

As we said at the beginning – leveraging energy for the things of God’s kingdom is a beautiful thing!  Sometimes our events are opportunities to serve our neighbors, our neighborhoods, or those who are at the edges of culture.  In fact, one student remarked that the best event all year was serving MCREST – a ministry to those struggling with homelessness.  

 

A beautiful thing.

 

This is the kind of thing you hear when a student is infected and affected by the the good news of Jesus.  

 

Middle School Events are led by the fearless, funny and energetic Jim and Dawn Chauvin.  Truly, they have blessed countless students over the past year and have more energy the the Energizer Bunny.  

 

If you get a chance to thank them…you really should! 

 

So –  the first two environments: Sunday Morning Scripture and Events.  All that’s left is Confirmation Modules.  Stay tuned.

 

pb | pastor brian

Middle School Ministry–Sunday Morning Scripture

First things first – if you haven’t read the first blog in this series – stop reading this…seriously. Go here and read the first blog. Really…right now. If you’ve already read the overview, then keep going.

You’ll remember that we talked about 3 Key environments for Middle School Students: Sunday Morning Scripture, Events and Confirmation Modules; each environment having a specific purpose and goal in mind. You see, we want to see Middle Schoolers infected and affected by the love of God in Christ Jesus. For the greatest chance of seeing another generation of disciple makers – it’s imperative to participate in each environment. What are those environments?

• Sunday Morning Scripture
• Middle School Events
• Confirmation Modules

In this blog, we’re going to talk about the first environment – Sunday Morning Scripture.

When I first came to Trinity, I was amazed by all the programming that was happening. There was always something going on. It took a long time to figure it all out [well, I’m about 70% of the way there]. Somewhere in that amazement I was bewildered by a shocking absence: a Sunday Morning experience for Middle and High School Students [yes, there was confirmation every other week…but what about the off weeks] where they could dig into the truths of scripture that would speak to their phase of life.

You see, we believe the Word of God is powerful. We believe it’s true. We believe what it tells us about who God is and who we are. We believe the Word of God is to be trusted. We believe that when the Word of God goes out – it accomplishes what God wills. We believe that God’s Word is the authority in our lives. And we want desperately to have Middle Schoolers DEEP in God’s word. But here’s what we know: it’s not possible to teach Middle Schoolers the whole of God’s scripture nor is it fruitful.

Middle Schoolers are in a crazy phase of life…I mean like weird crazy. Most of them are trying desperately to discover who they are. And in so doing, seem to be a different person from one day to the next [parents – you know what I’m talking about…right]. In this discovery phase, we want to point them to, have them wrestle, and take to heart those parts of God’s word that will aid their discovery. Reggie Joiner says it this way:

“All of Scripture is equally inspired by God, but all of Scripture is not equally important.”

So – starting on Sunday, September 13 – we will have a time for our middle schoolers to gather for worship, a teaching and small group processing. This will happen at 930AM in the Youth Lounge [which, by the way, is going through a small makeover this summer…stay tuned for picture updates]. A couple of things are vitally important in this environment:

1. Students will be getting a teaching from the Scripture which is designed and delivered in age appropriate ways.
2. Each week – parents will be directed to a parent blog that will help you understand what it is your students are learning. It will also provide great questions that you can use during your week to engage your middle schooler.
3. Students will be processing and discovering around a group of their peers. This is vitally important – it reinforces that others their age are asking and wrestling the same questions.
4. Students will be mentored by passionate adults. Ask yourself – Don’t I want my kids to have other adults in their life who can speak truth to them when they won’t speak to me [there are plenty of times when your student won’t want to speak to you…just start believing it now….that’ll help].

This environment, unlike the other two, is the place where scripture is applied in relevant, phase appropriate ways…specifically connected to a group of their peers and other caring adults.

Honestly, I’m so excited to see what God is going to do!!! And I’m beyond excited that some parents have already stepped up to help lead. Ministry to your kids would not be possible without them. SO – if you get a chance, please thank Katie Erkkinen, Glen Auten, Leslie Wheeler, and Devin and Onalee Kliebert.

As I said in the first post in this series, if you have questions…email me or call. I’m chatty that way.

pb | pastor brian

Check out the sneak peak of our first series…

Pastor Brian presents goals for Middle School Ministry

Middle School Ministry is taking shape and Pastor Brian introduces the concept in this blog.

Over the course of the last year and a half, I’ve had the joy and privilege of watching, learning and seeking clarity for how Trinity does ministry for and with the “Next Generation.”  In so many ways, I’ve been blessed to see the wonderful heritage though which so many families have journeyed.  And I count myself lucky to help lead and navigate the years ahead.

And that is what is ahead….navigating a rapidly changing culture.  Navigating the realities of life.  Navigating this journey with Jesus.  In order to navigate well – we must fix our eyes on Christ Jesus, who is the author and perfector of our faith [Hebrews 12:1], and we must constantly ask if we are doing our best to raise another generation of disciple makers.

It’s this task, that the Ministries of Next Generation have endeavored to do well.  In fact, as we think and plan, our vision is to: infect and affect the hearts of another generation of disciple makers with the LOVE of God is Christ. We know that when the Gospel gets into the heart, by it’s very nature it affects life: how’s it’s understood, how’s it’s lived and how it’s passed on.  With this in mind, we have two immediate goals:

• Raise the number of spiritual conversations happening within households and
• Create and foster a partnership between family and church

With all of this in the forefront of our minds – there are a lot of exciting changes coming for Middle School Ministry.  If you engage in these 3 environments, we believe students [and their families] have the greatest opportunity to experience infection and affection with the LOVE of God in Christ.  Those 3 Environments are:

• Sunday Scripture [Community & Word]
• Community Events [Community & Service]
• Confirmation Modules [Spiritual Formation]

Yes, I already know…you want more detail.  However, in an exerted effort to keep the blog from being dictionary length, let me give you a brief summary…knowing that we’ll produce a specific blog post for each environment.

Sunday Scripture will be an every week opportunity for students to gather in the Youth Lounge for a large group teaching and small group processing, worship and prayer.  Community Events will happen on the 2nd and 4th Sunday evenings of the month – where fellowship and service are the main goals.  Finally, Confirmation Modules are the place of spiritual formation for both students and parents.

As I said – we’ll be publishing specific blogs for each of these environment over the next several weeks.  In the mean time, you’re welcome to look at the Prezi which was created for the Parents’ Meeting on June 28. Should you want more info, you are more than welcome to email me at pastorbrian@trinityct.org.

–Pastor Brian