Dr. Stephen Vandegriff
CHMN 301- B01
(Foundations of NextGen Ministry)
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R : S M E AREADING EPORT TUDENT INISTRY SSENTIALS SSIGNMENT
Summary
Vandegriff wrote in this book, that the average churchgoer may not completely
understand what it means to be a leader in the church, Student ministry is consistently on the
frontlines and is challenged repeatedly.1 As a youth leader, many will be watching the way you
live your life. Youth ministry leaders must be an example by the way they live rather than what
they say, that will have a greater impact than you know. Vandegriff and Brown “define the
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Introduction
Student Ministry can never be the same, it changes all the time. It is a delicate ministry
right from the time of Jesus. Jesus, Himself initiated the relationship between Himself and
humanity, and that’s why sometimes we must be the instigators and initiators of friendship with
young adults and teenagers so that we can enjoy the fullness of the ministry that God intends for
us. The student’s ministers are to help students discover their purpose and to pursue it in God.
Living out the calling God placed in your life is not about doing stuff but living in a certain way
for God intentionally. God has a plan and purpose for one’s life, He has called student leaders
into a great ministry. Leadership is not about bossing people around and telling people what to
do. Leadership is about stepping into a place that you are passionate about and sharing that
vision with others. True leaders are caring and will go to great lengths for the sake of their youth.
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in
advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2: 10NIV).
1 Steve Vandegriff, “The Essential of Leadership in Student Ministry,” in Student Ministry Essentials:
Reaching. Leading. Nurturing. (Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 2015)
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student pastor and describe some of the essential duties the Scriptures assign to such an
individual. While I understand among our readership there will be a multiplicity of ages, ministry
experiences, denominations, traditions, and church political structures, my desire is simply to
move right to the Word of God and seek what Scripture teaches about God’s church.2 The author
divides this book into three parts: Leading, Nurturing and Reaching so as to accomplish this
task.3
The first portion of this book which is the “leading” part talks about the roles of youth
leaders, student pastors, youth workers, and parents. The second part is “nurturing” which talks
about what happened to my child. Ability to understand the student’s ministry of today,
developing spiritual formation, biblically centered teaching and lesson. According to Steve, there
are a lot of changes, physical, emotional, Idealism, social, mental, argumentative, and self-
centered. Avoid labeling your teens negatively. Instead use easy button/positive words like
“smart, beautiful, or wonderful to encourage your youth.4 Pray for wisdom and discernment
here, and don’t do it alone. Lean on the Holy Spirit’s guidance and spiritual “advisors.5
And the last part of the book which is “reaching” talks about the administration, outreach,
and teaching dimensions of student ministry. This part talks about competent programming,
equipping students for ministry, intentional outreach events, campus ministry, and partnering
with other ministries. Youth ministers should help students to become great leaders in the future.
The author also mentioned, “Often student pastors and leaders follow in the footsteps of a
predecessor. This can be a challenge. If the predecessor was a rock star, it will be difficult to
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Ibid
3
Ibid
4
Ibid
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Ibid
Personal Response
As a co-Pastor in the church for twenty-one years and a mother of four girls, three
teenagers, and one young adult. I think this book has been a great resource and eye-opener for
me. Not only for the church ministry but also for personal guidance. Honestly, teens and young
adults can be highly intimidating at times. One has to be called by God into this ministry, you
need to fix your focus on God. The author of this book said something that caught my attention,
“Use the ministry to build your students and not use the students to build your ministry. Or as
someone has cautioned, “Pharaohs build pyramids, pastors should build people.”7187. I also
learn that I should trust Him, and be consumed with my vision. I need to add action to my vision
as a leader in order to become a reality. God has created me with a unique personality. Mark 10:
45 NIV says, “for even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his
life as a ransom for many.” I was born and raised Muslim but my passion is to love teens, youth,
and family to stand for Christ. To show the love of Christ to all. It’s worth it
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achieve that level of expectation. The key here is to get students to follow your leadership as you
follow Christ.6 Pour yourself into your student to reach their maximum level.
6 Rich Brown, “The Essential of Defining the Student Pastor,” in Student Ministry Essentials: Reaching.
Leading. Nurturing. (Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 2015)
7 Ibid
Bibliography
Rich Brown, “The Essential of Defining the Student Pastor,” in Student Ministry Essentials:
Reaching. Leading. Nurturing. (Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 2015), p.55, 66,-67, 187.
Accessed March 1st, 2023
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Conclusion.
In conclusion, the author writes, “keep in mind at all times when you want to walk away.
When you are tired, discouraged, misunderstood, and just want to quit, remember Who called
you and whom you are seeking to please. Keep in mind the admonition Paul gives to Timothy
when he says, “You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus” (2
Timothy 2:1). What a calling!”8 It’s so important that you’re being led as you lead. Let God lead
you and guide you. As a youth leader, stay connected to Him. Listen to how He’s directing you in
your life. Every decision you make in your life should be directed by God. Trust in the Lord with
all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he
will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3: 5-6NIV).
8 Rich Brown, “The Essential of Defining the Student Pastor,” in Student Ministry Essentials: Reaching.
Leading. Nurturing. (Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 2015), 55.
6
Steve Vandegriff, “The Essential of Leadership in Student Ministry,” in Student Ministry
Essentials: Reaching. Leading. Nurturing. (Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 2015), p. 25, 125,
245-246. Accessed March 1st 20, 2023.
The Holy Bible NIV
