Too old for student ministry?

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Whether you are a volunteer, a full time or part time paid staff person, or you got asked to fill in for a month five years ago, you may be asking yourself, am I getting too old for this?   The answer is “No!”.  Here are some reasons, thoughts, and encouragement as you continue to serve.

1. You are a child of God… forgiven  by God, loved by God, called by God… with an opportunity to freely forgive, love and call the students into faith…  you have experienced it, keep living it.

2. It’s our job to tell the next generation.  Psalm 78 gives a clear indication that it is up to each of us, all of our lives, especially when we are older, to pass down the faith to the next generation.

3. Average age of youth ministry leaders is going up across the board. It seems that more and more of the effective youth ministry leaders are older.  Maybe it’s because they outlast the others, I’m not sure.  But either way, someone past the young adult age, is able to offer a stability that is foundational in working with students.

4. Don’t be afraid to stretch yourself, re-invent something about yourself, purchase some new clothes, learn a new technology, have fun with it.  Don’t take yourself too seriously. On the other side, as you get older, you realize that there isn’t a need to be someone you are not.  I have run into several student ministry leaders who didn’t have facebook.  It not only doesn’t seem to bother them, the students don’t seem to mind either.

5. You are positioned to help the church “do” youth ministry.  There is an advantage to having experience when it comes to building a team of leaders around you for ministry.  You can truly help the church surround their students and walk with them in faith. It’s not just you trying to disciple, work with and pray for the kids.  Help the congregation take on the role.  You have some clout after your years of ministry.

6. Utilize the gifts you have been given. Maybe over time your gift set has grown.  Or maybe you have really found the one or two things you love.  Do those all you can.   Your history with the parents, the church, and the over all ministry can also give you an edge.

7. Disciple others in leadership.  Notice, Nurture, Develop, Deploy other young leaders into the ministry.  You don’t have to stay up all night alone at the youth retreat, others can lead portions just as effectively, maybe better than you.  Give them opportunities to serve along side you in ministry.  Build a structure that will allow others to begin to step in easily. Succession is on key to effectiveness.  But you don’t have to wait until you are totally finished.  Begin allowing others to serve now.  Mentor them.

8. It’s not about the program or traditions.  It’s about the students in your ministry today.   What you did five years ago might be a good experience and a foundation for where you are, but as far as the seventh grader in your group this fall, they need you now… who you are and your genuine care and love for them.

9. Relax– it’s God who truly does the work.  We might water, plant or harvest, but it’s God who does the growing. You don’t have to do youth ministry, you get to be available to do God’s ministry – where ever he calls you.

OTHER POSTS….

8 Principles for life changing youth ministry right where you are

Habits of effective youth ministry leaders

12 Simple (and mostly free) ways to grow your small church youth ministry

Fishful Thinking…

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Never forget the church’s mission and your mission as a disiciple – to be fishers of men.

Jesus calls us to leave everything and follow him.  In doing so, we learn to become fishers of people.  We catch the passion of Jesus to invite people in to experience the kingdom of God.

Fishing is something of a quiet, yet disciplined art.  It requires patience. It takes time.  There isn’t one exact way to catch.  There are many places to fish.  There are many styles. And typically, everything else has to be set aside when you are fishing.

I was packing up a box of Goldfish Snack Crackers the other day.  The slogan on the back caught my eye.  It’s wise to remeber when we are in the thick of ministry busyness. In all the stratagies, planning sessions, new ideas and programming, never forget to keep “fishful thinking” on the front of your mind.

Luke 5:10-11 “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.

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Thank You For This…   

The Importance of the First Follower

Coming Home

The Importance of the First Follower

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I ran across this three minute video describing the importance of a “first follower”.  [watch the video on youtube]

The importance of the first follower is unmatched. It give credence to the movement.  It models the simplicity of following.  And it’s the first step toward gaining momentum.

How does a leader help develop and encourage the first follower?

1)  Make it simple.

2)  Welcome the first follower.

3)  Give credit to the first follower.

4)  Pull in the first follower on your team.

5)  Encourage the first followers invitation’s to others.

The implications for ministry are endless.  In the New Testatment, the church was built on a team of first followers.  They were the ones who were willing to step out.  They followed the simple example of Jesus and they in turn invited many others to also follow Jesus.

In what ways will you develop the first followers around you?

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Camp Directors Don’t Know Who They Are Serving!

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Camping and retreat leaders don’t know who they will serve or how their lives will be changed.  Camp Ministry Leaders sow seeds in a variety of ways – from genuine love and care, to hospitality, to creating a welcoming environment, to sharing the message of God’s love.

I have mentioned many times over the years that three or four of my life’s forming moments happened at camps and retreats.  1)  Deciding to really follow Christ at camp when I was in eighth grade 2) Being inspired by a speaker at a retreat when I was in tenth grade 3) Really thinking that two of our music leaders were amazing during my high school years at camp and wanting to be like them and 4) Sensing a call into ministry at a camp, the summer after my senior year.

In all these years of mentioning these moments, I have never really given thought to the fact that there was a whole team of people working behind the scenes to create these opportunities for me to clearly hear God’s voice.  The leadership teams that put the program together, invited me to attend, got the details moving as far as the grounds, the food, the lodging, the adminstrtive task and much more – all had a hand in my life being formed and shaped in this way.

(To thank those people, in case they read this – anyone from St. Matthew who helped in youth ministry and put together a retreat with Hule Goddard at Little Grassy Camp in November of 1987; anyone who helped with Beulah Youth Institute during the summer of 1986; John Fischer and Jim Weber were the two music guys; and anyone who helped lead the McKendree College Weekend Camp – which I think was held only one time).

We are approaching the summer season and people will be coming to you.  Sow seeds in the kingdom by being ready for them, praying for them, and using your gifts and resources to create a place that students might hear from God in a new, fresh and life changing way. These powerful moments are not always known to the leaders who are working behind the scenes. But be faithful, trusting that God will be at work in the hearts of children, students and adults through your ministry this summer.

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Obstacles vs Problems

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A problem is something that we see along side the road.  It will slow us down as we  work on it, but doesn’t necessarily need our attention, we just do it anyway.

An obstacle is quite different in that it blocks the road.  It impedes our journey to the destination.  We may see it coming or it may come out of the blue, either way, we have to stop to take care of it for the sake of continuing the journey toward our destination.

The issue many leaders fall into is working on problems that don’t really clear the way toward the mission.  All the time is spent getting things done around the road but never clearing the road to move forward.

Determine if what you are dealing with is an obstacle or a problem.  Then, work to clear obstacles – for the sake of the mission.

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A Slice of Sabbath

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The Sabbath is a reminder to ourselves that we can’t control and do everything.  We remind ourselves 1/7 of every week that it’s really God who works in and through us to accomplish important and eternal things.

It’s while observing a Sabbath rest that the Lord can birth in us new visions, principles, concepts and desires for ministry.  It’s also when issues become clear, decisions become firm and resolve can grow.  These important events in the heart of a person can’t happen with quite the same depth when we are cranking through a “to-do” list.

Typically our days are filled by getting things done.  But during a Sabbath we can be free from the checklist and more in tune to checking in with God. The fact is, with a true observance of the Sabbath, the other six days are much more productive and beneficial.

It’s easy for people in ministry begin to think that what they are doing warrants an extremely packed out schedule for days on end.  And believe, me, I understand how easy it is to fall into that.  I’ll look at a 16 day stretch of ridiculous pace and think that at the end of that, I’ll take two or three days to recoup.  But, it rarely happens.

I have started to think of the Sabbath in this way: I don’t “take a day off” but rather “give a day to the Lord” for him to be at work in my life, home and ministry.

The other day, after such a Sabbath, I was astounded by the things that Lord had worked out while I was “away”.  Sometimes it’s the quiet things that make the most impact.  But on this particular week, I was astounded at the number of external things that fell into place.  A sponsorship, a new person volunteering to fill a role we have needed in ministry for some time, a confirmation on something I had been waiting for and the list goes on.

I know everyone has a different situation, but the fact is that every believer is commanded to remember the Sabbath and keep it holy (Ex 20:8).  It’s not a calendar issue, but an issue of wholeness for our hearts, minds and lives.

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8 Ways the Church can Influence the Church Staff

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Does the staff influence the church more or does the church influence the staff more? Obviously, they both happen to some degree, but this question has been on my mind.  There are some churches who not only retain staff, but keep them unified, challenged and growing in healthy and creative ways. This post is a partial list of ways the church can help shape a member of the church staff.

Live a vibrant and healthy life as a congregation – the best way for a church to shape a staff member is for the congregation to be healthy, vibrant and confident in their ministry as a congregation.

Develop a spirit of healthy critique and criticism -  Even the brightest among us understand the need for coaching.  In staff selection, one key is “teach-ability.”  Develop a place where encouragement abounds, but so does the aspect of teaching, coaching and critique. What did this person do well?  What didn’t go so well?  Don’t attack the person, but quickly and frankly bring up the part that could be improved next time.

The Right Tools – what does this person need to make things happen well?  Basic stuff is a must – computer, Internet, etc.  Do they have a clear vision of the church and of their role in it?  What is the budget like?  Is the person equipped for ministry in specific ways?  Do they need to be strengthed? Invest in them by sending them to seminars, gatherings and conferences.  A church never loses by sending their staff to ministry conferences and training events.  The church benefits with the ideas, energy and excitement that comes back home.  But they also benefit from knowing that they are helping to shape the staff person’s life in some way.

Give them opportunities to grow – Pray for your church to be flexible enough to change as the church and staff grow.  Find ways for the staff to transition to things that line up with their passions and dreams.  It’s possible that the same staff person will have three or four different roles during their time at your church.  Keep looking toward ways for them to fulfill God’s call on their life through their role in the church.

Accountability and Goal Setting - Clearly defined goals for a church staff helps everyone move in the right direction.  Most church staff I know are go-getters, have a desire to get things done and want to make things happen.  The question becomes, do the things they are making happen and getting done line up with what the church needs?  Goals help define this process.  There are a million ways to accomplish this process and they all require time.  If it the church is small with 2-3 total staff (outside of the pastor) the pastor should just visit with each one individually on a regular basis.  If the church staff is medium sized 4-25 then, there is probably room for this goal setting process to be overseen by an adminstrative staff leader or a wise church leader who is part of the leadership structure that oversees the work of the church staff.  If the staff is much larger (35-150), this most often is done through an church administrator, or a chain of dept heads, etc

Create a positive culture through words, encouragement and vision. Growth in the staff will occur no matter what – the question is, how will they grow?  Will they grow more committed to the vision, more excited about serving in this particular church, more in line with their giftedness and strengths?  Or will they begin to grow discontented or disengaged? Sharing the vision, keeping them in the loop and communicating with the staff, and encouragement goes along way to keep growth moving in the positive direction.

Expect alot, Demand a Little – Get to the point where you expect alot, but have to demand little.  Build in your staff a sense of ownership and initiative.  Start slowly, with both high expection and high demand.  Then, as time goes on, the need for demanding time lines, details, and other specifics can go down.  But never let the expectation go down.  Build the framework of discpline, structure and accountablity at the onset.  It’s good to work through the details early – what is a day off?  How many are there?  What happens with sick days?  How are taxes taken care of?  etc.  Don’t let thing become nebulous.  Find out what the plan is and keep it in front - not only on adminstrative issues but with the vision and mission of the role.

Pray for the staff - Pray for supernatural power as they help move the congregation from one point to the next.  Pray energy and strength would surround their families, their homes and their hearts.  Pray for clarity and vision in their role.  Pray for the teams that help and serve with them.  Devise a plan for people in your congregation to pray for your church staff on a regular and personal basis.

One of the growing trends is that staff members for many churches are hired from within the congregation. Be looking for students, young adults and others in your church who may benefit from learning, internships, etc.   Thinking about who is next in your church is motiviting.  Who can we develop?  This outlook probably more clearly defines the role – the congregation is really the church staff and the the church staff are coaches helping the ministry of the congregation grow and be strengthened. Create opportunities and momenutum by pulling people in – volunteer or paid!

OTHER POSTS…

6 ways a staff member can influence the church

5 ways church staff stay fresh in ministry

9 ways to grow community in your staff

 

6 Ways A Staff Member Can Influence The Church

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Does the staff influence the church more or does the church influence the staff more? Obviously, they both happen to some degree, but this question has been on my mind.  In this post, I will focus on the ways church staff and leaders can help shape the church:

Through Prayer – It’s the obligation of each pastor and staff member to invest some of their time in prayer for the church, for teams they oversee and for their ministries.  Do you have a personal prayer plan?  Are you intentional?  This one key component will shape your ministry and effectiveness.

Through Developing Leaders – The leaders you invite to join you in the work is one way that you help shape the church for the future – not just in the lives of the people who are working with you, but in the lives of the people who will be influenced by the people working on your team.  How can you spend time today working on details that will help your team succeed?  Who can you invite to join in the ministry?  What systems can you implement that will help people easily use their gifts with allotted time they have? [more on nurturing a ministry team]

Through Kindhearted Service – No one needs a member of the team that is self seeking and only looking after their own interest.  Rather, work out of a love for and obligation to Christ Jesus. Have his attitude (Phil. 2) and seek God’s heart when dealing with people in the congregation.  Serving kind-heartedly doesn’t mean being a pushover.  It means leading the people where they need to be.  It means being strong, yet compassionate.  It means loving them where they are.  It means going the extra mile.  Kindness is a hallmark of a Christ-like leader.

Through Modeling Sacrifice - Serving in church as a staff member requires sacrifice.  It’s your time, your gifts, your stress levels, your ideas and everything that goes into helping the church to be effective in the great commission.  Understanding your role, balancing life with the hard (and good) work of of ministry, and keeping a positive attitude will go a long way to shaping and influencing your congregation.

Through Hard Work – You get up early, pack your brown bag lunch, grab your tools and you head out for a day of solid, good old fashioned work.  Manage your time wisely.  Write down what you need and want to accomplish during the day.  Go hard.  Move fast.  Allow only bare minimum of your day to be used on time suckers: social media, indecisiveness, etc.  Always be willing to adjust based on people stuff that might come up.  With flexibility in ministry, there are times when the lines are blurred – a late night or long weekend here and there may require a looser schedule another day. If someone is not keeping track of those times, do you best to make make it fair for both you and the church.   As Bill Hybels put it, have a solid finish line each day.  Come to a point in each day and week that you can say – even with the never ending possibilities for work in ministry – that you are finished.  Well done.

Through A Committed Faith – at home, at work and in the world.  As Scripture says, a spiritual leader must keep his own life and home in order.  Families, friends, relationships and non ministry obligations should be tended to.   It doesn’t have to stress you out, but trust that God will lead you in this balance.  Develop disciplines that help keep you in check for healthy and whole living – spiritually, physically, relationally and emotionally.  The by-product with be a healthier ministry and influence in your church.

Remember: Your Name is Attached – The cornerstone of the church is Jesus.  We can all rest in that grace.  As I’ve heard my dad say on occasion, he knows the church is divinely inspired because if it wasn’t, it would have been finished a long time ago!  However, Jesus chooses to build his church on individuals. Our names will be attached to the work and some sort of legacy will be left.  Every once in a great while, we still receive mail at our church from the youth pastor we had when I was high school back in the early 90′s!  And I’m sure my name will be on junk mail long after I’m no longer on staff (especially since, about half the time, I use the church address when sign up for drawings and stuff).  Your name will be attached to the role you play and the legacy you leave.  How do you want people to remember you and your work?  What successes do you want to see happen as a result of you being employed by the church for this season in your life.

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Compassion From The Stage

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Compassion from the Stage

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When Jesus was in front of crowd, he always had compassion on them (Mt. 9:35, 14:13).  As worship leaders we need to have compassion from the stage and here are a few practical thoughts about it:

1. Remember that it’s God who does the work in people’s hearts.  He might use our smile, voice, welcome, song, conversation or attitude as a catalyst, but the congregation is His. Know why you are up there in the first place – to help focus people’s attention on God. You, as the leader, joined with the congregation are giving worship to God.

2. Pray before you serve in your ministry leadership role.  Pray for the people that you will be leading, for their hearts and for their connection and communion with God.  And pray for the team that will be serving.  Don’t ever fall into the trap of thinking that we don’t need a “trite prayer” just before going on stage to serve in this capacity.  Coming before the Lord is never trite – even if it is only a brief time just before worship begins.  And many times, I invite our group to pray at the end of worship too.

3. Compassion from the stage begins with a unified worship team – be in community with the group so that you can model the body of Christ at work.  One of things I teach our traveling team is that you never give an order to a sound guy without first saying his name.  If don’t know his name, then that’s the first step – find out the person’s name then ask to have yourself turned up in the monitor.  Also, serve together as a team, if possible, outside of leading music for weekend worship services.

4. No water bottles on stage while leading congregational singing – unless the whole congregation has a bottle of water.  If we are inviting everyone to sing the whole time, then why is it only the band that has a water bottle?   It’s a reminder to us that we are only in front as the leaders, not performers.  We are all involved in singing praises to God.  (I have changed my tune a bit on this since having to have vocal chord surgery, but it’s still a concept that I think about).

5. Compassion on stage is closely tied to being in community with the people you lead.  Look for ways to build community in the body of Christ.  Be a part of a small group, bible study, class, regular worship service.

6. Stage presence isn’t limited to leading on Sunday morning… but also with your heart as you live among your family, friends and co-workers.  There is often more truth in the unrehearsed word than in the rehearsed ones.

7. Smile – allow God’s presence to shine through you.

8. Humility – understand that in 50 or 60 years, there’s a good chance that the church will still be ministering and you probably won’t be up there.

8. Dress – thinking of the congregation you are ministering to and with and willingly comply with guidelines of the worship team.

9. Attitude – should be the same a Christ Jesus (Phil. 2)

10. Song Choices – should be aimed at helping connect the congregation to God and not to suit the whims of musicians (I’m not saying don’t keep the music fresh, but also remember that for every time the congregation has sung the song, you have probably sung it 30 times in rehearsals, practices and sound checks).

11. Align the worship style with congregation – at times they church needs challenged and stretched in worship. But at other times, they need brought along lovingly – that’s where compassion comes in.  That’s also probably why old hymns will always be used in some manner.

“Whenever, though, they turn to face God as Moses did, God removes the veil and there they are–face to face! They suddenly recognize that God is a living, personal presence, not apiece of chiseled stone. And when God is personally present, a living Spirit, that old, constricting legislation is recognized as obsolete. We’re free of it! All of us! Nothing between us and God, our faces shining with the brightness of his face. And so we are transfigured much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him.” 2 Cor. 3:16-18 (The Message)

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8 Principles for Life Changing Youth Ministry – Right Where You Are

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I am a fan of youth ministry leaders.  There is so much that a youth pastor does – volunteer or paid – to help shape the lives of students and families in their churches. At times we might wish we were somewhere else in ministry. But remember that you can be effective no matter the style, size or situation of your church.  Life changing ministry in the name of Jesus is possible.

Here are some principles and thoughts for any student ministry leader in any congregation:

1.  Our Hope & Desire Must Be In God Alone – it can’t be based on the world’s definition of success.  Your heart must be in line with God’s heart.  You must love his Word.  You must believe he has called you here.  And you must put your full trust in him.

2.  Have A Heart for Generational Impact – Ministry to students today is going to make a difference in the lives of young adults ten years down the road!  Light a fire in the hearts of kids about faith and things of God.  Additionally, have a heart for the congregation who is behind you in the mission to disciple the next generation.  Invite them along side of you – to pray, support, work.  It’s not you and them.  It’s us.

3.  We must become part of the pastor’s team and vision – Seek to connect yourself to the pastor as the leader of the church.  Connect with the vision of the leadership.  Support the pastor.  Always take the high road when dealing with issues and only bring up tough things privately – not with others in the church.

4.  Get a new thought every season – Don’t say, “I’m not creative”.  Just work to have at least one new thought or concept every season.  Is there a new way to lead the group?  A new schedule?  A new curriculum?  A new aspect of social media you need to master?  A creative idea for an outreach event?  A new philosophy you can employ? Challenge yourself to be innovative, then try it out.

5. Collaborate with, connect with, and communicate with families – communicating with families is a must for being in it for the long haul.  Stay connected with them by all the means you can.  Create opportunities and frameworks for families to take part in the ministry.

6. You are all they got – I don’t mean this negatively, but you are it.  You are their leader.  You are who, for this season, the congregation is trusting to help lead, develop and minister to students and families in the church and community.  Work to grow and sharpen your skills, but don’t try to become someone you are not.  God needs you, with your unique gifts and passions, for this time in history.

7. Build a team around you – develop people to serve with you.  It takes time.  It may surprise who you God sends your way.  Don’t give up.  Enjoy your team.

8. Every church and denomination has quirks.  Just pick something and go with it.  Not in a hopeless sense, but in a sense that your job and mission as a disciple maker is centered around the work closest to you.  You can make something good happen wherever you are despite what quirks are happening in the greater denominational leadership.

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