The reason we do ministry is to see students come to know Christ in a deeper way. We also want them to grow in confidence and boldness in sharing the Gospel. Do you currently have a process for identifying students’ gifts and passions and showing them how those things can be used in ministry? This is what discipleship is all about and exactly what Fine Arts is designed to do!
Fine Arts is a tool that your ministry can use to disciple your students with a specific purpose in mind. Discipleship happens in the process, as well as in the presentation. Practices give you a time to meet with students on a regular basis outside of your weekly services. This helps you discover what they are good at and shows them how those things can be used to serve God and others!
Through Fine Arts students also grow deeper in their relationship with God and with other students. Youth leaders have reported many of the most committed, connected, and hungry students have been those involved in Fine Arts. In one particular instance, a student’s whole family started coming to church because of his involvement with Fine Arts.
Don’t worry, you DO NOT have to be an expert in each category to be a Fine Arts Coach. Your job is to help students identify where they may have a gift or talent and then encourage them in those areas.
Fine Arts is about the students. They need to take some ownership for creating their entries. You as the coach help keep them accountable to improve and refine their gifts and talents.
To get started, provide the list of categories to your students and have them sign up with what they would be interested in entering. Then brush up on the guidelines for those categories in the rulebook and figure out when you will need to start practices. The chart on the next page can help.