It’s hard to put into words what actually takes place, but it is spectacular to watch!

I am a product of a student leader model of campus ministry.

Because this was so formational for me, I have sought to implement a student leadership model in every aspect of ministry in order to provide ample opportunities for students to take on as much responsibility and ownership as possible.

Creating space for ownership, growth, failures and successes has been critical to this model. And although it’s not have always been easy, or looked pretty, I know students have greatly benefited from this approach!

In a few previous post I wrote about Edgar Dale’s ‘Cone of Learning’ and in my second post on the topic I explored briefly the power of experience… specifically the highly formative nature of short-term missions.

Equally formative, I believe, is giving students the opportunity to lead out in all areas of ministry. Providing space for students to explore the things they have seen, learned, as well as the theories and ideas they have come up with on their own has been a critical component of our model of ministry.

Two years ago I spent my spring break on mission with a team in NYC. We were a team comprised 15 students and two very capable student leaders… I was there, but as “one of the team”… unless circumstances dictated something other.

Our two student leaders were given the chance to work with (or work as):

• Trip logistics – the planning and preparing phases of the trip.
• Team formation – they facilitated multiple pre-trip meetings that were designed to be both informational and relational in scope.
• Travel guides – they took care of getting the team from campus to the airport, through two airports, from the airport to our site for the week (via the airtrain and subway systems), and daily from site to site.
• On-site logistics –– they had to think through everything from food to activities to how we would spend our free time.
• Spiritual guides – they had to lead out in morning devotional times, as well as important reflective times at the conclusion of each day.
• Empowerers and equipers – they did a good job of sharing the role of ‘leader’ with other members of the team as was appropriate and when needed.

Yes, I was on the trip… but only as a team member. I worked alongside everyone else, doing whatever they’re doing. And yes, I was there if they got into a pinch… but don’t we all have someone we can turn to in times of need?

It was so good to watch those student leaders work together, lead our team, as well as work with our hosts in NYC. They did a fantastic job… and I was reminded of just how significant my own opportunities to lead as a college student were in my own spiritual formation and development as a leader.

Yes, there’s something quite beautiful that happens when students lead. And although I’m not out with a team this year… I know that we have highly capable student leaders who are growing in significant ways — as they lead their peers through a very meaningful week of learning and service.

How central are student leaders to your ministry efforts?

How have you seen students grow and develop as they’ve been give new levels of responsibility?

What challenges do you have with this model of ministry?