Go Big! Or go...

"The caravan thunders onward,
Stars winking through the canvas hood,
The caravan thunders onward,
On my way at last,
On my way at last,
I CAN'T STOP THINKING BIG,
I CAN'T STOP THINKING BIG,
I CAN'T STOP THINKING BIG!" ~Rush (Caravan)

I have had this problem for a long time now. I think BIG! I dream of a Student Ministry that is BIG. That is huge. That says to every student in every High School that this ministry is for you. That our students, that our leaders, that our team, that our philosophy, that our direction, that our message, is for every Middle Schooler, every High Schooler, every College/Young Adult student in our surrounding area.

I have been at this thing called "youth pastor", "youth worker" for quite some time now and I can't stop thinking BIG. I can't help it.

Do I care about numbers? Some would say, "Oh yes, this guy cares about numbers." I say if that is what you think, so be it. Some might say "He only wants to build his own kingdom." If that is what is said, so be it. Some might feel that I only care about evangelism and reaching students. Alrighty then, and the problem with reaching students is what? I have heard all the stuff for years. Quite frankly, no big deal. I know the truth and as a leader, I must push on with the vision, with the passion, with this big ole heart for students, all students that the Lord has given to me.

Do any of you think BIG? Has the criticism gotten in your way? Does the voice of the Christian parent, or Christian student crying "what about me?' or "Feed me" keep you from going BIG? Does the whole p.c. idea that BIG is "wrong" or "unspiritual" get you second guessing yourself, your vision, your passion, your desire to reach every student?

Forget about that stuff and Go after the dream. Go after the vision. Go Big!

Allow me to get down to brass tacks. I don't believe that Student Ministry, at least the one I lead is about filling students with more "knowledge". I believe that one of the greatest ways for students to grow in their faith is by using what they already know. Maybe the question is this: Do they know that sharing their faith is a great endeavor? Do they know that they don't know everything and that by sharing their faith will that will actually be a great exercise with their knowledge and that my just push them to want to delve deeper into their relationship with Christ? Do they know that "Christ is in them"? Do they know that rubbing shoulders with people that don't know Christ won't taint them?

Do your students know that reaching all people is highly valued by the one they follow, you know the Christ? Is thinking BIG really so bad? I am grateful for those men back in the day that followed Christ, that witnessed all the miracles, that heard His words, that followed Him, that ate the last supper with Him, that watched Him die on a cross, that met him after His raising from the dead, that heard the His call to go and then went. I am grateful for the men and women over the past 2000 years that have paid the price for continuing to share their faith, that have continued to build the church, that have labored for the Kingdom.

I want to encourage you, Youth Pastor, Youth worker, don't let the critics get to you. Go Big! Keep pushing. Keep building. Keep moving forward. There is nothing wrong with thinking Big.

Take it from an old, feeble youth pastor—Going Big is not about watering down the message or being P.C. quite the contrary, this generation wants the truth. This generation wants honesty. This generation wants a ministry that goes beyond the stuff and says and does what Jesus lived. Big makes a statement. "This ministry is here for you. Look, see, come and join us. We are here for you. You can be who you are, you can join in, you can call this place home. We want to connect with you, we want to know you, we care about you, we have something you need and want."

One last little diddy. I don't know when or where or by who it was decided that reaching campuses, building a student ministry that goes beyond the "youth group" ideal was considered such a "not cool" thing to do. I do know that the local church, the ministries across the globe that say "reaching students" is a high value must continue to pursue this high calling.

I do know that a "youth group" that is over 10-12 students is already past a group. So why not go to the next logical level. Build a ministry that goes beyond a group. There is nothing wrong with going beyond the typical.

If, if, it's about resources? Live by faith (Heb. 11.6) If, if it's about criticism? Be prepared to get some tough skin. If, it's about not being loved because you doing something beyond the voices that have been the squeaky wheel. Be prepared to no longer be co-dependent on what people think.

Dream big, and watch what happens. Maybe this summer you can:

• Take some time this summer to pray for and to catch a new vision. Tear down the "youth group" standard and go the route of student ministry.
• Take some time this summer to plan a new phase of your ministry for this fall that is about reaching every campus represented in your ministry.
• Take the time to pray, pray, pray for a new strategy.
• Take the time this summer to mentor your leaders to begin to think BIG with you.
• Take the time to allow the Christ to renew in you His heart on this matter. Most of all, don't listen to the voices that speak badly about going big—there is someone out there that would not like you to care about every student and every campus in your sphere of influence and you know who that is?

Go for it! Go BIG!