When We Meet
Our program year begins with RNR on Sept. 8 & SWAG on Sept. 11.
Jr High – SWAG
(Students With Amazing Grace)
Wednesday
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Senior High – RNR
(Relationship Not Religion)
Sunday
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Some Things We Do
Small and Large Group Meetings, Bible Study, Retreats, Service Projects, Games, All-Nighters, Trips, Worship, Community Events, Fundraisers
About Our Ministry
Our ministry to the parents and students of our congregation and community is about sharing the Word and power of Jesus Christ and partnering with him to transform the lives of students. This is more than a goal of spiritual maturity, but holistic maturity – mentally, physically, socially, and emotionally too. We don’t just want students to become genuine Christians; we also want students to become whole people. We want them to find their true identity in Christ.
Workers and volunteers in our ministry partner with parents, teachers, mentors, pastors, and friends in forming a framework for students to grow. There are three main ways we best influence our students:
- First – setting a strong spiritual example.
- The Second – ministering to them in regular programs and events.
- Finally – making connections with the students outside of our regular programs.
Together these three aspects of ministry provide for the maximum influence for life transformation among the students.
Mission Statement
Discovering Christ Church Student Ministries exist to invite and encourage all students to celebrate, imitate, and serve God.
God has given believers a clear mandate to help cultivate faith in Jesus Christ in all people. Because of this mandate, we are a ministry to our whole community. We strive to reach far beyond our own church families and deep into our community and schools. We also seek to equip students to reach other students and invite new followers of Jesus.
The spirituality of a person cannot be compartmentalized. Ministry to the whole person not only fulfills God’s will for our work, but also provides a lasting impact. We know that part of a successful student ministry includes putting effort into relationships that connect with young people at multiple levels and in multiple ways.
God wants all believers to value Him and express this worth. We strive to provide an environment where students can experience the presence of our living God and worship Him in their own voice. Meaningful worship with youth must engage both their heart and mind and extend far beyond familiar practices only.
In order for students to mature spiritually, they must develop strong growth habits in God’s Word. We teach the Bible in relevant and creative ways in order to challenge and inspire young people in practical application of their Christian walk.
Both in our ministry and once students graduate our ministry, it is our hope that they be ministers of the gospel and not consumers of religion. To this end, we seek to equip students with the tools and vision of Christian service.
Core Practices
The sovereignty of God affects every square inch of our world. God is active in His world and uses people to accomplish His redemptive purposes throughout it. We prepare students to see life from this Reformed standpoint.
We have a focus on ‘relational ministry’ with students. Jim Burns puts it this way, “Long-term, positive influence on the lives of students comes from people, not programs. Programs are a framework in which ministry exists. Programs don’t minister- people minister.” Relational ministry needs to be the way that we as leaders approach the students. This is accomplished not by invasively asking pre-staged questions just to ‘get to know the students’, but by joining in common life experiences. Letting students share in the lives of adults is a natural way for adults to impart wisdom, advice and the gospel of Jesus Christ to the students.
Be who you want them to be, not who you think they want you to be. We place a high value on our adult volunteer leadership. Our top priority for volunteers is that they maintain a visible walk with Christ. We are less concerned with trying to be a friend to a student and more concerned with being a positive influence and role model.
Focusing on fewer, more specific goals helps build better programs and longer-lasting volunteers.
Our programs are a means to an end. Over time our programs may change, shift, or even stop. Programs should never be seen as the point, but always as the pointers.
We define what is most important and remind ourselves regularly of what it looks like when we succeed. The measure we use is not always the way the world measures success.