Our Philosophy Of Discipling High Schoolers

The later adolescent years are a time of challenge. Students are challenging themselves philosophically, theologically, physically, relationally, socially, politically and vocationally. Ownership of the values, tools, and love from their parents is transferred. Pathways for adult life are explored and selected. These are years of dreaming of what could be possible. Our philosophy of ministry to high school youth includes:

1. Boys and girls meeting together. This is a time for students to learn to honorably negotiate mature social skills with the other gender. We lead students to see the God-designed value in both men and women. High School ministry becomes a context to develop this skill and challenge the substance of these values.

2. Using the high school years as a time of proving.

Authenticity
Our culture offers many facades for your children to hide behind. Behind these are children grow discontent, lonely, and afraid. Left alone to their private worlds, they can enter adult life not knowing who they are or who God designed them to be. Through dialogue, experience, and relationship, we challenge their self-awareness and the reality of their progress on their journey to becoming adult men and women.

Future
As dreams for vocation, family, and ministry emerge. We will challenge students to see their potential. Students will be taught the standard by which they should judge a good life. We will seek to provide opportunities to taste and see their distinct contribution to family, ministry, and community.

Substance
The depths of the heart will be challenged by experiences that test the students' compassion, faith, spiritual discipline, and integrity. As the inner man is tested, the student will grow strong from the inside out.

3. High school students serving side by side with adults. Now is the time to welcome these emerging men and women into our adult world. They need to experience the struggle, the responsibility, and the victory of real life alongside other adults. For this reason we invite high school students into all areas of church life. Their spiritual gifting is not only valid but essential for the Kingdom of God.

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