Guest Post by Cindy Bledsoe
Step 2: Look for structured and non-structured ministry opportunities
The second way you can harness the power of summer camps for ministry is to look for both structured and non-structured ministry opportunities.
Structured ministry opportunities are activities that are planned in advance to provide a ministry opportunity. This can be anything from the activities of the day, the devotional lesson you will share, a skit, a game, etc.
Non-structured ministry opportunities are unplanned opportunities that arise throughout the days and weeks at camp that can be used to share and reinforce the gospel message. We also call these opportunities teachable moments. Examples of these include: a child cheating while playing a game, a child pushing another child, children arguing during a game, dealing with a difficult parent or counselor, etc. All of these are teachable moments that can be used to share the gospel message.
How to do this:
-Be on the lookout for both structured and non-structured opportunities for ministry.
-Anticipate possible opportunities and formulate a plan of action.
-Know how to apply the gospel message to different scenarios.
-Train your staff in responding to these opportunities.
