I wanted to post several observations I've been making about ministering to recent graduates in the hopes of trying to figure out how much we should realistically expect from these folks (no matter how mature they are spiritually when they graduate.) My desire is to know when we're not calling them to enough or when we're trying to push too hard (I hope this makes sense.) So here goes some observations:
1. We must continually remind our graduates of what they are a part of & why it's worth it for them to persevere in finding a job in our city & how really just in every area of life. Perseverence is not easy for today's graduates.
2. I really don't expect our graduates to have much of a personal ministry for at least 5 - 10 years after graduation. Exceptions are rare, but it just seems easiest to expect little fruit from them.
3. Living situations for our graduates is a key to helping them continue in their walk with God.
4. We must make heroes out of our graduates who make good choices. We had a girl move back to Khon Kaen & she just decided that she was going to live off nothing until she found a job here. It's exactly what she did and we need to champion her example.
5. The principles of discipleship/multiplication are the same for graduates. The timeframe is just extended. IE - We don't redefine what a laborer is, we just understand that it takes longer in this context.
6. The more we can give ownership of our LPV's to our graduates, the more motivated they will be in every area of their lives.
7. We haven't found the balance of having our campus staff follow people into the community yet.
8. A church facility is important when ministering to graduates. A facility brings stability.
These are just a few I've been listing right now. Would love other thoughts. Love, Brian
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5 comments:
I agree that we should have low expectations regarding graduates ministry capabilties - I just wonder if 5-10 years is shooting too low. If we expect nothing out of them then that is probably what we will get. Granted, they will always be limited in their time commitments due to work, but I think even small successes would boost them to no end. HOW CAN WE HELP WITH THAT? is my question.
I agree that we need to watch our expectations for recent grads and ministry output. I do wonder if 5-10 years is shooting too low? Maybe it depends on exactly what we might be expecting them to do in terms of fruit? IDEAL is for them to be walking with God and in the Word... then we should see fruit. Unfortunately, that is where they seem to struggle a lot in my opinion. I think this ties in with continually putting vision before them (including passion for God). Also, how could we help them be successful in LITTLE ways ministry wise - I think small successes would breed greater confidence (faith) and lead to greater outpouring.
I liked what you said about championing our grads. It is so important as our vision of being a laborer grows that we are able to call people into that vision. We can celebrate, champion rejoice together as God uses people to think, act, and walk in faith. I am so thankful to see Graduates or anyone else for that matter seek to know God deeper and to serve others from their supernatural giftings. I look forward to the opportunity we have to enagge with one another on all of this. Thanks
I agree that it is difficult sometimes to know what we should expect out of our grads (#2). They face many new challenges in this transitional phase of life.
Recently however I've had several conversations with graduates and young couples who are beginning to see and catch that what we've been talking about and casting vision for is not just something we do or need to do, but it's who we are! We don't share our faith and invite others to grow in Him just because we should. We do it because He is the living God, living in us, transforming all that He touches! It is something that flows out of our true identity and transforms our community and the world around us! When our graduates are experiencing this, I believe that impact and ministry will happen as they go!
I've also really seen the value of #3 (how living situations help people in their walk). It seems to me that community is the key aspect here. We need one another in the body to help us become all that God wants us to be! Real continual gospel interaction and stimulus is vital to long term growth and development!
"7. We haven't found the balance of having our campus staff follow people into the community yet."
This is a fantastic question. One I've been thinking a lot about. Right now the way we have it set up is that me, Brian and Russell would focus on the post-campus aspect of the ministry. But a major question we have is how to incorporate the future graduates and other adults. What's going to be our capacity to help these people?
About your question, John, helping them to be successful... we are thinking of forming "disciple communities" with the graduates and using those groups to engage the world (see definition in RL's blog). Maybe the group setting would help them.
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