Be an Alongsider
Get involved in the lives of some young people near you
When we don’t see change in a student’s life—or anyone’s life—we often think that they must need more information. We give them another message.
What most students need is not more information; they don’t know how to implement into their lives the truth they’ve already heard. What they need is a model, an “alongsider.” They need someone they trust and respect to draw them close and show how truth (information) has been integrated into life.
I think this is why Jesus instructed His disciples to repeat what He had been doing by teaching others (implied: how) to obey everything He had commanded them (Matthew 28:19).
Consider carefully how you deliver your information, especially if you’re in youth-ministry leadership. But give even more attention to how you draw young people close, so they can observe how you have integrated truth into the ordinary places and spaces of your life.
Shane Stacey is national director of EFCA ReachStudents and a member of First EFC in Minneapolis, Minn. After Challenge 2010 (the EFCA student conference), 75 percent of attendees proved the truth of this article by saying, “I need someone to walk alongside me, ’cause I can’t do it on my own.”
Be an Alongsider
WHEN WE DON’T SEE CHANGE IN A STUDENT’S LIFE–or anyone’s life–we often think that they must need more information. We give them another message.
What most students need is not more information; they don’t know how to implement into their lives the truth they’ve already heard. What they need is a model, an “alongsider.” They need someone they trust and respect to draw them close and show how truth (information) has been integrated into life.
I think this is why Jesus instructed His disciples to repeat what He had been doing by teaching others (implied: how) to obey everything He had commanded them (Matthew 28:19).
Consider carefully how you deliver your information, especially if you’re in youth-ministry leadership. But give even more attention to how you draw young people close, so they can observe how you have integrated truth into the ordinary places and spaces of your life.
Shane Stacey is national director of EFCA ReachStudents and a member of First EFC in Minneapolis, Minn. After Challenge 2010 (the EFCA student conference), 75 percent of attendees proved the truth of this article by saying, “I need someone to walk alongside me, ’cause I can’t do it on my own.”