student leaders | More Than Dodgeball

Josh GriffinMore Posts GUEST POST: Student Leadership Lesson- Reaching Out!

Like most ministries out there, we have been struggling with cliques. Our “core” students, student leaders included, have not done a great job about being inclusive with our lesser known/new students. At our last Student Leadership meeting, we decided to address the situation head on. The response was incredible! I know that this is sometimes a hard issue to confront in a way that is impactful, so I thought I would share what we did that made our meeting so special!

We started with a short testimony from one of our adult volunteers. She said that she went to her youth group and felt totally alone even though she was in a room full of people and how she wanted so badly for someone just to come up to her and say hi. She asked if anyone could relate to her story and one by one, students in our student leadership program started telling their own stories of how they used to feel unwelcome at church. They told us how badly they wanted to be known and seen. It was such a powerful way to start the discussion because the problem became real and personal.

We followed that by telling our students that God wants to use them to make students feel welcomed and loved in the church. The idea was inspired by an interview I saw with Taylor Swift. In it, the interviewer asked if Taylor ever thought of the millions of girls that she is influencing everyday. Taylor responded that it would be irresponsible for her not to be aware of the influence that she has because she can make use of it for good. That is what we communicated to our student leaders. We wanted them to recognize that the Lord has given them influence. It is a gift from God and it would be irresponsible (or a waste) to not use what He has given them.

So we challenged them to make a difference. We told them we didn’t want them to focus on destroying the reputation of cliques at our church; we wanted them to focus on reaching out and showing the love of Christ to other people. Breaking down cliques can be an outcome of our ministry, but it isn’t the point. We told them that we want them to be on the look out before, during, and after service for students that seem disconnected. It could be one student by themselves, or a small group of students that don’t seem to know anyone else. They were challenged to never be with more than one other student leader as they make these outreach efforts. They were also challenged to go to another youth ministry alone and see what it feels like to be that new student.

I think it is so important to end it with their feedback. Some of our students who used to feel left out gave us some great insight on what we can be doing to make students feel welcomed and loved. Other students shared tips on how to built intentional relationships with new students. We closed out with prayer and hugs. It was awesome!

How have you approached students with this topic? What have you done to make it “work?”

Colton Harker is the Student Leadership Coordinator at Saddleback HSM. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact him at coltonharker@gmail.com or on twitter at @ColtonHarker.

Add Comment November 20, 2012

Josh GriffinMore Posts GUEST POST: Empowering and Believing in Students

I believe that the most effective student leadership programs (and ministries in general) are the ones that empower their students. And I mean, actually empower them. In youth ministry, empowerment is rooted in the belief that students can actually make a difference in their church, community, school, and even the world!

If we were to ask ourselves if we believe in students, believe that that they could change the world, most of us would say yes. However, if some of us were to really think about it, that might not be fully true. I think we might sometimes say yes out of habit or because we feel like we are supposed to, but the real answer lies in the actions of our ministry. We can say we believe in our students all we want, but if our ministry isn’t empowering students, than we might need to reevaluate our answer. For some, their ministry used to be powered by a belief in students but, somewhere along the way, empowerment got lost in the shuffle. For others, empowerment might not have ever been a main priority in their ministry. But if we want to see students serving their church and community, we need to make it a priority.

One of the first steps in getting a student to serve is getting them to believe in themselves, and we can’t expect students to do that if we don’t believe in them first. We need to believe that God has called and equipped the ENTIRE church to serve. Each of us has been gifted for ministry, even our students. Our student leadership programs, and our ministries as a whole, needs to communicate this belief. Where are we taking a chance on students? While it is awesome to let students pass out pens and bulletins at the beginning of service, we need to be providing significant opportunities. Sometimes this means letting go of a certain aspect of your ministry and allowing a student to own it. If you have a student that wants to be a pastor and has the gift of communication, let them speak at a weekend service. If you have a student that has a heart for the elderly and the gift of leadership, let them start and lead a elderly care ministry. At the end of the day, God believes in our students and our ministry needs to reflect that.

Does your ministry communicate to students your belief in them? Does it empower them?

Colton Harker is the Student Leadership Coordinator at Saddleback HSM. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact him at coltonharker@gmail.com or on twitter at @ColtonHarker.

Add Comment November 12, 2012

Geoff StewartMore Posts Guest Post: Hurricane Sandy: A Report From A Youth Worker In The Trenches

Here is a snippet of a post from Leneita Fix who is a youth worker near the Jersey Shore and had Superstorm Sandy pass right over her community. Its a great piece and an opportunity for us to get students involved to give to help those most in need right now. Please read and go check out the full post for the rest of the info about how to get involved today.

BEFORE THE STORM: This past Sunday I had the opportunity to speak at a local church. I had wrestled and prayed about what to share. Hurricane Sandy was looming off our coast. The projected path was literally set for over my house on the Jersey Shore. For days, news and weather channels were raising panic within all of us calling this, “Frankenstorm.” Tense laughter filled aisles of supermarkets as water was eerily missing from shelves. So as the Lord spoke to my heart, asking me to talk on Jesus calming the storm in Luke 8, you can imagine my reaction. I wouldn’t talk on “that,” I couldn’t imagine it not sounding corny. Although He tugged at my soul harder, I made a different set of notes…

As I sat in the pew awaiting my name to be called, I heard Christ once again ask if I might talk about this story. The church was only half full as I stood before the congregation. Many were already home making preparations for the impending doom. Exchanging notes, I set out to tell of 12 disciples scared for their lives in the midst of what I believe could have been a hurricane. All the while their Messiah was asleep. What stuck out to me from this passage was a phenomenal idea. Yes, we all know that Jesus calmed the storm. This is important. However, I don’t really think that was the point. You see when the winds have been subdued Christ rebukes his friends for their lack of faith. Why? They should have understood that no matter what HE WAS THERE TO PROTECT THEM. As we left that day, I knew the sermon was for my own heart. As this colossal threat stood at my door what would be my own reaction? Would I know that no matter what happened, Jesus was close at hand, caring and loving all of us.

AFTER THE STORM: Now I sit on the other side of this monster storm. Jesus did not push back this mammoth into the sea. It’s power did not dissipate. Instead it plowed through the homes and neighborhoods around us. The pictures many are witnessing on CNN are literally blocks away from me. Personally, I am thankful for friends who took us in to evacuate the coast. Our house is still standing, with some shingles off the roof. We were and are safe. However, the house next to us is standing with a tree on the roof. The streets are barely passable. We know many who have lost everything: homes, cars, all their “stuff” is gone. You may be watching it on a screen, I am looking into the eyes of those I know. Important places in the life of our family are literally washed out to sea. Sitting in stunned silence, you wonder what to do? Where do I start?

WHERE WAS GOD IN ALL OF THIS? Luke 8 is the beginning. Christ is not asleep. He is here to take care of us. He is needed in this area more than ever. As we began the clean up today, I was struck with at thought. All of our “stuff” may be in jeopardy at any moment still we are standing together. Thankfully, my family and friends continue to have each other.

THE REALITY IS HITTING: At this point on the “inside” we don’t really know what to do. We keep waiting to wake up from this dream and have “normal” restored. There is no routine. No school. No work for many to go to. We have no idea when many of the children will be able to go to school again, as it is acting as the shelter for those who like us, can’t be in their home. Some are wondering with no home at all what will be next. Others, (like us) just can’t be there full time because it is cold, and dark and has no water. So you sleep at home and find some place to be during the day. There are curfews to get off the streets at 7 PM. Power and will not be restored in some areas (like at our home) for another 14 days. We are all just pulling together and figuring out the best way to stand together. Local churches are simply grilling hot dogs and giving them out. We are just making sure neighbors are alright. I am thankful that many of my friends have family where they can go.

We are only beginning to assess the needs in our own community. Currently, we can’t even get to them to know what else they might be without. It is starting by being neighborly. Neighborhoods are camping out and working together to pool resources. My husband stopped by our street today and gave away food we didn’t need to those around us. It’s as simple as knowing we have not been abandoned or forgotten. We can’t be swept up by the massive effort it will take to come to the other side of this. There is one bigger than all of us who remains in charge.

Go here to read the rest and see how you can help.

-Geoff

Add Comment November 1, 2012

Josh GriffinMore Posts GUEST POST: Student Leadership Celebrations

We start each student leadership meeting with what we call, “celebrations”. Celebrations, a tradition inspired by our weekly staff meetings, is a time where our student leadership team reflects on the things that God has done in the weeks since we last met. Students will share things like a great conversation they had with a classmate, a powerful moment they had at the small group they lead, a story from an event they threw at their school, or even them getting into a college! This is one of my favorite parts of our meetings because we are able to slow down, take a breath, and acknowledge all of the great things the Lord has done through our team. Through this reflection, the Lord continues to work and helps us build a great community and teaches us some really great leadership lessons.

Community Building. Through celebrations, students are able to identify with each other; they see that they aren’t alone in the trenches and that they have a community that is there to support them with their projects, ministries, or events. For example, Delaney shared that the Jr. High small group she leads finally opened up to each other. McKenna (who is also leading a Jr. High small group) revealed that she was having trouble getting her girls to be open and honest and asked for help. One by one, other students who lead small groups began to share advice and things that they had been learning. It was awesome to see a community instantly built through one student sharing about what God did in her small group.

Leadership Training. Celebrations are also an awesome way to teach applicable leadership lessons. I love this because we get the opportunity to teach on more than the book we are going through or the podcast that we listened to. For example, Lauren shared that the event she threw at her school was a huge success. She went on to admit that she was really scared at first and almost backed out completely. She shared that she knew God was calling her to lead the event but she felt like she wasn’t the right person for the job. But then she remembered the story of Moses and that God provided for him each step of the way, and that God was glorified through Moses’ weaknesses. Boom! A student just taught an incredible leadership lesson that anyone can identify with!

Our “celebrations” have really grown us as a team. I think a lot of the success comes from how organic it is. We get to learn and get closer together without a structured lesson or game. It just feels like a group of friends laughing together, supporting each other, and loving each other. A total win!

What activities is your ministry doing to build up your student leadership team?

Colton Harker is the Student Leadership Director at Saddleback HSM. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact him at coltonharker@gmail.com or on twitter at @ColtonHarker.

Add Comment October 28, 2012

Josh GriffinMore Posts HSM’s Encourage Ministry: Sticky Notes Project

A few weeks ago some of our student leaders created a ministry called “Encourage” who’s goal was very simply … to encourage other students. One of their first projects was leaving thank you notes on the office door of people who worked at the church. It is always nice to get thanked for serving and it was a great start. Their next project was MUCH bigger – putting sticky notes with a message of encouragement on the lockers of everyone in their high school. Some of the messages:

You can do it!
Thanks for being you
You matter
You are awesome
Smile!
Have a great day!
Try your hardest
You put the kind in mankind

And while the challenge was huge, they did it! And it sent ripples through the school and even the administration noticed the project and loved it. Not sure where the encourage ministry goes from here, but sure do love them thinking creatively and helping others be encouraged.

JG

PS: How cool is this followup picture (edited to remove IDs) a couple of weeks later?

7 View Comments October 26, 2012

Josh GriffinMore Posts GUEST POST: How To Define A Leader

If there is no one to lead than you will never get anywhere. Doesn’t matter if your ministry has two volunteers or two hundred, if you are the only leader eventually the burdens and responsibilities will be too much. Chances are there is at least one other leader serving in your ministry the problem is you haven’t found him or her. You might think someone is a leader, and even call him or her one; however, you aren’t completely sure.

The reason your youth ministry needs leaders is so that you can share the burden and expand your capacity. With other leaders more ideas are brought to the table and your ministry teams will start to grow. Every youth ministry needs leaders; however, it isn’t as simple as going out to your volunteers and saying, “You’re a leader, so go lead.” You might call someone a leader because they are a dedicated and committed volunteer; however, they aren’t taking your ministry to new directions. In order to share the burden and build up leaders, you need to know what one looks like. To find these leaders you need to make sure you are on the lookout for.

Selfless Actions – A leader is someone who will serve others. Meaning they are compassionate towards others, willing to put others before themselves. They encourage and empower those beneath and below them, even if it means losing out on the credit. These leaders are the ones who go above and beyond what you’ve asked of them.

Inspirational Communicators – A leader isn’t so much a doer as a motivator. This means laying out a challenge for the team to undertake. It means delegating in a way that empowers the team opposed to demanding. Your leaders are people who can rally the troops and move them towards your mission.

Big Vision Casting – A true leader sees the picture before anyone else. They might not know how or when, but they know what. They aren’t afraid to dream big even if others call them idealistic. They know and understand that God calls us to greater things.

What makes a great leader? Someone willing to step up to the plate to serve alongside of you. Granted you might be a director, pastor or manager; however, you need other leaders to help you mobilize your resources and volunteers. Don’t be afraid to sit with your team and talk about these qualities. Have them help you identify the characteristics and values. When you can build leaders you can serve more teens because they will help you manage the people around you.

What are some other characteristics of a leader?

Chris Wesley is the Director of Student Ministry at Church of the Nativity in Timonium, MD. You can read more great youth ministry articles and thoughts on his exceptional blog Marathon Youth Ministry.

Add Comment October 20, 2012

Josh GriffinMore Posts GUEST POST: Student Leadership Lesson – God Doesn’t Need Us!

In my last post, I talked about the awesome student leadership book we have coming our way. While we were in-between books, we have been putting together our own lessons that are based off of various pieces of scripture. Last Sunday, we did our lesson on Acts 17:24-25 and our students responded really well to it, so I thought I would share what we did!

24 “He is the God who made the world and everything in it. Since he is Lord of heaven and earth, he doesn’t live in man-made temples, 25 and human hands can’t serve his needs—for he has no needs. He himself gives life and breath to everything, and he satisfies every need. 26 From one man, he created all the nations throughout the whole earth. He decided beforehand when they should rise and fall, and he determined their boundaries. Acts 17:24-2

We started off the lesson by giving the students 20 minutes in prayer and meditation on the scripture. Normally, we would introduce the topic to them and what we want them to take out of the verses we give them, but we wanted to see what they would come up with on their own.

Here is what we wanted to drive home:

GOD DOESN’T NEED US! In fact, God doesn’t need anything! Sometimes, we have this idea in our head (whether consciously or unconsciously) that if we don’t do something it won’t get done. We think that God’s plan is dependant on us making the right choices. We think that if we don’t evangelize to that person or serve at that homeless shelter, then no one will do it. That leads us to have a hero mentality that abandons humility and puts God in a box. But God can work outside of you. He was working way before you were born, and he will continue to work after you die. The great news is that God invites us to be used by Him to do His will! Incredible!

Here is a cool response we got from a student named Sierra (paraphrased):

Because God’s work isn’t confined to us, there is no room to boast about what you have done in the name of the Lord. We can never take pride in the fact that we lead someone to Christ or started a ministry because it was not us that did it! It is by God ALONE that we are able to accomplish anything. Same goes for our gifts! We should be thankful for each talent and gift that we have because they are each God given, we have done nothing to deserve them!

What have you been teaching your student leaders?

Colton Harker is the Student Leadership Coordinator at Saddleback HSM. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact him at coltonharker@gmail.com or on twitter at @ColtonHarker.

Add Comment August 24, 2012

Josh GriffinMore Posts GUEST POST: Student Leaders Start Here

One of the main components of our Student Leadership program is leadership development. Since our student leaders are responsible for a lot in our ministry, it is so important that we are building them up as leaders that are capable of succeeding in their roles. Recently, we have been using podcasts to help develop leadership skills in our students, but we figured that it was time to go through another book with them. I wanted this next season of our teaching to help our students discover how God has uniquely gifted them for leadership. After doing some research, I found the perfect book to help our students: Student Leaders Start Here by Doug Franklin.

Student Leaders Start Here is a workbook that is broken down into three sections: Leadership Design, Balancing Act, and Mission First-People Always. The thing I love about this book is that, in each section, students are not only taught an important leadership principle, but they also take quizzes and assessments that help them discover more about the leader God created THEM to be. Each section also ends with a preplanned small group time that helps students process their thoughts together (a huge help for us as we lead the students through the book).

I once heard that a high-schooler’s biggest desires are to find their identity and be understood. That is why I think that this book will be a hit in any youth ministry because it helps the students learn more about themselves, and provides them with a way to communicate these discoveries with other people. I really believe in this 94-page book. It may be a short read, but I believe that it will have long-term results in our students, and ultimately our ministry.

To order it, or find more information about it, head on over to their website!

How about you, what are doing to develop your student leaders?

Colton Harker is the Student Leadership Coordinator at Saddleback HSM. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact him at coltonharker@gmail.com or on twitter at @ColtonHarker.