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At Fishhook, we have a little phrase we use often: Never upstage the resurrection. It’s our reminder to keep the main thing the main thing. Jesus comes first. Always.

That is true in church communication and it is true in ministry. This summer, I had the privilege of leading worship at my church's student ministry camp. During the planning phase, I kept thinking about the importance of both deep spiritual work and joy, fun, hospitality and belonging. Both play a role in helping people become more open to Jesus.

As we planned for camp, I felt strongly that there needed to be a healthy balance between the "serious" and the "fun." We wanted students to hear God’s Word, to worship, pray and respond to what He was doing in their lives. We also wanted them to laugh, play, build traditions, spend time with friends and leaders and experience the kind of joy that comes from being fully present with people who care about them.

And what I got to experience and have a front row seat to was 180+ students leaning in with a real hunger for more of Jesus.

Letting Their Guard Down

I watched students worship freely, ask honest questions, pray with one another and respond to God. Deep spiritual work. But I also watched them laugh until they cried, dance without worrying about who was watching and simply enjoy being together. The joy and fun! Those things did not compete with each other. In many ways, I think they worked together.

When people feel known, loved and cared for, their guard begins to come down. When there is room to breathe, have fun and truly be ourselves, something shifts. Trust begins to grow and authentic conversations become easier. People become more willing to be vulnerable and more open to what God might want to show them. That kind of environment does not distract from Jesus. It can help create space for people to encounter Him.

Faith is Both Meaningful and Joyful

I think about King David in 2 Samuel 6, dancing before the Lord "with all his might." His joy was not a distraction from worship. It was worship. God was the reason for the celebration. There was reverence, but there was also freedom and delight.

I wonder if sometimes we become so careful about making faith meaningful that we forget it is also joyful.

Following Jesus includes surrender and obedience, but it also includes celebration, community and the freedom of knowing we are fully known and deeply loved. I've loved experiencing that with our students for so many years at camp!

Hospitality, Joy and Belonging 

Being intentional on how we approach our planning for ministry events is so important. Our hospitality plays a big role in creating that kind of space. One of the things that stood out to me at camp was the way the Camp Illiana (the amazing place we were blessed to attend this year) staff cared for our leaders.

We had a great experience leading up to our time at the camp when interacting and planning with the camp's staff. And because they got to know us and our needs ahead of time ... they were able to anticipate our needs when we were onsite with them for the week, they welcomed us warmly, they served us meals and helped create an environment where our team could focus more fully on our students.

They cared for us so that we could care for our students and dive into the relational parts of ministry.

That feels like an important model for church leaders. If we want our staff members and volunteers to minister well, we need to minister to them too. When people feel supported, appreciated and cared for, they have more capacity to be present with someone else. They can notice people, listen well, enter into the fun and stay engaged in the moments that matter.

Make Room for Joy

So yes, never upstage the resurrection. Keep Jesus at the center ... and make room for joy.

Because sometimes the laughter, the shared meal, the tradition, the game, the dance or the moment when someone simply realizes, “I am known here,” can help open a heart to the One who knows and loves them most.

Photo credits: Jessica Strickland Photography