Notes from the parent meeting on May 29

You may want to go to the CBC High School Student Ministry Channel on Vimeo.com and follow along with the first hour of the meeting...

Crossroads Bible Church Student Ministry
2011-2012 Ministry Plan

Student Ministry Mission Statement: The CBC student ministry exists to assist the parents we serve as they disciple their teenagers by preaching Christ and making disciples among the students God brings us in grades 6—college.
Based on an evaluation of the past year and a review of our beliefs and values, in this fiscal year, we’d like to focus on the following areas:

Objective: Give more support to volunteer high school small group leaders. This will include better training, enhanced encouragement, guidance & support. Goal: Start, July. Initial presentation: September. Year-round maintenance.

Objective: Re-define the purpose and goals of the high school Sunday School class. Align use of the class hour around those findings. Set realistic, measurable & objective goals regarding the implementation and execution of findings. Goal: Start, July. Ongoing evaluation throughout the year.

Objective: Integrate high school student ministry with children, middle school and college ministries. Design and implement a ministry vision based on findings from the “Orange” Strategy Conference. This may include a “family experience” as a basis for integration. Goal: Start (preliminary meetings already in progress), June 2010. Family Experience kick-off in Fall, 2011. Integration of ministries will be an ongoing process as to vision and degree.

Objective: Design and implement a ministry to parents. Initially, this may be to high school/middle school parents, however, the goal is tied to ministry vision from “Orange.” This could take a variety of forms. Goal: Start, immediately. Ongoing discussion and implementation as Orange strategy/plan unfolds.

Objective: Reiterate value of student ministry art gallery. Provide opportunities for students to innovatively create art in a variety of mediums. Goal: Start, July. 12 months worth of activities, including photography, “gonzo” art, & film.












Crossroads Bible Church Student Ministry
Parent’s Meeting Notes
May 29, 2011.

I. Introduction of Staff:

A. Brent McKinney, Pastor of Student Ministries.
1. Been at Crossroads full-time in this position since August, 1996.
2. Graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary, Auburn University.

B. Charlie Ridenour, Director of Middle School Ministries.
1. Been at CBC since October, 2008. Grew up in Double Oak.
2. Graduated from Moody Bible Institute and Wheaton College.

II. Mission Statement:

The CBC student ministry exists to assist the parents we serve as they disciple their teenagers by preaching Christ and making disciples among the students God brings us in grades 6—12.

“…assist the parents…”—
We are, quite simply, a resource that parents can use to the degree they have need. All of our “programs” may not be of specific use to your family. It is our understanding that of the 168 hours in a week, AT BEST, we can give 3 to any one kid…so, we’re well aware of our limitations.

“…we serve…”
It is our role to serve parents. The levels of service vary according to the needs of the family at any given time. One reality is that, at some time during high school, the teens will begin to make their faith their own…it is our desire to ensure that we reinforce the messages that parents have been giving their teens all along the way, so the teens can begin to make their faith their own while having a church staff that is saying the same things with a different voice.

“…as they disciple their teenagers…”
We see the parents as the primary disciplers of their teenagers.

“…preaching Christ and making disciples…”
We are not babysitters or entertainers. We do not view our ministry as trying to keep kids out of trouble or helping them be better students or citizens. We see our role as to preach Christ, using the living and active Word (being careful to avoid manipulating their emotions) and trusting the Holy Spirit to grow each teen in His time, in His way. Making disciples who are effective servants and ministers is NOT something that takes place when they’re grown-ups.

“…the students God brings us in grades 6—12.”
We try to avoid “numbers” talk. Our aims are the same if 2 teens show up or 200 teens show up. We’ll trust Him to grow, or shrink, this ministry as He sees fit. Also, please don’t ask us to make exceptions to grade levels. However, in the interest of parents grasping the actual size of the ministry, we have been averaging 160 students in Sunday School and roughly 140 in small groups every week. The reality of this lies in YOUR expectations of our staff. We cannot give every single student the personal attention you may desire.

III. For the “Rookie Parents” Middle School vs. High School.

A. CBC schedule now “shifts.”

Your primary discipleship options have now changed. The Sunday School class meets during our 2nd service at 10:45AM, rather than at 9AM. There are continuing education classes in our CE department that give you options at 10:45.

Wednesday night will now become the primary night for discipleship, and it’s off-campus (we try to serve by alternating between FMHS and MHS districts).

B. Twice a month organized times of fellowship.

Fellowship is an important part of the discipleship process. There are opportunities informally as well (movie nights, post-SS lunches, etc.)

C. Mission Trips/Ski Trips/Conferences/Service projects.

Now your teen will be a part of the high school ministry, there will be ample opportunities for them to be a part of these at an age appropriate level…obviously increasing in responsibility as they get older.


D. Assimilation to CBC as well as “high school.”

We view the summer as a crucial time for both, and they “handshake” with each other. Wednesday nights are, by design, highly fellowship oriented…NEW FOR THIS SUMMER: FB STATUS/TWITTERIFFIC WEDNESDAYS!!! (our plan is to announce an inexpensive gathering each Wednesday at 4PM…such as “Meet at CiCi’s Pizza for dinner tonight at 6PM” or “Join us for Sno-Cones on 2499 at 7PM.” This will help form friendships that will help them in the fall as well as give them a positive introduction to the ministry.



E. Social differences to prepare for:

They’re now involved with 18-year-olds (this will involve more “mature subject matter”—both good, like college, and bad, like life experiences).
They will have options that will expose their character and decision making abilities (riding around with people old enough to drive, which changes decision-making).
The “dating” element—it changes from “crushes” to more serious levels.
The “spiritual” element—“everybody else seems to be understanding it, but not me.”
The “making their faith their own” element—differences in “understanding”—more questioning of what they believe.
More “artistic” elements: Film festival, art, museums, jazz, etc.

IV. Communication with you:

A. Sunday School is primary manner we give out information to students. Weekly announcements sheets, e-mailed as well, year-calendars, parent’s meetings, Grapevine, web site.
B. Brent@crossroadsbible.org; Please contact me and we’ll put you on the mailing list for weekly announcement sheet mailings as well as sign up forms, etc. Make sure to include your child’s grade/gender as that’s how we break out our mailing lists.
C. An additional way: Facebook. Simply “friend” me and ask me to put you on the parent list. TWITTER! Simply sign up and “follow” me.

V. How YOU can serve US:

A. Avoid the “traps” teens use to avoid coming to CBC:
1. “no one likes me/I have no friends there” (check THEIR attitudes)
2. “Brent hates me” (we don’t hate any kids; we do correct them)
3. Get another perspective on their story (not all kids get all the information correctly)

B. Encourage attendance at CBC main services (may require scheduling on your part). DISCUSSION OF ADDING A FAMILY WORSHIP SERVICE ON SATURDAYS AT CBC—NOTHING IS CONCRETE AND IT’S ONLY ONE IDEA OF MANY…but there are benefits of worshiping together and opening up service avenues we currently do NOT have.

C. Serve by example (CBC needs your gifts and talents)


D. Lead by example! It’s hard to get them involved if YOU aren’t involved.

E. “Helping” your teen (remind them of what they’re coming for; help them get ready for Sundays with homework/work/extracurriculars, etc.). HAVE THEM BRING THEIR BIBLES—PREFERABLY NOT ON THEIR PHONES! Brent teaches out of the NASB, but we recommend the New Living Translation for early high school, and then going to the NASB some time around their junior or senior year…maybe one they take to college, etc.


F. Please don’t take care of ministry business with us in hallways.

G. Please make a home phone call to us the LAST effort you make to get information. (It’s one phone call to you, but it’s 50 to us) Try finding the written materials, or the CBC office, web, etc.)

H. Please observe and be respectful of ALL deadlines.

I. Drop by to talk/chat about your student! We LOVE this!!! It’s always enjoyable to discuss where your teen “is” in life and how we can serve together to allow them to transform.

VI. Questions and Answers:

VII. Close in prayer.


Student Ministry Key Events/Dates:
Need a host home for a high school pool party on June 29!
Twitteriffic/Status Update Wednesdays begin July 6 and continue through August 3.
High School Mission Trip (Ireland): Date, July 11-26, 2011.
August 22: LISD start of school.
High School Small Groups Start: August 24. End 1st Semester, December 7.
Pine Cove Service Weekend: October 21-23.
Christmas Party: December 16. LISD Holiday Break: December 21.
Return to school, January 2, 2012.
High School Small Groups Start: January 11. End 2nd Semester, May 16.
No Agenda Retreat: January 13-15, 2012. Pine Cove Shores.
LISD Spring Break, March 19—23.
Senior Speeches: May 19.
LISD last day of school May 31 (or June 1 for inclement weather)
Graduation dates: June 3 (MHS & LHS), June 4 (FMHS).
High School Mission Trip: June 9-16, 2012 (moved forward a week).