Making a Kingdom Impact - farm system style...

I love to use the example of the farm system in baseball as an approach to building leaders who can make a Kingdom impact.  You may have already heard me share this in various settings, but here is the simple version – a farm system in the context of local youth ministry that will multiply the efforts of the local church. The organization I lead, Youth Outreach United, works to help churches build strong Kingdom-focused youth programs and we start right there in the church we partner with. We look at the youth group at church as it should be; the place for equipping students and I believe all students should be challenged and prepared to reach out  to their schools, communities and the world with the Gospel and not just a place entertain them.  I believe students are ready for that challenge and ready to put everything on the line for something greater than themselves while trying to find what God wants them to do for Him.

So what works?  Well while developing a farm team that produces leaders for our churches is not for the faint of heart, it is the key to equipping and empowering a generation of leaders who can humbly and confidently lead the Church to fulfill its mission on earth.  It is also the most rewarding part of working with students. So let’s look at the practical steps you take to see a ministry of multiplication come to life.

Single A = Discipleship

I liken the Single A players in a baseball farm system to those students who have given their life to Christ.   They have been drafted by God to be a part of the most incredible team in history. The next step for these new, Single A leaders has been correctly called discipleship over the years. This is nothing new, but I would ask you how focused you are on real discipleship. Having the opportunity to speak to middle and high school students at their campus clubs on a regular basis, I often open the first talk of the school year with some basic Bible trivia, real simple questions.  What I find is that many Christian students either do not know or read their Bibles on a regular basis.  I have shown up to a crowded room of students at a church youth group and asked them to all hold up their Bible, and only three had brought a Bible with them.  Youth Leaders must be committed to rally kids to go deeper and deeper in the study of God’s word. I am not just talking about numbers of seats filled in small group or the quality of your curriculum. I want to see how fruitful our youth groups become when we are teaching students to study the Bible for themselves. Now that’s discipleship!

Double A = Serving

Double A players in our farm system consist of those students equipped to serve. The practical way students can apply the principle of dying to themselves is by serving others without expecting anything in return.  Short term summer mission trips are an important part of this, but students also need to serve some of the other 50 plus weeks in a year and youth leaders need to lead the way.  I challenge you to find local opportunities for serving and missions and to use these opportunities as monthly activities for students. Students need opportunities to learn to use their gifts and talents to further the Kingdom, and it is the youth leader’s duty to cultivate environments where they can do this while experiencing what it’s like to sacrifice for the cause of Christ.

Triple A = Leading Ministry

Your Triple A team will consist of students who are ready to actually lead and oversee ministry.  These are not individuals who just discuss the calendar and make announcements, but students who have been practicing discipleship and service and now are stepping up to lead ministry on their campus and ministry teams in youth group. They are learning to teach, plan, dream and execute. They are the ones you sit back and watch; the ones who have the seed for effective ministry in their hearts.

Like I said, not for the faint of heart, but Jesus and His Kingdom exalted is worth every minute you will invest.  And God lets you come along for the ride and see amazing things happen that will build your faith too.  Take the challenge- you won’t regret it. Triple A all the way!