Middle School Monday

Middle School Ministry is quite a phenomenon. When I came to Nappanee Missionary Church over 4 1/2 years ago now I was a little uncertain of how Middle School ministry worked after I had been working with 7th-12th graders for 7 years prior to that. Since then God has really opened my eyes to the amazing opportunity that Middle School Ministry holds. Here's some things I've learned over the last few years:

1. Sobering statistics - Although statistics vary a little it is said that 80% of people accept Christ before age 14. This is is proof of the need for Middle School ministry and leaders who will invest in them. As I look back to my first steps with Christ they were when I was 13.

2. Investment is huge - The power of an adult who invests in a Jr. Higher is essential to their growth process. As I look at the leaders I work with currently and the leaders who worked with me when I was in Middle School, the impact an adult leader can make in their spiritual formation is priceless.

3. Moldability - One of the refreshing things with Middle Schoolers is that their middle school time is a huge window for forming their own beliefs about God, friends, worldview and more. Because they are starting to really form their opinions about these things there is a moldability to them that sometimes is harder to see in Sr. Highers.

4. Squirrely - Yes, middle schoolers can be squirrely and eratic at times but the great thing is that as an adult leader you don't have to fit in to a sterotyped role to have impact in them. You can be goofy with them, laugh with them and more than not, your athletic ability or lack their of is actually a powerful weapon.

More to come. . . stay tuned