BG is focused on developing people for ministry.
Last August, the elders appointed Teddy Yesudasan as Director of Student Ministries (DSM). The elders do not usually ask members to vote on non-pastoral positions. In our quarterly meeting today, however, we are asking members to approve a new concept.
Teddy has felt called to pastoral ministry and we agree with him. The DSM position is designed to expand his role at BG gradually over the next two years.
With BG’s youth leaders, parents, and students, we have crafted a job description that starts with middle and high schoolers. Teddy’s focus is to give our youth program the energy, discipleship, and team-building it needs to grow.
After 6 months, the elders and I will evaluate the job description. Is there time within the budgeted hours for Teddy’s role to expand? If so, we will add responsibilities with college students. After 1 year, we will evaluate the job description again. If the ministries are on track, we will expand the role to include oversight over BG’s emerging model of Christian education.
This steadily expanding role allows BG to do two things as we raise up a new generation of staff.
First, we can pursue a big goal. BG needs to have a strategy for the spiritual formation of our young people from the nursery to college. What should discipleship look like for our 8-year-olds? How will it prepare them for the challenges they will face at 13? Or 18?
Eventually, we will ask Teddy to lead us in reaching this goal.
Second, the expanding job description allows us to pursue the goal step by step. Teddy doesn’t have to sink or swim in a demanding role. He can gain new skills over time. During this period, he will not only take on new responsibilities, he will be going through seminary.
Lord willing, BG will raise up a new associate pastor from our own congregation.
The elders are asking the members to approve this plan as a model for developing our people in the future.