In just about 30 days, early March, I’ll be making the trek down to Louisville Kentucky with 3000 or so other youth ministers, youth leaders, adult volunteers, college students and those committed to student ministry to participate in SYMC 2012. This is my 4th SYMC, and I’m pumped. Yep, Francis Chan will be there. So will Jonathon Acuff. The Skit Guys. But I’m not going to here Chan offer what will be an excellent message, or for Acuff to make me chuckle, then think. SYMC is my conference for just 2 reasons:
DISCOUNTED REGISTRATION ends February 1, 2012 and SAVE 20
SYMC is by youth workers. I know this, because I’m a member of the Inside Track Team. I don’t say that as a point of pride, by as a point of humility. Why? Our church has about 100 people, we have 2 full time pastoral staff and 1 part time secretary (she loves our middle school kids!). If everyone shows up, we will have 30 kids per week. And yet, for the last two years, I’ve gone to Colorado in late Fall with 75 other people just like me and planned the conference. You read that right…me, a 6 year youth ministry veteran from a small church in eastern Iowa has input into a conference that teaches, equips and encourages thousands of youth workers just like me. I’ve gotten to know the people at Group personally; they [...]
Posted by Kurt Johnston
If you are a youth worker whose sole responsibility at your church is youth ministry, you are a rare breed! But today, I’m speaking to you. My entire youth ministry career has been spent serving at churches large enough to afford the luxury of a full-time junior high pastor. And because hiring a full-time junior high pastor is usually the last thing on a church’s mind, this means they have also had paid staff for just about every other ministry imaginable. And while this type of atmosphere has the potential for wonderful teamwork to emerge, the reality is that it almost always has the opposite effect…silos exist, individual “kingdoms” get built, and competition, rather than a spirit of unity, typically becomes the norm.
So I’ve learned that when a youth worker is willing to be a team player, he or she becomes a rare, highly valuable commodity on a church staff. And, it really isn’t all that hard. Here are three very simple things you can do to be perceived as a team player:
1) GIVE A RIP. It starts here. If you don’t really care about what God is up to in other departments of your church, why would you desire to partner/team up with them? Selfish, silo-driven, protective youth workers don’t have passion for any area of the church that doesn’t include, enhance or politically position the youth department in some fashion. Ask God to give you a heart for the entire church, and [...]
Our good friend (and founder) Thom Schultz has an interesting take on one of the ongoing debates in youth missions – Are they really worth it?
Short-Term Missions A Waste?
What do you think? Did Thom get it right?
You are right, there are far more dangerous jobs than youth ministry. I am extremely thankful that my husband does not stare down the barrel of a gun. I cannot imagine the kind of strength a wife would need for that. No matter what the job each one of us, including myself, has and will face great tragedies. Just in each day there are so many ups and downs. Our lives are sprinkled with many different feelings and emotions from happiness to thankfulness, to frustration to sorrow. My hope is that not one of us would deny ourselves the right to feel validated in each and every feeling that we have that gets mixed up inside of us. I hope that in some small way this blog may be a place for someone in ministry to feel heard, connected, and uplifted through a comment, a funny story, or a serious post. And what I love so much about this community of women is the honesty shared about their lives, and the tone that we all take loving God and our husbands seriously but don’t take ourselves too seriously.
I write this in no way with a defensive voice, but with so much concern that many pastor’s wives are told that their feelings are silly or not important. Whether from someone at church or their own inner dialogue. Our “perspective” should be to accept and embrace our feelings whatever they may be and then with God [...]
Mike Howerton, My pastor, boss and friend has recently released a book titled Glorious Mess. (Well, it comes out this week but we got it early at Overlake). I am really proud to call Mike my friend and pastor. Glorious Mess examines the messy life of Jonah and the surprising ways in which God was glorified in his life. There are a so many great quotes that can inspire you and your students. Since he’s a pastor and has a pastor’s heart, Mike has created small group resources to go alongside the book…they are included right in the book. We are actually using it with our students now in our youth ministry! It’s really good stuff and the students are getting some solid teaching.
“Orthodoxy or ‘right belief’ is important.But it must be accompanied by orthopraxy- right living! Jonah says he worships the one true God of the universe while he is actively trying to escape God’s call.”
“Recognizing our mutual need of God’s unbelievable grace is what allows God to use our glorious mess for his glorious kingdom! His love for imperfect people is unending”
Great book! You should definitely check it out!!
#6 is “Buy some buy-in.”
The youth ministry isn’t yours. It belongs to God and is played out through your church. If you constantly find yourself with too many ideas from others but not enough help, I suspect your buy-in tank is on E.
Here are 3 ways to fill increase support: 1) Don’t tell the church your plans. Ask them their plans and work the youth ministry into their vision. Much easier to get help from people you’d never expect when they’re excited. 2) Recruit intentional cheerleaders. Find people with influence in other areas of the church. Ask them to champion the cause of YM with the people in their spheres. Ask them to listen for ways the YM can do the same in return. 3) Communicate! You’d be surprised how little those people outside the YM know about what’s happening. People in churches get weird when they think they’re in the dark or out of the loop. Especially staff.
OK, my plane is about to land so I gotta scoot. More tomorrow.
Stephanie
q Jeremiah 1:4 ?The Word of God came to me saying, before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born, I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.?
q God had a vision a plan for you. Do you have one for the assignment He has given you?
q Vision: The picture of God?s potential, purpose, and possibilities for your life.
q Show me a person without vision, and I will show you a person who is at a standstill in life.
q Proverbs 29:18 ?Where there is no vision the people perish.?
q Life Point: The key element to getting out of my present state is the vision that I have for myself.
q Jeremiah 29:11 ?For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope,
Vision Truthsq True vision goes beyond what I can accomplish on my own.
q True vision adds value to others.
q True vision attracts vision.
q True vision must have God in it.
q Acts 2:17 ?And it shall come to pass in the last days says God, I will pour out of my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and daughters shall prophesy and your young men shall see visions and your old men shall dream dreams.?
5 Road Blocks to Vision Failure
Sweet new series video for The Book, HSM’s student version of the 40 Days in the Word church-wide. Parker is doing some awesome stuff with the videos, it’ll get new addition/expansion each week of the series, too!
JG
Beyond excited when the gang over at Simply Youth Ministry told me that they were doing a 1-day sale on Doug Fields and I’s book, 99 Thoughts for Small Group Leaders.The book is normally $6.99 – TODAY only it is $2.99!
A small group is a powerful place!
Lives are changed. Important decisions are made. Spiritual growth is enhanced. Jokes are shared. Lifelong friendships are formed. Cliques disappear when a small group becomes a loving community. The result? Spiritually mature teenagers, empowered leaders, and a healthy youth ministry.
Good small groups requires leadersÑand that’s where you come in. If you’re a small group leader, you may have lots of questions: Am I making a difference? Am I wisely investing my time, energy, and resources? Can I really do this? If so, how can I maximize my impact in teenagers’ lives?
Find the answers you’re looking for in 99 Thoughts for Small Group Leaders. This book delivers insights, tips, and veteran advice for anyone leading a small group (from young to old). When these bite-size, consumable pieces of wisdom are put into play, leaders will be better equipped and more confident. This book is all about setting them up to win.
UPDATE: They sold out of the deal already! Wow!
JG
Got this picture mail of a freshman student’s spiritual whiteboard this week – made my day. Just wanted to share it (sorry the pic is so small)!
JG
Got the chance to sit in on The Simply Youth Ministry Show this week with my friends Jake Rutenbar and Kurt Johnston. We had lots of random fun and actually did manage to actually talk about preparing a youth talk. Fun to be a guest on the old show!
JG
Hilarious video we played (with a minor edit) during our kickoff to the new series The Book (student-version of the 40 Days in the Word campaign). So funny!
JG
Got this from one of our Life Group leaders and asked her for permission to post it as an example of incredible communication with parents. Wow!
Happy Friday Parents and Beauties!
Last Night
Last night we had our first meeting of 2012. We watched the YouTube video that has gone viral http://youtu.be/Q0p6lVdtGKI. We talked about why it is so powerful, and the girls then read the words and rapped their own version. We also talked about how we approach reading God’s word, and the importance of focusing on DEPTH, not distance (thank you Pastor Buddy). Many of the girls feel like they have so much on their plates with school and sports, that they don’t have time for reading God’s word. I have coached the girls to start small, just a few minutes before bed, reading God’s word for comfort and direction. Our current memory verse is Matthew 7:7.My 2012 Intentions
We also talked about the importance of writing down your goals (intentions), so we used the attached document as template with scripture references for inspiration. I have encouraged the girls to take some quiet time to reflect on what they would like to achieve in their life this year with their faith, family, school and any other area of life that is important to them. We will share our intentions when we meet next on Wed. Feb. 1st.We will not meet next week due to Finals.
HSM Life Group Covenant
We also reviewed our HSM Life Group Covenant. For those who couldn’t join us last night, please take out your HSM journals and review it. This year one of our primary goals in group will be to focus when we are studying and listen to each other and not talk when someone else is sharing. This is important to demonstrate respect for everyone.Group Event Calendar
I have asked the girls to come with one idea and bring it to group on Feb. 1st so we can create our group calendar for the year. It can be an idea to serve, a fun outing, a unique way for us to connect & bond. I have encouraged them to think BIG!Snack Schedule
Finally, I will send out a separate email with this year’s snack schedule, so everyone has a chance to contribute. Last night I made the girls smoothies with my new Vitamix machine and they asked for seconds! It’s my way of nurturing them with something healthy for their body and mind.
I am so grateful to serve, I welcome your feedback. April
Talk about ownership …. what a great youth pastor to these girls!
JG
The show will offer common sense solutions for typical family problems. Members of our casting team have worked on “Supernanny” and “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” and the show shares similar themes BUT the help is not monetary in the sense of a car or home; it’s more about relationship fixing and building — something we feel is far more important and valuable.
Each episode will feature a family with a teenage child, confronting challenges. Then we will rally the community to help, offer support and find solutions. The help will come from friends, family, neighbors and free services. At the end of the day, this show intends to create a greater sense of community and healing for the whole neighborhood.
The old saying goes: The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. My mom always used to say that the grass is green over there because there was a septic tank underneath it.
But fewer words could be truer in Youth Ministry and church life for that matter. The grass always seems to be greener in someone else’s church. The advent of Facebook™ and Twitter™ you get to read about another youth worker’s work and how many students stood and received Christ for the first time, and how many dollars the group donated to a charity. It can feel like a non-stop highlight reel of comparison and discouragement compared to the situation you may be facing at the moment.
So I’m not surprised when people make comments about how great it would be to have my job, or to run a ministry like this. Truth be told, it’s a ministry just like yours, full of students who are hurting and broken and who make poor decisions regularly. When I spend time with students, it is often dealing with tough issues just like you. I usually Tweet about and post about the good, but truth be told, its tough, and the grass is not as green as you think. The same goes for the big youth group across town from you that has awesome music, great media and kids getting saved and baptized weekly. That is not the whole story.
Here is the honest truth; God has brought you to your church and your ministry for this moment. Don’t worry about what’s next or let your mind wander every day searching for. When your eyes and heart are on what others have, and what is happening down the road, you lose because you get discouraged, your students lose because you are distracted and say why bother and God loses because the person entrusted to lead Hid children is disheartened.
Here are two things to focus on:
Bloom where you’re planted
Just because you know that a ministry 3000 miles from you has great media, does not mean your students do. If you were to poll your students you will find that the thing that keeps them coming back is not an expensive youth room, free pizza, Xbox® Kinect™ or lasers – its relationships. Your students love coming to your group because they are known there, they matter there, and people care for them there, people pray for them there and people accept them there.It may sometimes be a mess in your eyes, but you are called there, to share Jesus with your students, and it’s a blessing to be able to do that. Every church is messy. Accept the fact that pushy parents, apathetic teens and cranky facilities staff are a universal experience.
When you think about your group, think about the lives and stories that you have an opportunity to speak into and strive daily to show Jesus to each of them. We are blessed to work with a generation so hungry for significance and passionate about having a life that counts. They are just waiting for you to give them something / someone to live for.
Take a step forward today
Maybe you feel like you have nothing to add to the youth ministry landscape, when in fact you really do. There are thousands of youth pastors out there that are struggling, trying to figure out how to do ministry in a context just like yours. If you have been in youth ministry for more than two years, you have more to offer than you can imagine.How can you share your experiences, good or bad so that other youth workers can benefit from it?
- Start a blog
- Write a guest post for someone else’s blog
- Submit a magazine article (easier than you think)
- Walk alongside a new Youth Worker in your area
- Speak at your local training event
These are simple ways for you to share the lessons that God has taught you through being in the trenches. People need to know the pitfalls; they need to know how to deal with tough situations like the ones that you experience all the time.
Make the grass under your feet green.
JG
I’m excited to check out A Youth Worker’s Commentary on the Book of John – I love the idea of a Bible commentary specifically for youth workers and teenagers. Think I’m gonna pick it up – here’s the description from Simply Youth Ministry:
When a youth pastor is preparing a lesson, it’s sometimes challenging to find a curriculum that really offers depth into the Scripture passages and goes beyond a cursory look at the text.
A Youth Worker’s Commentary on John is the first in a new series of commentaries developed with youth workers in mind. An in-depth, yet readable approach to the gospel of John, this first volume includes commentary, word studies, personal and historical stories, and discussion questions that will help get students thinking and talking. The gospel of John is the most personal and revealing of all the portraits of Jesus in the New Testament.
This commentary has the entire NIV biblical text printed alongside a rich, deep look into the meaning of this gospel. Youth workers will find this to be an invaluable aid for message and lesson preparation. They’ll get a solid understanding of the gospel of John, including its historical context, rationale, and meaning, to see how to apply what they uncover to the needs and issues the teens in their group are dealing with.
JG
When I was growing up – it wasn’t even close to OK to have a tattoo and be a youth worker. Things have changed a bit – and while I still don’t have any tattoos myself, some incredible youth workers around me do. How about you? Obviously opinions/positions are welcomed in the comments, too!
JG
More Than DodgeBall – Youth Ministry Blog by Josh Griffin – Saddleback Church's High School Youth Ministry (HSM) A blog about youth ministry and youth worker life from the High School Pastor at Saddleback Church.
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