[Part 2 of 10 in answering some FAQ's about The City Church]Following yesterday's FAQ about kids' ministry, and since we're on TCU's campus for the annual "church fair" today, it's only logical to next turn to the question of students (7th - 12th grade) and college-aged ministry. Just as we want even our youngest "City folk" to be connected as much as possible to the church body as a whole (and are structuring our children's ministry accordingly), we want that same principle to guide our ministry to adolescents. We don't want to create "many mini churches" under one label; we want to be one united family.
Since its creation in the mid-1900's, separate "youth" ministries (or student, teen, etc. ministries) have dealt with a well-known issue, "where do I go when I graduate?" This age-stage ministry (as it's technically labeled) often looks so different from "big church," graduating students or students who don't connect with "big church" search for something that feels and looks like what they're used to. When they can't find it, the well-documented statistic goes something like this: "70% of students in high school youth groups have left the church within a year after high school graduation" (bible.org).
Historically, churches in more urban centers, where 18-35-year olds flock after high school, have combated this by adding a college-aged ministry, young adult ministry, second/"contemporary" service, or something of the like. Two issues arise here: first, you haven't solved the problem at all; you've only prolonged it a few more years: what happens when they graduate college? Or become a "normal/not-so-young" adult? The problem is back. Second, you've created "a church within a church" - at least on some level, two or more at-least-mostly-separate bodies under one banner.
SO... what will student/college ministry look like at The City Church?
Short answer: a lot like it does with the entire church family, with students in Villages, All-Church Gatherings, and on mission, for the glory of God and the good of Fort Worth.
Long answer: In All-Church Gatherings, persons from junior high up will celebrate together, singing, praying, taking communion, hearing sermons and testimonies, and growing as one unified body. For college-aged students in the rest of "City life," we may create a freshman-specific Village to cover some "basics" for new folks, but our goal is for university-aged students to join cross-generational Villages, enabling the "older men and women pouring into younger men and women" concept from Scripture, while allowing younger persons to add more life and vibrancy as generations grow together.
We currently foresee giving junior high and high school students two options: they can either join an age-specific Village, which will meet each week like other Villages and will be led by college-aged or older adults for the cross-generational benefit, or they can join a cross-generational Village, interacting and growing with the rest of the body. Additionally, The City will host student- and college-specific events periodically throughout the year, understanding the value of peer connection and affinity.
Like I said in yesterday's post about kids, this is just the foundation; the first step of our ministry to students of Fort Worth. And since we're still in "theory stage," it will likely change some as we build it out. But it will take many of us working together for the glory of God and the good of our kiddos to see this unfold into the best kids ministry we can create. If you have questions, thoughts, or feedback, or want to be involved in impacting the lives of junior high, high school, and college-aged students, post below or email Ben.
Next FAQ: What is The City Church's Leadership Structure?
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