Youth Ministry Tips

Tip #52: Meet Well

March 24, 2008 – 10:13 am
Among the hundreds of youth work staff and volunteers I've known, I don't think I've ever met one that loves meetings.  To be honest, it's a rare youth workers that even likes meetings.  Be that as it may, meetings with pastors, leaders, students, community members, parents, elders... well, the list is long and fairly non-negotiable. How to make this meeting reality better is the trick.  Meetings fall, generally, into two categories - you're in charge, or you're not.  A few pointers for each: When you're in charge: Schedule with purpose.  Every meeting should have one primary purpose, and all the points on the agenda need to relate directly to that purpose. Begin and end on time.  Everyone is busy, and time is a precious asset.  Nothing says 'I'm more important than you are' to someone than to be kept waiting, especially with no explanation. Pray.  Before, during, and after the meeting.  Before, for the meeting ...

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

Tip #454: Live and Learn

March 17, 2008 – 10:53 am
Live and learn, the saying goes, implying that it is life's experiences which are humanity's best teacher.  If you've spent much time as a youth minister, you know that there is some truth to that saying; but you also know that there is more to learning than experiencing.  Digging into how people learn at different stages of life is fascinating, and it's fair to say that it's hard work to teach in all the ways that will reinforce the truths and principles of Jesus. One aspect of effective teaching in youth ministry is to make use of methods which will allow students of different learning styles to understand the building blocks of a disciples' life.  We talk a lot about this in youth ministry, yet when we do, we are generally sitting in chairs looking at someone in front of us talking.  We don't mean to, but it happens when we're ...

Posted in communication, creative, disciple, teaching, youth ministry | No Comments »

Tip #2: Listen

March 10, 2008 – 11:32 am
A wise mentor once said "You have two ears and one mouth, listen twice as much as you speak." Likely among the most valuable ministry tips I've ever received because listening is so integral to understanding, to communicating, to expressing caring to the students, parents and community members God has put in our lives. Remember the keys to listening excellently: Attend - physically face the speaker, make eye contact, lean forward, relax, maintain an open posture, use positive gestures. Reflect - when the speaker makes a point, summarize it in your own words using a phrase beginning with something like "I hear you saying that... is that right?" This reinforces your attentive body language, gives the opportunity for clarification, and helps you remember by repetition. Focus - reject internal distractions! The human mind can process language about twice as fast as humans can speak. Focus on the speakers words, body language, ...

Posted in communication, leadership, youth ministry | No Comments »

Tip #99: Now Showing

March 3, 2008 – 11:29 am
One of the most frequent youth ministry dilemmas (and nightmares) is deciding what constitutes an appropriate movie to see with youth or show at a youth gathering.  This will vary, obviously, depending upon the ages of the students and what level of fill-in-the-blank-potential-pitfall is acceptable to you, youth and parents. Well ahead of time, survey parents about their rules regarding allowable movies for their students.  Ask what movies they allow (ratings, themes, etc), which they don't (and why), and which they did and wish they hadn't.   Have a similar discussion with your pastor.  This process will produce your rule of thumb for choosing movies as you learn where the most cautious position is and find the lowest (most conservative, least risky) common denominator.  Movies that don't fit that standard and are compelling enough to require use will need parental notification and perhaps permission to show. Don't forget, pre-screen everything, even short clips, ...

Posted in communication, culture, leadership, parents, planning, youth ministry | No Comments »

Tip #77: Work Together

February 25, 2008 – 11:42 am
Communicating with the parents of the kids in the church - whether or not they are directly or regularly involved in the youth ministry - is one of the make or break aspects of the youth minister's job.  Churched or unchurched, uninvolved or super-involved, parents in this murky culture we live in need to know that you, your adult volunteers, and the teachings, spaces and activities of the group you lead will do no harm.  This is a big machine concept, and the kinds of information that communicates "this ministry has the well-being of your child among our priorities" comes in a number of small parts. Details - share as much detail as you have with parents about times, places, activities and locations; then stick to it as closely as possible or communicate why you're not. Protect - share the training you and your team members have - such as trip chaperones ...

Posted in leadership, parents, youth ministry | 1 Comment »

Tip #44: Leaders are Readers

February 18, 2008 – 1:27 pm
The best ministry leaders are always reading something that will increase their biblical or theological understanding expand their leadership vision refresh their soul and spirit challenge their paradigm bridge the divide between Christ and culture. What are the books or websites you've found invaluable to your growth and development as a leader?

Posted in leadership, youth ministry | 1 Comment »

Tip #666: Road Witness

February 11, 2008 – 2:09 pm
Gerrard Fess submitted this too-funny-to-pass-up bit of wisdom from his own recent experience: "Don't cut anyone off while driving the church van.  The church name and phone number are on the vehicle!" He makes a good point that works in the broader picture as well.  Whether we're thinking about it or not, we're witnesses to the Lordship of Jesus Christ all the time - even behind the wheel.  We never know who's watching or how that might affect their perception of the Church or her Savior.

Posted in leadership, trips, youth ministry | 2 Comments »