What’s the point?

Hi Rachel, good questions!

I’ve recently returned to doing lunchtime groups after a couple years of not doing them. I had got to the point a couple years back where I just wanted to be out there in the corridors, in the lunch hall, in the playground, being available for students/staff, to have that flexible time that you just don’t have if you’re running clubs every lunchtime.

However I’ve now reached that place where I’m really wanting to build a bit deeper with some of the conversations that have been happening, and provide a space where students can come and meet others who can join in the conversation too. I’m going through a process at the moment of figuring out exactly what that lunchtime group is going to look like in September, which is why Im starting it now and working with a small group of young people to develop a format to launch properly next term.

There’s one thing I have decided, and that is that I’m not the one with the answer right now to how this is going to work. For a while God has been building an excitement in me for this particular school, and there is a local youthworker who also does some work in the school and we meet to pray and have both sensed God building something in us. watch this space I guess!

An exciting development in the last few weeks has been a staff prayer group that has begun one morning before school (after a request from one of the staff!), and also a suggestion from one of the students that we start a prayer group for them!

I think an important distinction there for me, coming back to your question Rachel, is that the aim for this second lunchtime group will be a space for Christian students (and it’s ok to make it specific) who love God and want to see Him known in the school. There are a couple students I was chatting to today who are really up for this, and I just want to encourage them to go for it. For them too take lead of this group and even if it’s just the two of them, to walk beside them as they start this adventure! And I think that is probably a big key in thinking about the question of ‘why are no young people coming?’ or ‘what;s the purpose of a club?’....it has to come from them, from what God is showing for that specific school or group of students. And importantly, to have students willing to stand up and take a lead. They are the ones who will ultimately be the biggest influence in their school.

Ok, there were my rambling thoughts, and didn’t even get onto how you measure success!!

Greetings

Good stuff. Only yesterday I was in a school facing a very difficult time as a pupil had killed herself and whilst ‘being there’ along with others to help / support / listen etc another lass comes upto and says she is really keen to see a christian group start up at her school. Others are interested so hopefully this will happen - maybe next term as there are also some supportive staff. For me groups that start this way - from within and driven by those already there have a life of their own. Most groups that exist around here are led by pupils, staff, outsiders (or a combination of any). Numbers aren’t important - I think it’s about those who want to meet meeting and people like us doing what we can to support - enable and encourage. I’m not directly involved in any groups as they tend to run themselves. I see my role in support / encouraging and the like and when I’m in their school I’ll pop in from time to time and the rest of the time be ‘Hanging Around’ with the other young people / staff outside of the group. I find through ‘HAM’ I have some brilliant chats - opportunities and the like with people on their territory - in their time and this can (and does) lead to other things. 

The aims and the like others have shared above are helpful / useful but I don’t think we do ourselves any favours if we focus to much on just numbers. A group with 3 that want to be there / make a difference is arguably more useful than a larger group who maybe attend because?? or not really with it. Also in the schools round here that do have groups for various reasons some christians don’t / can’t be part of it. Not necesaarily a major problem..some are doing other good things / hopefully all are helped / supported in their respective local churches (not always the case I know). So I see groups two ways - great if they are there - we can help etc. Not major if a school doesn’t have one but the christians in that school are being helped in other ways with our presence and the like. Actually harder to be a christian in school at lunch etc when not in a group than in a group - although both have there place. Let’s continue to do what we can both in and out and may God continue to lead, guide and use the christians in our schools all the time with or without a group.

Some schools won’t allow groups (for various interesting reasons) other schools the time available has reduced significantly over the years and to try and have it at another time (before or after) doesn’t often work. What always works is as we (and others) encourage those variety of christians in our schools to be Jesus- that is what has impact and so if there is no group..the impact is still there. Glory! I think of a lass called Anna where this happened…won’t go on now though.

Have a good day / weekend.

Wayne Dixon