Communities of Disciplemakers
One of the most encouraging things in my life and ministry is being in a community of like-minded people who love God and have dedicated themselves to serving students. Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” I have felt that sharpening as I have learned with others and we’ve shared struggles, stories, lessons, and prayers.
I don’t know any believer, and especially anyone in ministry, who doesn’t want that kind of community. But often, I think, the problem is knowing how to go about finding that kind of sharpening if we’re not lucky enough to have it just happen on its own. That’s why, in many locations, EFCA district directors have been encouraging youth workers to join intentional learning communities to experience these kind of relationships and the sharpening that, as a principle, comes out of them.
ReachStudents has put together this definition of a learning community: “A learning community is a highly relational and intentional gathering of youth ministry peers who seek to sharpen one another in life and ministry as we follow Jesus together. We desire to model a disciplemaking lifestyle while building disciplemaking ministries.”
Each learning community gathering has four components: share, train, evaluate and pray. Because relationships are at the heart of learning communities, a time of sharing is essential. Each learning community begins with a time for sharing personal and ministry prayer requests in pairs or small groups. Training is also a key part of the schedule, since the idea is to be a community that learns together. This time is used for studying Scripture and sharpening our character, leadership skills, and ministry strategy. Recognizing the importance of accountability, learning communities also have time for personal evaluation and sharing with others how we’ve been implementing personal and ministry practices from the last month’s meeting. And finally, there is a time of prayer with and for each other, knowing that a real Christlike community will not happen apart from prayer.
Last year I had the privilege of being a part of two different learning communities, and I always left them feeling encouraged. It’s a greet feeling to know that others are fighting alongside me for the hearts of students and the mission of God, that they’re going through the same headaches and heartbreaks, that I am not alone. I’ve also found in invaluable to learn from their experience and to be challenged by the things God puts on their hearts.
Ron Kirkeeng, pastor of middle school ministries at the EFC of Crystal Lake, IL, has been a part of a learning community in his area for years. “I enjoy the continuous inflow into my heart from peer relationships and learning with others how to follow Jesus,” he shared. “It has deepened my calling and passion to be a dsicplemaker and played a huge part in affirming my calling as a youth pastor. It has made me hungry to get learning and growing as a disciple of Jesus, husband, father, and pastor.”
If you are interested in being a part of a learning community, contact your district director to see if there is one in your area or to let him know you would be interested in starting one.
Jennifer M. Kvamme is the student ministries coordinator at Centennial EFC (Forest Lake, MN). She also works for Cadre Ministries, developing training materials for local churches and youth ministries, and is the author of number of devotionals and Bible studies. She lives in Hastings, MN, with her wonderful husband, Greg.
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