Pardigm exists to bring about a Student-led, Servant-minded Revolution to the lives of students everywhere.
The vision for Paradigm is to be...
STUDENT-LED, "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity." 1 Timothy 4:12
It is our desire to see students take real ownership in this youth ministry. When our students get involved, take ownership, and feel this ministry is an extension of them, incredible things will happen. Our youth must be taught how to be Godly leaders. Unfortunately, if they don't lead, they usually end up following. If our students can't lead in the church, then how will they lead in a world that is lost and dying?
SERVANT-MINDED, "...I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some." 1 Corinthians 9:22
It has been said that teenagers by nature are self-absorbed, that the only person they care about is themselves. This is true in part, but it can become a changed perception. Jesus was Lord of all because He was servant of all. Our goal is that our students would fully grasp this statement and live out their faith through service to Him and to others.
SALVATION-SEEKING, "...to seek and to save what was lost." Luke 19:10
This speaks of the necessity of deliverance through Jesus Christ. Our deepest desire is that the reality of Jesus Christ would bring about a revolution of body, mind, soul, and spirit in the hearts and minds of believers and unbelievers on a continual basis. If we don't learn to appreciate and seek out salvation for ourselvs and others we will take for granted what Christ obediently and sacrificially did for us. We must appreciate and further our deliverance and then share it with everyone that we come in contact with.
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart" is a call to WORSHIP -- awe of God.
"Love your neighbor as yourself" is a call to MINISTRY -- active love.
"God and make disciples of all nations" is a call to EVANGELISM -- courageous faith.
"Baptizing them" is a call to FELLOWSHIP -- real community.
"Teaching them to obey" is a call to DISCIPLESHIP -- growth.
The key to healthy student ministry lies in understanding and maintaining a balance of five biblical purposes of the New Testement church.
relationships + prayer --> growth
community crowd congregation committed core
The community student has no spiritual commitment; he is living apart from Christ.
The crowd student is committed to hearing about Christ; but may not be a Christian.
The congregation student is committed to a relationship with Christ and other Christians.
The committed student is committed to growing spiritually.
The core student is committed to serving others and sharing Christ with others.
PARADIGM68 (Junior High)
You, God and Real Life. This a weekly gathering of students in grades 6 through 8 committed to experiencing God through the use of personal relationships, Bible study, music, drama, and other relevant forms of media. They meet at 7:00 p.m. every Wednesday in the family auditorium, Bloomington room 30.
PARADIGM912 (Senior High)
What is God's perspective on living? He wants to open your eyes to a world you've never seen or experienced. Every Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m., students in grades 9 through college gather in the Sanctuary of the Bloomington campus to explore God's perspective on living, through the use of music, media, drama, worship, and a message that speaks to their spiritual, emotional, and relational needs.
MINISTRY TEAMS
These include the following teams: Altar, Audio/Video, Creative, Welcome, and Worship. These ministry teams all have a unique purpose, but together help make our Wednesday services the best they can be. They all play a very important part in helping our students on their walk with Christ.
LIFE GROUPS
Through our life groups, students are prepared to live out their faith in a community rather than as an individual. These groups exist to develop relationships for the purpose of spiritual growth and accountability. Honesty, authenticity, and commitment are the core values of these groups.
SUNDAY SCHOOL
Through the use of classroom interaction, small group discussions, and teacher presentations, our students learn what the Bible has to say about the issues they face on a daily basis. Sunday school meets at 9:45 a.m. at the Bloomington campus each Sunday morning.
STUDENT ADVISORS
Once a month the students of Paradigm meet to discuss teaching series and upcoming events. They practice dramas, make videos, design sets, and more. This is the place where your ideas are put into action. Student Advisors (SA) meets at 8:15 p.m. on the first Wednesday of the month in Bloomington room 192 (Prayer Chapel).
PARADIGM RETREATS
Minnesota Youth Convention, Winter Camp, and Summer Camp are three opportunities Paradigm offers to students in grades 6 through 12 to get away from their daily responsibilities and draw closer to God. Through services and small groups the students are challenged to hear God's voice and grow in their relationship with Him. In addition to growing closer to God, students will have a chance to build great friendships and have a lot of fun!
MISSION TRIPS
We believe every student should go on a mission trip before they graduate from high school. Yearly, we provide an opportunity for students to get out of their comfort zone to share the gospel around the world.
BATTLE DAY
Bloomington Area Teens Tackling the Local Environment is what BATTLE Day is all about. Through service projects with local non-profit agencies like Treehouse, Humane Society, and Salvation Army, students make a difference in their community.
FINE ARTS FESTIVAL
Every year students get a chance to develop their God given gifts at the Fine Arts Festival. There are several divisions students can enter including: art, communication, drama, instrumental, vocal, and writing.
Paradigm Student Ministries is a ministry of Cedar Valley Church. Here's a note from Lead Pastor, Jerry Strandquist:
Oh, to be young again! I know this is hard for you to believe but life goes by very quickly and the decisions you make in the next few years will impact the rest of your life. As a young person, you have many decisions to make but I believe there are three which are critical: your friends; response to authority; whether you will you live your life as a giver or taker.
I hope and pray you will choose friends who help you grow in your faith, and that is where Paradigm comes in. Paradigm is an opportunity for you to connect with others through youth services, life groups, ministry opportunities, and the broader community of Cedar Valley Church. You will have challenges with authority that come into your life, and your ultimate success will depend on how you respond to parents, teachers, coaches, police officers, or even to Pastors. Lastly, I pray you will be a giver and not taker. You will have an opportunity each day to give, reach, and impact people.
Pastor Strandquist
