CHURCH v. STATE
I’m going to summarize the background information: “I’m going to present in a JH classroom, and travel with the football team 2 days a week for 10-15 weeks.”
“How do I stay true to my role as a student pastor in a situation that doesn’t allow for me to be overt in my faith? How far is too far in this situation?”
Thanks for the question Dusty. First things first: you’re not really concerned with being true to your role as a student pastor, at least I hope you’re not. I’m sure you are concerned with being true to what Christ as called you toward. I’m confident this is what you meant, but I wanted to double check and make sure to everyone reading that I could care little about you being faithful to a role/job/ministry/whatever. I care a lot about a person being faithful to Jesus.
You are going to do video for a football team. I don’t see any conflict here. I can hardly imagine situations where a conflict might arise. That is to say, I don’t see where the rub would happen UNLESS you’re one of those people who is obnoxious with their faith.
I guess I need a better understanding of what you means for you to be OVERT IN YOUR FAITH. Let’s say the coach says, “stand over there.” you say, “I will, and I’m also standing on the solid rock of God’s Word, you have a good playbook coach, but have you read God’s playbook?” or something like that.
Of course, now it sounds like I’m making fun of you. I’m really not. I don’t know you, and understand your question fully. I AM MAKING SOME ASSUMPTIONS with are exaggerated in order to bring some wisdom to bear on this question. Read this paragraph twice if you are bummed.
The best wisdom is to be normal. All things to all people to reach them doesn’t mean being a freak of nature and/or a social misfit.
The best wisdom is to be normal and be a friend. How would you be overt with your faith to someone you don’t know that well? I hope it’s to serve like crazy (cup of cold water and all) and no on is going to argue like that.
The best wisdom is to be normal, be a friend, and don’t go looking for conflict. As far as it is possible, live at peace with everyone. When you love someone like crazy, it’s tough for this to be criticized. You’re being invited to provide a service, so serve. You’re not walking into a synagogue or to a public soapbox to teach and encourage. You’re not among a family of believers where it’s your duty to correct and discipline heretics and apostates.
The best wisdom is for you to be normal, be a friend, serve like crazy, and be ready for the opportunities to make a difference with your words. Always be prepared to preach the word, in season and out of season (by the way, I’d consider your video responsibilities as a time that is “out of season” to preach), you may have the right moment to invite someone, or give them a wise piece of advice, or tell them the truth you know.
Do not forget the dangers of the pride that comes with a messiah complex. Salvation and a person’s choosing to have faith is not so fragile that it has to happen right then, in that moment. You can delay a conversation. You can offer a question and say, “consider this and let’s talk at another time.” This is not weakness, in fact it is more difficult, for it requires a mind that has to be ready for more situations than the FOUR SPIRITUAL LAWS allows for. It is more difficult because you don’t get to put a notch in the CRUSADER belt… very few delight in a badge of meekness.
Wisdom is a great evangelism tool. It opens a lot of doors. It’s tough, because it’s hard to come by, especially when platitudes are plentiful. It’s easier to judge and preach rather than to listen and question.
Most people aren’t happy, this is an easy door to walk through… anyhow, I look forward to the comments on this one. There’s a lot of issues here, and this time I decided to keep the blog down a little bit.
mattmcgill
if you’re interested: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Separation_of_church_and_state
10 Comments so far
Leave a reply
Great wisdom Matt. I agree being normal and serving like crazy speaks volumes more than being the crazy youth pastor with a video camera preaching at the team.
I know kids open up to normal people around their team, and when those opportunities come, speak truth to their lives. Be prepared, and be thankful for this great opportunity to serve and partner with the school.
I totally agree with you Matt and Tyler. I once heard -all good ministry starts in the context of relationship. If we focus on being who God made us to be (normal) than God will open opportunities for us to share is truth in love.
Matt,
First, thanks for taking a stab at my question but I am still needing some help. My concern wasn’t about if I would have any preaching opportunities. I was trying to figure out what I should do when approached by students as a student pastor when I am preforming duties at a school function. For instance, I am on the bus on the way back from a playoff game and a player sits down next to me and begins asking questions about faith. He knows that I am the youth guy at IBC and he sees me on and off campus from time to time. How should I handle that situation. I dont want to put the school in a situation where a third party complains. I deffinately dont want to let that student down. Even though at that moment I am working for the school I am a Christian and every student/coach on that bus knows I am a pastor. How do you respond appropriately for the situation?
The second situation that was mentioned was that I was to be a presenter at the Jr High Career Day. This happened last week and I was actually given wuite a bit of slack but when students began asking about salvation I gave my email address and told them I would love to talk to them later. The problem is those students appeared to feel blown off and I havent heard from them.
So what is a realistic measuring stick for how much I can share about faith.
My thought is if they ask, go for it and share. What more of an invitation do they need? If the school or someone complains, the argument is the person asked for your particular “viewpoint.”
A few years ago I had told a student that was playing basketball at the High School that if the coach needed some help I would be willing to help….a couple weeks later I was offered a “paying coaching” position. Everyone pretty much knew me as a youth pastor in town and when opportunities came from students I took advantage of them. God used this position to help me in developing relationships with coaches, players, and parents. I even was able to coach AAU teams as well.
Scott,
I am sure you were faced with moments like I described. How did you respond?
Dusty-
I think you should respond just like any Christian teacher would that might be a coach if a student brings up questions on faith. In my experience I looked at this as an opportunity to develop relationships with students. As time went on some of these students would start attending our youth ministry whether it was our weekly gathering or ski trips and outreach events. Skiing wasn’t such a bright idea during basketball season in case some players got hurt…but fortunately that never happened…whew!
If students did ask me questions on a bus one way I would respond is to set up a meeting later and go grab a coke or something with them. Hope that helps.
So, I guess based on the responses I have gotten that the best thing to do is to set up a time off campus to meet. Or to try and encourage students to attend church functions. Is there ever a time that it is appropriate to share the gospel fully and directly while at a school sponsored event? My gut says that it may be a legal mine field and an ACLU party but that it is worth the risk.
Now dont get me wrong, I am not advocating preaching in the lunch room or deliberatly trying to coerce a student to have a conversation on faith. And I totally agree that the ideal situation is to build a relationship with a student prior to delving into conversations of faith. I also feel that no one should be allowed to walk onto campus for the express purpose of trying to “convert” students.
I do however feel that we should sieze the moment to share our faith in Christ when it is presented rather than wait for a “more suitable” time.
I am still battleing within my heart and mind to find the answer. I feel I wont have standard answer but will have to take each situation individually and respond as faithfully as I can.
you will be fine.
how often are you asked a question that you have to share the gospel in a way that everyone around you hears what you’re talking about?
If you’re concerened with what happens when people come up to you and ask you a question, then I think you can put those concerns to rest….
Hey, we face a similar situation during our Mexico Mission, in that Americans aren’t allowed to preach (without a certain visa that we don’t have). We are however allowed to share our personal testimonies.
I feel like the whole of the gospel and the deeper life can be shared honestly in the context of your personal testimony/experience — honoring the school and its desire not to coerce and being faithful in your witness and responsive to the students at the same time.
I’m not in that position in the schools, though, that’s just my opinion.