5 Lessons for Leaders of the New Senior Class

It’s that time again in college ministry. High school students walk across the platform and become college students. I had flash backs recently as I spoke with a friend graduating a group of girls into college ministry. Just two years ago I was in her shoes and I’m sharing 5 lessons for the leaders of the New Senior Class (aka things I wish someone told me).

1. Don’t Allow Group Opposition

This one I learned the hard way. As a student ministry leader my small group girls didn’t get along with the other group of girls in their grade. I unknowingly bred disconnect and dislike between the two groups. It didn’t occur to me they would become one group when they graduated. As a result our college ministry suffered. Student leaders…please don’t allow and participate in the clashing of small groups. Please look forward. When we allow opposition to grow we hurt the future of their participation in the body of Jesus. There are no sides in the body of Christ, we are all on the same team. Let’s act like it.

2. Help them Connect to the College Ministry

Do your students know their college minister? Do you know your college minister? Have you ever stepped foot into your college ministry? Help your students connect with the college ministry in your church. Take them to your college ministry’s weekly service, introduce them to the college minister, invite the college ministry to participate in Senior activities. Do whatever you can as a leader to help them connect NOW before it’s too late. I know, you have so little time with them and you want it all for yourself. (I GET THAT) But invite your college ministry leaders into the lives of your students and help your students connect with them.

3. Speak Well of Your College Ministry

It amazes me how much students pick up on our words and attitude. Do you set your college ministry up for failure because of what you say, act or treat the college ministry? Are you critical? Or do you speak praise and encouragement? Remember, your words will fall flat if your attitude is wrong. Students know how you really feel about a person or a ministry.  Be intentional to speak well of your college ministry (and MEAN IT).

4. Promote Early

This is SO BIG. If you promote in August, you leave one or two weeks for the college ministry to invest in your students before they leave for school. By promoting early in the summer (by June 1^st) you enable your students to plug in early while the senior class is still together. You create opportunities for the college ministry to connect with them. You may not be the person who makes the decision for when your students promote, but you can speak on their behalf and help create change in this area. Promote your students as soon as they graduate….it makes a HUGE difference.

5. We Care about Your Students Too

I know how much you care about your kids. I cried my last Sunday with my small group (knowing I would see them the next week in college ministry).  Know that we love your kids too. We want to grow with them and walk with them as they pursue Jesus. I know how hard it is to let go. I still squeal every time one of my small group girls walks in the door (because they never stop being yours).  We are here and ready to invest in your students, so trust us knowing we truly care for them and cannot wait to know them better.

Photo Credit: Jessle Johnson

Costume Jewelry Corsage

This Sunday will be my mom’s first Mother’s Day without her mom. I wanted to do something special to honor my Mom and my Grandmother. As a little girl, every Mother's Day Dad and I bought my Mom a corsage to wear to church (anyone else do this? Or is that just a small town thing?). My Costume Jewelry Corsage is a nod to a tradition in our family and a way to honor my Grandmother this Mother's Day.

In January when our family gathered for my grandmother’s memorial we went through all of my grandmother’s jewelry. After everyone had been through the jewelry and picked out what they really wanted I quietly gathered some clip on earrings into a bag knowing I wanted to do something special for my mom.

At first I thought I wanted to create an art piece for her using the earrings, but then I had this idea to create a Mother’s Day Corsage. Like all crafty people I thought my idea was totally new and I would create something no one else had ever seen (that was short lived with one Pinterest search).

I pinned several ideas, bought supplies and got to work.

Supplies:

• Costume Jewelry (brooches, earrings, etc)
• 1 Roll Floral Wire
• 2- Fabric Flowers (Small Flower Found Here)
• 1- Burlap Leaf Stem
• 1 Roll lace ribbon 
• 1 pkg Pin Backs
• Burlap Doily
• Corsage Box
• Wire Cutter

I wired each earring with floral wire being careful to leave a long tail (4-6 inches).

I took all my items and began playing with different ideas. But I didn’t like it. It wasn’t what I wanted. It was flat and one dimensional (and not very good looking).

After 30 minutes of playing and not liking what I was seeing I asking my friend Michelle if she would help me. (Never be afraid to call in a creative friend) Michelle helped me get past my crafting block and press on. We took all the pieces apart and grouped and wrapped them together.

We started with the burlap leaves and single fabric flower (I bought these in the wedding section of Hobby Lobby. They were already on wire.) Then we began pulling in the earrings. I loved where it was heading, but wanted to incorporate more.

I attached another fabric piece (which I bought in the sale section of Hobby Lobby) using my trusty glue gun and then wrapped in more of the earrings.

When I knew I was finished I wrapped the stem up as tight as I could (still making it look corsage like) and used some pliers to push down any ends of wire. I wrapped the stem with lace ribbon to give it a finished look and attached a pin back to the back on the corsage.

I packed my corsage in a corsage box, with a burlap cut out and more lace ribbon and sent the corsage off to my mom for Mother’s Day.

Mom- I love you!! Thank you for being such a great example to me, for loving me, pushing me, and showing me how to serve God and serve people!  

I've Linked up with Skip to My Lou  and Tatertots and Jello on this post.