the Monday Morning Debrief: Motivating Students

In case you missed it, August 1st was Chick Fil-A day for all those who supported Chick Fil-A President Dan Cathy for his comments recently about marriage.  It was a huge success and Chick Fil-A resturants all across America were packed with people “supporting” the President.  Then, on August 4th, same-sex couples exercised their same right to rally and staged a “kiss-in” to support same-sex marriages.  It was far less attended but still people rallied around this cause.

So how does this apply to ministry?

Both these rallies the past week took just days to organize and rally around.  Yet, time and time again, student ministries around the country plan and prep for weeks and months for certain events that draw far less and have a ton less impact that teens rally around.  What gives?  How can someone rally around a cause that draws national attention, yet student ministries fail to draw a portion of that for events that seem to have greater significance?  Do Student Ministers have to say something controversial to draw attention?

So, I’m seeking your thoughts.  TAKE A MINUTE (or 2) and post what you think the difference between what happened with Chick Fil-A and what is happening in student ministries across the county.  What does it take to motivate students to rally around what you are doing?  Is it even possible to rally students around a much greater cause?  I would love to hear your thoughts.