The Real Key to Youth Ministry Success
Going into this youth ministry journey I had no example of what a youth ministry was supposed to be like. I only knew that two amazing volunteers came in unpaid and unappreciated to lead a Sunday School class and pour wisdom and love into a young 17-year-old girl named Jeanne, who was hungry to know something real. They believed in me through blind faith, and lived their love through consistently showing up. What's the secret to youth ministry success? Showing up. I know going to football games and visiting high school campuses is frightening. They always scared me. In all honesty, they still do. Trust me, I've learned if you don't feel a little awkward and out of place, you're probably not doing it right. So I beg you to cross the bridge of your own insecurities and fears to discover those amazing young leaders, those eagles, who are waiting on the other side.
Love your kids so much, they discover the supernatural phenomenon of being loved, to the point that they no longer care what others think, because they know what it is like to feel "real." Nothing compares to knowing you matter to someone, and when you make them feel like they matter to you, it will be much easier to help them see they matter to Jesus. Try it one time, and I promise you'll soon begin to understand that youth ministry is far simpler than most of us have tried to make it. For we war against one Enemy, and as we fight to spare teenagers from an eternity in hell, the youth pastor who spends the most time wins.
Going into this youth ministry journey I had no example of what a youth ministry was supposed to be like. I only knew that two amazing volunteers came in unpaid and unappreciated to lead a Sunday School class and pour wisdom and love into a young 17-year-old girl named Jeanne, who was hungry to know something real. They believed in me through blind faith, and lived their love through consistently showing up. What's the secret to youth ministry success? Showing up. I know going to football games and visiting high school campuses is frightening. They always scared me. In all honesty, they still do. Trust me, I've learned if you don't feel a little awkward and out of place, you're probably not doing it right. So I beg you to cross the bridge of your own insecurities and fears to discover those amazing young leaders, those eagles, who are waiting on the other side.
Love your kids so much, they discover the supernatural phenomenon of being loved, to the point that they no longer care what others think, because they know what it is like to feel "real." Nothing compares to knowing you matter to someone, and when you make them feel like they matter to you, it will be much easier to help them see they matter to Jesus. Try it one time, and I promise you'll soon begin to understand that youth ministry is far simpler than most of us have tried to make it. For we war against one Enemy, and as we fight to spare teenagers from an eternity in hell, the youth pastor who spends the most time wins.
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Lovingly coaching from a distance,
While we all know numbers are not the only factor, or even the strongest factor, in determining the health of your ministry, it is also true that we can't make an eternal difference in an empty chair. In this Youth Leader's Coach we are talking about one of youth ministries' most puzzling topics, "How To Hold On To Numerical Growth."
So grab your coffee and join me as we talk about a few key pragmatic ways to get kids in the door and keep them.
Still Growing 1% at a Time,
Over the years, each of my youth groups have been diverse and unique. But each group has also had one thing in common - we sought to create a friendship culture. This topic is so important to me that I've devoted an entire book to it called "Thriving Youth Groups."
I'm giving you the heart of that concept in this Youth Leader's Coach entitled, "Creating A Friendship Culture In Your Youth Ministry." If a youth group fails what I call the "friendliness test," the youth ministry has all but failed. So grab a cup of java and let me share some of the key principles to change the culture in your group.
Lovingly being a friend,
In this Youth Leader's Coach, I come at the whole idea of reaching out to those students currently outside the "pen" of our youth ministry. We must, as youth pastors, make sure this vital component is not missing from our ministry! I'm calling it "Outreach 101: The Fool's Bench." Yeah, I know it can be a daunting concept, but let me break it down for you into the key elements in the equation for "maximum impact" in our world. You're gonna love it!
Determined to wait at the Fool's Bench,
As I'm launching this exciting new chapter of my life, I just want to pause with you to share some essential principles that I'm putting into action here with my brand new youth ministry family. Statistics tell us if you're in youth ministry for the long haul, you will probably have at least one ministry transition. So whether you are starting all over again like me, or if you just want to bring fresh vision to the ministry you're at now, you'll get some great ideas from this message.
In this Youth Leader's Coach, "Thoughts From The Starting Line," I share with you ten key things that I'll be focusing on in my new youth ministry as I cast vision for the future. Remember, that "first impressions are lasting impressions" so I'm working hard to make these first few months with my new group of amazing students really count.
You may also want to listen to the Source that goes with this Youth Leader's Coach, "8,760 Hours From Now," the first night I spent with my students.
Starting with the end in mind,
