This post is part of the Foundations Of Youth Ministry series. Check out the rest of the series!

I’m convinced that involving students in the larger church body is essential to keeping them involved in church for the long haul.  I think that there are many benefits, although there are a few challenges to the process as well.

I also believe that there is a biblical basis for this type of ministry.  I could mention the fact that David was selected for leadership at a very young age, or the possibility that many of the disciples were very young.

But I think it goes deeper than that.  I think that there is scriptural support for involving teens in all aspects of the church’s ministry.  Here’s why.

Involving students is delegating responsibility.
Jesus never exhibited a lone-ranger style of ministry.  He included his disciples in almost everything he did.  In fact, he showed them how to do ministry, and then sent out 72 of them to do it (Luke 10:1-12).  And ultimately, he left the church in the hands of these inexperienced followers after he ascended to Heaven.  (Acts 1:7-9)

Involving students provides a challenge for young believers.
Remember Peter’s experience with walking on the water with Jesus?  Jesus offered him a challenge, and he accepted it (Matthew 14:22-33).  Jesus modeled something incredible and Peter thought he could imitate Jesus.  But Jesus didn’t make it easy.  Involving students in ministry provides a challenge for them to do what they see adults doing.

Involving students displays a belief in them.
Jesus showed trust in his followers when he sent them out to do ministry alone (Luke 9:1-2).  Imagine how encouraging that is to a student.  When you believe that they can accomplish something significant in ministry, they bask in that encouragement.  And then they do it again and again.

Involving students shows trust in God’s plan.
Jesus promised that he would ask the Father to send the Helper (John 14:15-17).  God’s Spirit works in all believers, regardless of age.  In fact, believing that I’m the only one that can do a certain ministry squelches the Spirit.  God’s plan is bigger than you and I can see.  Just because he uses someone besides me doesn’t mean that it’s sub-par.  No, allowing students to participate in ministry shows faith that God will accomplish what he desires

Involving students helps others in ministry avoid burnout.
Take Moses, for example.  He tried to do it all himself.  Ministry became cumbersome.  Until his father-in-law gave him some great advice:  Involve others.  Moses was saved from burning himself out (Exodus 18:13-26; for another example from the life of Moses, see Numbers 11:11-15).  The same holds true today.  Allowing students to play a part in ministry saves someone else from having to do too much, maybe more than they could handle.  God understands the value of shared leadership.

These are just a few of the principles I see in Scripture that support the idea of students’ involvement in ministry.

What other biblical principles support this idea?  Let me know in the comments.