Philosophy of Ministry for Student Ministry
Student Ministry, in cooperation with adult and children's ministries, exists to glorify God by assisting parents in calling students to faith and repentance and equipping them in the service of Jesus Christ.
Student Ministries
GBC affirms Junior and Senior High schoolers are maturing adults. They are responsible to God for their sins, called to obey God and parents, and can live in holiness by faith (Psa 119:9-11; Prov 3:1-4; Ecc 12:13; Eph 6:1). Biblical examples include Joseph (Gen 37:2; 39:1-2); Ruth (Ruth 2:5-6); Samuel (1 Sam 2:11; 3:19); David (1 Sam 17:42); Josiah (2 Kings 22:3); Esther (Esth 2:8); Daniel (Dan 1:3-7); Mary (Luke 1:27); Timothy (2 Tim 3:15); and Jesus (Luke 2:51-52).
GBC affirms young adults can serve their Creator in the days of their youth (Ecc 12:1) and reject any ideology that permits or excuses their sin under the misguided teaching of a "developmental stage" or "transitional period" in their lives, commonly called "adolescence." By training students in precept and example to think biblically and holding them accountable for their thoughts and actions, they will mature in their faith and responsibility to society. We will accomplish this through teaching God's Word in worship services, Sunday School, mid-week Bible study, and small group discipleship programs.
We affirm that young adults can serve their Creator in the days of their youth and reject any ideology that permits or excuses their sin under the misguided teaching of a "developmental stage" or "transitional period" in their lives, commonly called "adolescence."
Student Ministries Will Cooperate With Children's and Church Wide Ministries
We must incorporate students into the life of our church, made up of many members of all age groups (1 Cor 12:12). As such, we will endeavor to integrate our young adults into other ministries to serve alongside and be taught by mature adults.
Student ministries should not be a solo effort divorced from other church ministries, becoming a "church within a church." We will cooperate with the children's and adult ministries to train parents in child rearing and family worship (Colossians 3:20-21). We acknowledge the importance of having a mindset within the body of Christ that sees ministry to students as a responsibility of the entire body of Christ. Therefore, our church body is responsible for proclaiming Christ, "admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, that we may present every man complete in Christ" (Colossians 1:28).
Student ministries should not be a solo effort divorced from other church ministries...
Student Ministries Will Exist to Glorify God
The purpose of student ministries is to glorify God and lead others to worship Him. To glorify God is to acknowledge that He alone in His glorious nature is worthy of our reverence, obedience, and praise (Revelation 7:10-12). The church exists to glorify God, who has saved us "to the praise of the glory of His grace" (Ephesians 1:4-6). We acknowledge that God has redeemed a people who will "proclaim the excellencies of Him" who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Pet 2:9). We affirm that God receives glory when we worship Him with hearts of gratitude and devotion.
God gets the glory when others see the fruit of our transformed lives and praise with our lips from a pure heart. Our desire to glorify God will determine everything we do in student ministries (1 Corinthians 10:31); thus, the contrast between our youth ministry and the world will be radical.
We affirm that young believing adults should glorify God in how the church worships Him: music, prayer, giving, teaching, preaching, the Lord's Supper, baptism, evangelism, missions, holy living, gratitude, and loving service to others, etc.
Student Ministries Will Assist Parents
We affirm that God has placed upon parents the responsibility of presenting the good news of Christ to their children so that they might receive Him and be trained to obey His commandments (Deut 6:6-9; Matt 28:18-20). We also affirm that God made fathers their children's primary spiritual leaders and are responsible for raising children "in the discipline and instruction of the Lord" (Eph 6:4). We believe fruitful ministry to young adults is an extension of the parent's ongoing ministry. We will not usurp the responsibility or authority of parents in the biblical discipleship of their children but instead will assist them in the process. Therefore, we seek to minister to parents and students and encourage parental involvement in the ministry.
We will not usurp the responsibility or authority of parents in the biblical discipleship of their children but instead will assist them in the process.
Student Ministries Will Call Students To Faith and Repentance
We affirm the church exists to evangelize the lost (Matthew 28:18-20).
We believe parents, along with the church, are to preach the Gospel beyond the walls of our church, calling all to receive Christ (Jn 1:12). Therefore, we will help parents confront their young adults with the Gospel, calling them to repentance so that they will embrace Christ through faith (Eph 2:8-9; Rom 3:28).
Student Ministries Will Call Students to Serve Jesus Christ
GBC affirms the church exists to equip believers to do the work of ministry (Eph. 4:12). We will accomplish this through training students in personal Bible study, prayer, evangelism, service, and social interaction. We believe that students are a vital part of the church and that training them to exercise their spiritual giftedness (1 Corinthians 12:7) in the fellowship will strengthen the entire body and build it up in the faith. Therefore, we will design enjoyable activities to stimulate fellowship, evangelism, and service rather than for mere entertainment.
In summary, we teach students the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27) so that they may be equipped both to perform good deeds (Galatians 6:10; Titus 2:14; 3:8, 14) and to provide leadership in the church, their families, and society in the years to come (2 Timothy 2:2).