Liberty University
Student Ministry
Essentials Reading Report
#3
Tre Knight
CHMN 301
Introduction:
Youth ministry is crucial not only for the future of the Church but also for the relevant
disciple needs of young people. I have been involved with youth ministry my entire life. Youth
ministry is what I have been called to do and I could not imagine pursuing anything else. I have
seen everything and have experienced extreme challenges as well as extreme blessings. That
being said, I am not above learning because no matter how much I have witnessed there will
always be someone who has more experience and/or a different perspective. There is still so
much to learn about leading a ministry, defining roles, interacting with parents and ultimately
every aspect of this ministry. We all have the same task, equipping and discipling the youth to
grow in Jesus Christ and to be effective stewards of God’s gifts to them. We as leaders aspiring
to pursue full-time ministry need to humble ourselves and take the role of the student whenever
the opportunity presents itself.
Summary:
The authors state their goal in the preface, “So what we have attempted to do in this book
is present what we feel, are the critical elements of the essentials that will enable you to influence
students for the kingdom”. To accomplish this task, Vandegriff and Brown divide their book into
three parts: Leading, Nurturing, and Reaching. It is important for us as leaders, shepherds,
pastors, and disciples to be prepared to do the good work and influence the students of this world
for the kingdom of God. This book is geared to empower and those who have a desire to live a
life of nurturing adolescents. The authors of this book write that, “The practice of practical
theology in student ministry can be a bit of a moving target.”1 The authors this book have an
obvious love for youth ministry both having served in this area of ministry for the entirety of
1
their adult lives. As the book unfolds, the reader should feel as if the words of wisdom and
guidance start to pour from the pages and begin to apply to your life of ministry.
The book is separated into three parts: leading, nurturing, and reaching. All areas that are
priorities in student ministry as well as other ministries. Each part provides vital information that
can be applied instantly if you are involved in any ministry.
Part one, the leading portion of this book takes the reader on an in-depth journey of student
ministry leadership and how these roles function and interact within the mold of this unique
ministry. The authors explore the roles of leaders, student pastors, youth workers, and even
parents. For example, while I have taken many roles in the student ministry I serve in I am
currently the Leading Youth Minister. Vandegriff describes this role as, “The student pastor is to
be called of God, to be ordained by godly men, and to meet the specific qualifications given in 1
Timothy 3 and Titus 1. He is to be a legitimate pastor. While he is not the senior or lead pastor,
he is to be the shepherd and overseer to the student ministry of that particular church. With these
three biblical pastoral roles defined, I would contend the student pastor should be that overseeing
church leader whom God uses in the lives of today's students.”
Part two takes focus on the nurturing aspect of student ministry. This explores the topics of
intergenerational student ministry, understanding the students of today, developing spiritual
formation, biblically centered teaching and lesson. In understanding the students of today
Vandegriff touches on the physical, emotional, social, and mental changes the students are going
through. For example, on the topic of social change and interaction the author writes, Emerging
teenagers do everything enthusiastically. And the adults in their lives must be characteristically
enthusiastic. Parents and adults must infuse enthusiasm in whatever they do with teenagers—and
the teens will follow anywhere!”2 We as adults need to understand our students in order to help
move our students to experience the kingdom of God.
Part three is reaching. This focuses on the administration, teaching, and outreach dimension of
student ministry. This part talks about competent programming, equipping students for ministry,
intentional outreach events, campus ministry, and partnering with other ministries. One of the
most important topics the authors hit on is the dependency and accountability of the local church
and the student ministry. The relationship between the student ministry and the local church is a
very delicate and important relationship. The students need to feel wanted and know that they
belong in the church. Having a strong relationship with the local church is an extremely
important aspect to invest in.
Personal Response:
As someone who is looking to be even more effective in youth ministry, I found this book
to be the guide on my personal ministry. I found myself studying this book and desperately
grabbing at information and stories to memorize as its message is very much applicable to me.
There are so many nuggets of profound wisdom that offer great direction. One of the things that I
can remind the student workers at my local church is to share both our good and bad experiences
with them that will become beneficial in their lives. “We cannot and should not prevent young
people from learning about the dangers of this world. But like the young of any species, our
teens require the care, protection, and guidance of parents and adults.” It continues on to say that
the most beneficial thing we can offer our students is our experience. For me it is statements like
2
these sprinkled throughout this book that allow me to keep focus on what student ministry means
to me.
Conclusion:
Student ministry means the world to me. It was how I came to know the Lord and the
ministry God has burden my heart for. Student Ministry Essentials is a book that every student
ministry pastor and shepherd should read through as it covers all aspects of student ministry. We
have so much to learn and when it comes to this specific ministry it’s important to know that while
the students change the message we are sharing is timeless.
