Youth Ministry Tips

YM Tip #1000: Higher Calling

May 19, 2008 – 1:06 pm
I'm going to say something a lot of you don't want to hear.  It's a reminder we all need.  Ready? Marriage is a higher calling than being a youth minister, youth director, youth pastor.  In fact, the adjective 'youth' could just as easily be left off, while the nouns could be replaced with any profession or vocation.  If you are called to marriage, it is a higher calling than any other work you can do. Keeping marriage in it's proper place, giving it the right investment of yourself is key to having the kind of marriage that gives you a support and foundation for your relationships to others.  This includes those you shepherd.  You can be an example to others in your sphere of influence including students, young marrieds, parents, and co-workers. A few ways to demonstrate the priority of your marriage: When you are with your spouse, be fully present.  Yes, in ministry ...

Posted in burnout, leadership, marriage, time management, youth ministry | 6 Comments »

Tip #444: Know When to Say No

May 12, 2008 – 9:04 am
Submitted by Brit Windel I don’t know if you struggle like I do in ministry with being able to say NO! I was speaking to a friend from back home just the other day and he was upset because he had to turn down a Discipleship Now opportunity that I had set up for him. He had made plans to go out with his girlfriend that night and then the D-Now was moved to the night of his date. He debated on telling her he had to change plans and go to this ministry event. But in all frustration he decided to go with her instead. He was upset about this and his lack of ability to say yes and no to things. I told him over all I think he made the best choice. On the one hand ministry experience and working with students is amazing but on ...

Posted in burnout, leadership, prayer, time management, youth ministry | 1 Comment »

Tip #9: T3XT UR STUDENTS

May 5, 2008 – 10:52 am
Even texting silliness like *make Jesus smile this week <:D>* is appreciated by our ultra*wired students. Submitting via text by Len.

Posted in text messaging, youth ministry | 2 Comments »

Tip #97: Tired

April 20, 2008 – 5:26 pm
After a hiatus, Youth Hacks returned recently to offer true wisdom on a subject that affects youth ministers always, exhaustion.  Josh writes: I’m returning to you with something quality: a word from the Lord Himself. If you’re like me, you’re tired.  And I don’t mean the kind of tired that can be fixed with a night of sleep; I mean the kind of deep tired that sinks into your bones. I’ve been thinking about this a lot recently and (seriously) God spoke these words to me: “Naps Are a Sacrament”. Yes, God wants you to work hard and accomplish things.  He wants you to be successful and determined.  But there’s a pretty good chance that, right now, he just wants you to lay down and get some sleep. Thus sayeth the Lord. We agree, getting rest from ministry - whether naps or regular sleep or sabbath or vacation - can keep you in healthy ministry longer. Share ...

Posted in burnout, time management, youth ministry | No Comments »

Tip #100: Be God’s Kid

April 14, 2008 – 3:30 pm
Being a youth worker, no matter if volunteer or paid, full- or part-time, is a busy life that is lived out in a glass house.  It's easy to get caught up in the pace of planning and implementing times to connect youth to Christ, of performing innumerable extra duties, of responsibilities to family and community.  It leaves us weary and drained more often than we care to admit.  It leaves us relying on our own strengths, neglecting ourselves spiritually, physically, emotionally and mentally. Stop.  Right now.  Find a quiet spot and sit with God.  Stop being like Martha for a bit, and be like Mary sitting at the feet of her Lord.  Rest in Him, bring your tasks, plans and burdens and seek His wisdom.  Our identity is the same as that of those we serve - first and above all we are children of the Most High God.  Be with ...

Posted in disciple, encouragement, youth ministry | No Comments »

Tip #3: Get Caught

April 7, 2008 – 11:21 am
You know the preaching adage "more is caught than taught"?  Of course  you do, and you know that the truth in it is that our own children and our students won't take on a practice they don't see us living. Go get caught!  Get caught by your students studying the Word or at prayer with other leaders.  Get caught journaling and reading the Bible and spiritual books.  Get caught by your family taking purposeful time for family devotions at breakfast or dinner.  Get caught by your kids praying with your spouse.  Share the practice of getting caught with parents at your church; it will grow the ministry of your whole church.  Guaranteed.

Posted in disciple, leadership, prayer, teaching, youth ministry | No Comments »

Tip #8: Hold Up, Back Up

March 31, 2008 – 12:05 pm
You know you've been meaning to.  However, because [fill in reason here] you just haven't gotten around to organizing, archiving, and backing up your computer files and another [week/month/year] has gone by. Today's tip will prevent the loss of last year's mission trip pictures, your videos, your lessons and letters, but only if you take the time to do it.  Grab your calendar, pick a time - just do it.  It's no one's favorite task, but it's an easy way to avoid the "kick me" sign of losing all or some of your irreplaceble files. Sort files into folders or by type (document, photos, media) Archive past years onto CD/DVDs (label them now, too) Back-up remaining files to external source - either a hard drive or online storage service. What are your best practices for handling data and media files on your computer?

Posted in planning, resource management, time management, youth ministry | 1 Comment »