Expanding Staff

I believe God blesses the areas of our church’s life in which we are most willing to be sacrificial in our investment. Further, if we’re unwilling to invest in a group of people, I think God often withholds the blessings of growth in that area. We’ve done some heavy investing in our children’s ministries and God has blessed. We expanded our budget, hired staff, and recruited more willing and loving volunteers and we’ve seen child after child come to know the Lord and become a part of Bethel, their parents usually with them.

We’ve talked a lot in 2008 about the need to take the next step with our teen and student ministries. This is the generation that could bring revival to our land and a renewal of the missions movement of the last century and a half, but we must invest in them. This past Sunday night, we voted unanimously to begin a search for a full-time Youth Pastor. Along with this change, we’ll be expanding their budget as well. He’ll oversee the Jr. and Sr. High ministries. You can even read his job description here.

I believe God will answer our prayer for the right couple and that He’ll bless with growth in this area. My only fear is that we’ve waited too long and will lose a few of those students we have involved now. Nevertheless, I’m ecstatic about the possibilities. These are exciting times at Bethel Baptist Church. I think we have a fairly unique staff situation that works well for us. We have a large number of volunteers ready to serve, at least in comparison with most similar-sized churches. We’re poised for reaching a community that really needs Christ.

When it comes to adding staff, I believe in it strongly. Buildings are secondary issues – means to an end. But adding staff means adding people, talent, and leadership to the mix. When we add staff, we’re expanding our base of operations. We’re recruiting additional coaches of people who can then become leaders themselves. And if the church should invest in anything, it should invest in people.

Our next need (yep, I’m thinking ahead already) is to continue up the ladder to focus on college and career age adults. They are out of high school and searching for direction. It’s the time they get married, get a job, go to school, and maybe have their first child. It’s a crucial decision making time and it’s the next gap in Bethel’s ministry. When our Student Pastor comes and our youth ministry moves into high gear, we’ll be ready to focus on this next significant area of need.

I’m pumped – let’s get started! Teenagers are worth it! Young adults are worth it! They’re the world changers for this generation and God can use them mightily!