Every successful ministry has to have a structure. The pastors who wing it week to week will burn out and they nor their ministry will grow. Every ministry I have led since the 90’s have been different in culture and style but one thing is constant they needed structure. My church subscribes to the “Purpose Driven” model created by Rick Warren at Saddleback church. So in our vernacular when referring to organizational structure we refer to our purpose and the audience. The bases and the circles. If you are unfamiliar with the purpose driven model then you should read the Purpose Driven Church by Rick Warren.
Surge Youth Ministries is the youth ministry of James Island Baptist Church. This is the ministry that I was hired to repurpose, retool and relaunch. It was not an easy task and after 3 years we are finally gaining some steam. Much of the recent success is that students and leaders are beginning to buy into the culture of the ministry. I’d like to share our organizational structure with you and maybe it will inspire you or reinforce what you are already doing.
Surge n. A sudden powerful forward or upward movement, especially by a crowd.
What is the Mission?
To REACH the students, REDEEM the generation and RESTORE the family by RECOGNIZING our purpose and REVIVING our hearts through worship.
What are our Values?
Safe Place
Understanding Culture
Relentless pursuit of the lost
Growth of the Spirit
Exciting Environments
What is the Vision?
Community – Movies under the Oaks, Mega Surge
Crowd – Jesus Pizza
Church – Surge Worship, The Landing
Committed – Connection Groups, Discipleship Options
Core – Core Team
What is the Strategy?
Reach kids on campus, invest in them and invite them to Surge, Grow deeper in the faith through bible study and send them out to reach their friends and serve those in need.
What are the Goals?
June 2017 – worship 50, baptism 5
December 2017 – worship 111, baptism 15
Over the next few days I will unpack each part of the structure, how I came up with it? Why is it necessary? etc
Sean Rheaume 