Communicating with the Big Dog

Communication with the Big Dog  

Keeping your supervisor abreast of your vision and plans can save you a lot of time and frustration. Think of the time you spend Informing and sharing as an investment account that grows over time. It may be only a duty in the beginning but eventually it grows into something worth a great deal. You not only build trust but you build a rapport and maybe even a friend.

Don’t reach too high on the ladder of expectation on this one but there are some pastors who are friends with their student minister and hold the ministry to students and the student pastor himself in high regard as he executes his ministry faithfully and professionally under the umbrella of the church.

Some student ministers and supervisors even enjoy a relationship that supersedes the ministry they share. The time and frustration you will save in the long run will far outweigh the time and energy you spend connecting with and relating it to your supervisor.  When occasion arises or when you create the occasion, run your ideas by your supervisor to get input and feedback. Sure, you may get nothing but that’s ok. Maybe your supervisor is a bit out of touch or a generational leftover who identifies more with “uncle Rico” than cutting edge cultural trends but his friendship and approval can still be an asset to you.

Let me share four compelling reasons why it is worth your effort to pursue the best communication possible with your supervisor.

1.      Essential Chain of Command: Sharing information upstream is simply the right way of doing things. If it is not in your job description it should be. Keeping your supervisor informed is not just the right thing to do, it communicates respect, courtesy, and competence. As information flows up and down the communication chain and you do not want to be the weak link in that chain.

2.      Essential to Your Success: it is nearly impossible for you to be highly successful at your ministry job without your supervisor’s support. You may be good at your job. You may even possess the potential for being Moses of the youth group but without the support of your supervisor, your ministry will be less than it could be and your headaches more frequent than they need be. Our research indicates those student ministers who enjoy regular communication with their supervisor are less likely to be terminated or experience premature ministry exit. Our research also reveals that 100% of youth ministers prefer communication over termination.

3.      Essential for Protection: Your supervisor can not protect you from the accidents that occur in student ministry if he is not aware of what is going on. He cannot protect you from negative or ill-informed members who turn on you or share misinformation. Even if he does step up to provide a shield and buckler for your defense he may be forced to do it blindly if he is not informed. It makes him look bad if he does not know the situation so he is inclined to either throw you under the bus so you can learn a lesson in communication or defend you and risk his reputation. Without a relationship and track record of good communication and sound judgment, he is less likely to do the latter.

4.      Essential for Promotion: There will be many times when you will need extra promotion for a student ministry happening. Few people can speak directly to the hearts of senior adults and parents of youth like the senior pastor or administrator. And if they are not routinely seen promoting the student ministry (which would be rare) then their voice of promotion and support will be even louder among the masses. Your supervisor most likely runs in circles to which you have little access no time to cultivate so consider him to be an extension of your promotion and marketing arm.

If you are convinced of these four essentials truths, then cultivate the relationship with your supervisor. Figure out their leadership style, how they like to receive information, when they like to digest new ideas, when timing is best and worse, and how he enjoys relating to you.

”My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, ²⁰ because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. ²¹ Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.” James 1:19-21

“Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.” Hebrews 13:17

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, ²⁴ knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. ²⁵ For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.” Colossians 3:23-25

Floodlights and Spotlights

Floodlights and Spotlights

Some students naturally shine when they walk through the door of your student room. Their personality, appearance or verbal skills make them stand out from the crowd. Others will shine through athletic or academic achievements at school or travel competition. Many students however will only shine when they have opportunity to use their gifts and talents within the student ministry platform. While this creates huge opportunity for student ministry and for the individual youth, remember one principal: Floodlights are usually better than spot lights. Let me share six benefits of floodlights over spotlights:

1.      Flood lights allow students to move in and out of the beams with greater anonymity. If they need the positive attention to blossom they can move to the center. If they are more inclined to serve and grow without attention they may gravitate more to the edges where light is diminished. This approach provides students with greater flexibility along with opportunity.

2.      Flood lights lessen the temptation to focus ministry attention on those who are natural standouts like the athlete, magnet, beauty queen, pied piper and general extrovert.

3.      Flood lights allow you to spread opportunity and attention more equally among youth. Giving students equal amounts of attention will not go unnoticed. Parents of students who do not naturally shine will quickly move to your corner. Students who have a low opinion of themselves will take notice and translate your deliberate strategy into authentic concern and love. Shy students will feel more comfortable, less intimidated as well as a sense of ownership in the ministry.

4.      Flood lights send the message to the church and community that your front door is wider than that of pop-culture, wider than that of the world with loads of acceptance, love, and support distributed with equity.

5.      Floodlights give the hard to love, hard to know, and hard to handle student the opportunity to move out the shadows towards the light.

6.      Floodlights unite students of diverse backgrounds, family systems and ethnic origins. Conversely, spot lights lend themselves to division, separation, and individualism.

As you implement your strategic student ministry vision remember to reach for your floodlight more often than your spot light, giving youth equal attention and demonstrating unconditional love. Developing a flood light ministry will not cause all students to respond, but at least it gives every student an honest shot at shinning.

 
“And the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord, to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord, and to be his servants, everyone who keeps the Sabbath and does not profane it, and holds fast my covenant— these I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.” The Lord God, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, declares, “I will gather yet others to him besides those already gathered.” Isaiah 56:6-8

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28

“To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law.”       I Corinthians 9:20

Why So Serious

Why So Serious
While the work of student ministry is serious business, you don’t want to take yourself or your circumstances too seriously for too long.
Three reasons:
First, things never stay the same for very long so why get too accustom to it or spend too much time lamenting it. Learn from it, take a minute to study it but move on rather quickly.

Second, most student ministry mishaps are not as bad as it seems even when something is truly bad. It is simply human nature to replay the bad stuff over and over in our head but don’t let your imagination run wild with making it worse than it truly is. We also have an adversary roaming around looking for our soft spot to shoot an arrow of defeat into our armor the second we remove a piece. So never remove the protection you have by sinful conduct or dwelling on the negative. Our enemy loves to hit the replay button over and over in slow motion. In fact, he often likes to add special effects to magnify the sense of failure.

Third, nothing is ever as good as you remember. It is also our human nature to amplify our successes or listen to the voices of the cheering crowd. We allow the fan club to hold too much of our attention for too long until we believe we have what it takes to become a local church legend.

Rarely is anything exactly as you think it is because that would assume that you know everything about something or something about everything. Stupidity is thinking what you know is pretty much all there is to be known about that particular subject. If we do not steer clear of extreme highs and lows, then we fall victim to wrong thinking and practical stupidity.

The secret is to take the ministry serious without taking your ministry life too serious. If you are a serious person by nature, then you may have to work at getting jokes, giving in to humor, learning to laugh at yourself or your situation. Failure to manage your serious side can lead people to think you are acting superior, disapproving of their sense of adventure or fun. It may also cause you to miss out of the benefit of lighthearted work. Taking yourself too seriously can put a strain on relationships so lighten up and level out.

Maybe serious is not how you operate or how others would describe your personality. You are by nature the life of the party, the humorous one, or the jokester. Your struggle can be just as frustrating but for different reasons. Since student ministers are already viewed as living on the fun side of ministry-ville, some people might not take you serious enough to allow your ministry strategies to have major impact. Those in your leadership team who favor their serious side may find it challenging to convey their concern for a seriousness situation. It is important for you to strike a balance between being serious about ministry and being serious in ministry. If you can strike this necessary balance you will find the ministry, your leadership team and your mission much more enjoyable during day to day ministry life.

"A happy heart makes the face cheerful" Proverbs 15:13

"A cheerful look brings joy to the heart." Proverbs 15:30

"Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones." Proverbs 16:24

“Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. ⁷ In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness ⁸ and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.” Titus 2:6-8

Ministry by the Numbers

Every ministry must give attention to numbers. Why? Because data gives you a snap shot of where your successes and challenges are developing. You don’t have to be numbers-driven to be affected by numerical data. If your numbers go up, you feel confident. If numbers go down you start questioning the game plan. Very few ministries are impartial towards numbers. After all, coaches are judged by them, merchants succeed or fail by them, athletes are passed over or paid according to them, and pastors compliment or complain because of them. It is rare for a supervising pastor to say with a straight face that he does not care about numbers. Even when it is said, it is often out of a desire not to appear to be ruled by them or appear spiritually immature about them.

The sooner you come to terms with the fact that you are going to be judged, evaluated, complemented, compelled, compared, or competed with over numbers the sooner you can move towards a healthy respect for numbers or an immunity from number obsession.

Good data coupled with honest interpretation can result in greater effectiveness, so let me share seven positive and seven negative number points.

Positive points about ministry by the numbers.

1.      Numbers can provide a snapshot of our ministry.

2.      Numbers help determine where challenges are developing.

3.      Numbers help determine where successes are developing.

4.      Numbers can reveal the portion of the wall that needs attention.

5.      Numbers represent souls and souls are extremely important to God.

6.      Numbers allow us to measure with accuracy.

7.      Numbers call us to fervent prayer – either thanking God for his protection and favor or pleading with Him for it.

When are numbers negative?

1.      When you use them to compare your ministry to others.

2.      When you allow the enemy to depress you or suppress you with them.

3.      When you focus too much on them.

4.      When you allow them to determine your strategy or corrupt the vision God has given you.

5.      When you applaud them or yourself.

6.      When you beat yourself up over them.

7.      When you spend more time analyzing them than praying over them.

Your aim is towards balance and health. The secret is to notice without obsessing. Focus more on becoming a healthy ministry rather a bigger ministry. If you are healthy you will eventually grow. The theory of Student Ministry growth is expressed as A+H=EN>. If it is ALIVE and HEALTHY, it will EVENTUALLY and NATURALLY grow.

The responsibility for nurturing a youth group towards sustained health is just as much your responsibility is as keeping your body and mind fit for service. But patience is a continual struggle and steps towards allowing health and subsequent growth takes time. Therein lies the rub – how much time? Of course each ministry situation is different and to some degree health is dependent on the excitement, attraction and overall health of the church as a whole. Albert Einstein said "The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once." Be patient and remember that the best growth is gradual and steady and if it all happened at once you would struggle to assimilate students and families or meet their individual needs.

Numbers should be for our health and ministry benefit so keep them in perspective and remember that what you do is too vital, too important to be unduly distracted by a negative number game. 

“So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace being build up; and going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase”. Acts 9:31

 ^“Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work”. Ephesians 4:15-16

Curriculum: Choose Wisely

Who's job is it to research, evaluate and select bible curriculum for your student ministry? In most student ministries the youth pastor is responsible for recruiting, training and nurturing small group leaders who teach biblical truth and exhibit a Christian lifestyle. The tools you select to assist your volunteers and yourself matter a great deal. When you purchase curriculum, don’t simply use it “as is” out of the box. Instead, read through it ahead of time and tailor it according to the individual needs of your students. From the mega-ministry to the mini-mart, someone should be “proofing” what is being served up on the table of truth from the curriculum tool box. A publishing company will never know your students as well as you or your small group leaders. If you have put your curriculum under a microscope you will be well informed and able to comment on any aspect of it. In many cases it’s not so much a trust issue between you and the publishing group as it is a responsibility towards “righty diving the word of truth”. It is also your opportunity to offer customization thoughts/ideas from which your small group leaders can draw from. When you take the time to know what your volunteers are teaching the parents will appreciate it and you will be conveying to your parents important a priority the small group discipleship time is to you. It is equally important that you consider having all your small group leaders using the same curriculum. Doing this allows students to be on the same page and leads your teachers towards a standardized approach in unpacking biblical content.

Consider the FIVE “T”s when selecting curriculum.

1    1.THEOLOGY: Is it theologically sound? You don’t want to miss the mark on this one. You are the gatekeeper, the filter, and the watchman.

2. TOP DOWN TENETS: Does it match up with my senior pastor and his major theological tenets? While you might think this would not be an issue with selecting student ministry curriculum it can become one. Often times a Youth Minister will inherit a senior pastor or vice versa and find out later that the two are on slightly different pages regarding a couple of theology points. If you intend to remain in your position then you need to be a team player and be willing and able to allow your theology to play second fiddle to that of the senior pastor.

3. TOOLS: Does it provide volunteers with enough quality tools to promote excellence in teaching?  Small group leaders must have access to quality commentary but equally beneficial and often compromised is a surfeit of ideas to get students connected, engaged and responsive during the bible lesson.

4. TEACHING: Is the content built upon solid instructional methods? The explanation, examination, and application should reflect high retention teaching methods that demonstrate a solid grasp of adolescent development?

5.  TIMED OUT: Is it stimulating, attractive and current regarding culture, references and illustration? Just because curriculum is old does not mean it has and expiration date. At the same time, just because curriculum is new does not mean it has been built upon solid methods for teaching adolescents.

In most youth ministries, teaching students the bible is accomplished from two main delivery platforms: 1. The adolescent pulpit during a  weekly large group gathering and 2. Small group discipleship programming like D-groups, Life groups or Connect groups.

No matter what you call your teaching or discipleship delivery system, take your responsibility for selecting curriculum seriously.

In a growing number of churches, the responsibility for selecting the primary discipleship curriculum has been removed from the privy of the student minister. Why? In many cases it is because one or more of the five T’s was not carefully considered. Don’t be a curriculum slacker who lets everyone choose what they want to use without your scrutiny. Equally important is not to jump on some new band-wagon of popular publishing without careful evaluation. Someone may be an awesome camp preacher, a great writer, or extremely creative yet completely miss the mark for developing high quality student ministry discipleship curriculum. If selecting the curriculum for building disciples is your responsibility be diligent not to fumble the ball from lack of focus or give it up through carelessness.

“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” II Timothy 2:15

To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some. I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it. I Corinthians 9:22-23

 

Personality and Student Ministry

Every church and every student ministry has its own personality. Some are known for their friendly disposition while others are known for their generosity and big heart towards missions. Some are community minded while others appear more separated. In large ministries even grades can have distinct personality. I once had an extraordinarily large eighth grade boys group and their personality as a grade in our ministry was overwhelmingly that group of “extrovert jocks”. There were always new prospects showing up on Wednesday night because these guys were outgoing with regular opportunities to invite team-mates and school friends. Being the seniors of the middle school they wielded considerable leverage for outreach.
What type of personality does your group have? What type of personality do you want it to have? If you stick around long enough, your ministry can become more like you. Is that good or bad? Your personality will essentially rub off on the students, the leadership and parents. They become comfortable with how you manage the ministry and how you approach situations. In a productive and healthy ministry, their confidence in you goes up as does their trust in your decisions. Remember that you are modeling the ministry to students that you want your volunteers to imitate.
Have you ever wondered what personality types are most vulnerable to burn-out, firing or failure in Student Ministry? Which personality type tends to register more ministry success and health? Taken from Gary Smalley and John Trent’s personality type inventory, the four animal types (Golden Retriever, Otter, Beaver, and Lion) help point to an understanding of what personality types appear to enjoy longer ministry tenure. According to Ken Kageler’s study, the breakdown of personality types among those youth ministers who were fired or burned-out rank as follows:
32% are Otters
30% are Golden Retrievers
25% are Lions
13% are Beavers
In our own SME study of student ministers with exceptional tenure (7 years in the same church) we found the highest-ranking personality type was the Golden Retriever, which earned 43.5 percent. According to Kageler’s study, the dominant personality type among youth ministers in the United States is the Golden Retriever at 40 percent, followed by the Otter at 32 percent. Additionally, Kageler found that the personality type leading in numerical attendance growth among middle school youth belongs to Lions at 81 percent followed by Beavers at 74 percent, while high school youth returned a 69 percent for Lions and 59 percent for Otters.
Golden Retriever types are loyal, relational, calm, easy-going, dependable, quiet, objective, diplomatic, and humorous. It is not surprising that these personality traits would produce a youth minister with a propensity towards exceptional tenure. There is an 8.7 percent difference between the frontrunner, Golden Retriever, and the second place personality type, which is the Lion. The Lion likes authority, takes charge, displays great confidence, enjoys leading, and is very determined. Since there is significant difference between these two personality types, one might conclude good news for both. The positive reality is that both types have a good record in position tenure. While all personalities have success at longevity, the Golden Retrievers and Lions can take comfort in the solid longevity track record among their diverse personality types. While all four personality types are represented in our tenure study, the lowest ranking type is the Beaver. At 17.4 percent, the Beaver falls 26.1 percentage points below the dominant Golden Retriever. The results might persuade a search team who places a high priority on longevity to seek a Golden Retriever or Lion for a youth minister. On the other hand, Beavers and Otters might take note of their standing in order to be more deliberate in achieving skills or practices that may extend tenure. No matter your personality, you have the opportunity to impact many lives and enjoy a healthy productive ministry as God calls you and leads you to shepherding students. Remember, your ministry, over time and to a great extent, will become “like” you. So minister with excellence and enjoy what God will build through your efforts.

“Be ye therefore imitators of God, as beloved children;² and walk in love, even as Christ also loved you, and gave himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for an odor of a sweet smell. Ephesians 5:1-2

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.³² Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, ³³ just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved. Be imitators of me as I am of Christ.” I Corinthians 10:31-11:1

Create A Watchtower Ministry

Make your ministry a Watchtower ministry. That can be a scary statement if you have ever had the Jehovah’s Witness pay you a house-call to leave their flagship flier the Watchtower. Of course I am not talking about a little pamphlet stuffed with well-disguised lies. I am talking about peering into the lives of students and observing their circumstances, their high times and their lows. If you have a large group, you will need to cultivate your leadership team and small group leaders to be the primary watchmen. If your group is smaller you may be the only one manning the tower at first. Before seminary, I wanted to save some start-up money for married life. Since my degree was in Criminology, I took a job in the Florida penal system at Union Correctional facility. As an engaged single guy I signed up for every hour of overtime I could get - double shifts, holiday pay, and close-custody compensation. However there was one drawback; my extra shift was usually on tower-duty. With a standard issue 12guage shotgun and an AR15 rifle, I sat in a concrete tower overlooking the recreation yard occupied by a thousand inmates each day. The visual vantage point from a tower is tremendous. You can see trouble brewing and direct help to various areas as needed. One vigilant watchman can respond to a variety of situations. Likewise, one committed ministry watchman can provide a tremendous amount of support to a student ministry. Give your volunteers the advantage of noticing students who might be struggling with life issues. Train volunteers not to assume struggling youth will be okay or that someone is speaking encouragement and truth into his or her situation. Train volunteers to pursue relational investment with students and engage them with genuine care and concern. Don’t get so busy that fraught students slip through the cracks or get lost in the masses.

“Then the lookout called, "O Lord, I stand continually by day on the watchtower, And I am stationed every night at my guard post.” Isaiah 21:8

“But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people and the sword comes and takes someone’s life, that person’s life will be taken because of their sin, but I will hold the watchman accountable for their blood.’” Ezekiel 33:6

Media Tip

When using video from a movie trailer, Youtube or other open source media, make sure you watch the WHOLE clip before incorporating it into your lesson. There are few glitches more embarrassing than a surprise on the big-screen. Never use media imaging just to appear relevant or cool. On the other hand, don’t hesitate to illustrate a message point using video or some other media source. Modern media capability is a wonderful teaching enhancement tool but it can also make you the joke at Tuesday's staff meeting as well as a question mark in the minds of parents. Our standard in the way we teach, preach, present, counsel and function is to live up to Philippians 4:8 - "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." 1 Corinthians 10:31 - "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."

The SILO Effect

Be careful what you are constructing at the student ministry construction site. Without deliberate effort you may accidentally be building a silo rather than a production plant. Some construction looks awesome and spectacular on the outside but turns out to be more of a monument than a manufacturing plant. Is it silo or solo – same thing, a ministry that builds upward and is constructed to store rather than produce. While all silo building isn’t necessarily bad, it can become a real detriment in time. I don’t know of any credible student pastor who would deliberately choose to construct a student ministry storage facility over an adolescent Christian production plant. Without balance and purpose however,  an adolescent disciple making and manufacturing plant can accidentally be reduced to a silo or storehouse  ministry. A silo ministry operates more from an independent framework than from underneath the umbrella of the church as a whole. How you lead and implement your ministry in this regard is a major factor in evaluating healthy student ministry. A silo or tower style ministry does not look at itself as a slice of the pie. Silo leaders see their ministry as THE whole pie. But remember, you are not the whole pie, but only a slice of it. Albeit a very important slice and a slice which the church’s future success depends upon, but still only a slice. To be fair, let me offer a few strengths of a ministry that has a stich of silo fiber woven into the fabric. First, a silo ministry encourages people to remain focused on a particular ministry. Second, it tends to bring people who are passionate about a particular ministry together. Third, a silo ministry can ensure that a particular group is strong in being thoroughly looked after. Fourth, a silo ministry leader knows precisely who he is to encourage, train, support, and supply. Interestingly, the weaknesses of silo ministry emerge from extreme versions of its strength characteristics applied over time. For example, silo ministry can create an environment where the ministry and its leader is so busy looking after its own interest and building itself up that it loses touch with the pastor’s vision for the whole church. Also, if each individual ministry is determined to secure the best resources, recruit the best people, and secure its desired finances without equal concern for the greater body, then the whole church will eventually suffer. Rather than the church body working together in sync towards a church-wide vision it dissolves into a dysfunctional organization with little to no conversation across ministry lines. Another problem with silo style leadership is that the team you lead become more important than the team you are on. In this system, volunteers can become valued only for their ability and willingness to serve your particular ministry silo. This promotes a recruiting competition that becomes more concerned with bagging the best volunteer leaders rather than helping people find their best ministry match per gift and skill set.
Patrick Lencioni the author of the “silo” concept shares the following negative results from allowing such a ministry style to take root.

• Unhealthy competition emerges
• Jealousy creeps in
• Hurt feelings pile up
• Pride increases
• Lack of trust grows
• Fighting over limited resources
• Foot dragging on collaborative ideas
• Politics establish priorities

How can you tell if you are accidentally constructing a silo ministry rather than a disciple factory? Ask yourself these questions:

1. Is filling a position more important to you than helping people discover their passion?

2. Is the value of a volunteer highly linked to whether or not they serve in your ministry?

3. Do you find yourself lobbying for resources that will only benefit your ministry area?

4. Do invite input from other ministry staff to determine how your ministry event can also benefit their area of expertise.

5. Do you seek to collaborate with other ministers in planning, promoting, and executing a ministry happening.

6. Do you involve the entire church by seeking and sharing prayer request when possible? If you do, the church receives the privilege of prayer, you get the credit for thinking of the senior adults and the youth ministry wins through supernatural prayer and practical promotion of ministry. Nothing can help your efforts more than an army of senior citizens who have time to pray for you, your students and your family. Also, they will likely spread the word how “awesome” and thoughtful you are.

If you want to change, minimize or remove silos from your ministry remember to build from the bottom up. Base your ministry foundation on unity remembering that unity does not mean uniformity.

“How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity.” Psalm 133:1

“I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.” 1Corinthians 1:10

Christianese

Ditch the “Christianese.” It is a bit comical but mostly sad to hear any minister use abstruse theology or diffuse biblical concepts. They sound smart and well trained as a polymath in Christian living. However, our intent should be to expose people to the Gospel rather than leaving them confused or impressed by our prolix of verbosity. While student pastors are not the leaders of the pack in this matter compared to those serving as senior pastor, it can be a challenging aspect of student ministry. We want to challenge students without watering down the non-negotiable truths, yet we also want them “get it”. Better to err on the side of simplicity than arcane pleonasm. Use language teenagers understand. This is not the same as using language that sounds like a teenager is the one talking, but rather using words that convey concrete concepts and leave little room for misunderstanding. ex: Christianese says: The third part of the triune God spilt His blood as the propitiation for our transgressions. Speaker to an adolescent audience says: Jesus is the payment for our sin debt. Deep theological lessons and countless hours of preparation mean nothing if they don’t know what you’re talking about. And while I am on a verbal rant, please make a deliberate effort to use words like I, we, and us when preaching rather than you, they, and them. Too often preaching assumes everyone in the room is a believer or the implied idea that everyone needs what is being preached but the one doing the preaching. They may never know how much time you spend preparing to deliver a theological masterpiece understood by your adolescent audience. They may never appreciate your dedication to crafting Gods word into understandable concepts that a high school student can grasp. They may not realize the challenge in delivering bite-sized truths that capture the attention span of a middle school student with Attention Deficit Disorder. But if you speak the truth in love and commit to the task of building a sermon with the learning style and developmental stage of your target audience in mind, you will find more students responding to the truth of the Gospel.

“The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.” Psalm 119:130

“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” Colossians 4:6

Understanding These Techy Times

Technology has always  been appreciated and celebrated by the adolescent community as well as those who lead them in ministry. Often times it is the appreciation of new technology that creates a special bond between the music ministry and student ministry. While new technology is greatly championed by teen culture, the life-span of an electronic item seems to get shorter each year. My first ministry electronics purchase was a VHS player that would connect to our 300lb youth room TV. The first projection unit I acquired was in 1986. We were thrilled to have a re-purposed overhead mounted projector from a defunct PanAm aircraft. The unit cost $6000 and could be focused only at 4, 8 and 12 foot increments after lining up the color grids. It was an incredible piece of equipment and one-of-a kind among the Panama City Florida church community. In a few short years we saw projection units shrink into portables models only 1/5 the size with major resolution improvements. Soon we would embraced the emerging technology of cassette tapes, V8mm, and Hi8 recording. Personal recording and duplication gave rise to youth music libraries. By 1988 we were training interns and students how to shoot and edit video with our youth editing suite. When the AG 1970 linier editing decks gave way to the new AG1980 decks we had to have a pair. In a few short years we would swap our $1,700 editing decks for $300 computer software that could not only edit but retain a digital copy – wow! From the mobile bag-phone that cost $2 per minute to use to the excitement of the Palm 100 PDA (personal digital assistant) to the windows operating system the trend continues. Imagine youth group games using an affordable pair of google glasses or hologram imagining your student band and 3D printing promotional items. Yes, embrace the technology of the day. In fact, lead the pack if you want to but remember, you don’t have to have the latest tech toy to impresses local tribal leaders. You do however, need to stay current, as in  . . . what your college age volunteer Geek Squad thinks is current. Any technology that helps communicate the Gospel message, your ministry vision, and ministry event information can be a blessing and well worth the effort and cost to remain relevant. Conversely, if you are spending an inordinate amount of time tinkering with and trying out the newest release then maybe you should back the throttle down a bit and rethink the benefit and priority of relational ministry. Know the times in which you live and exercise wisdom towards the vast availability and access to the electronic “things” and “stuff” at your disposal.

“And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do. . . “

I Chronicles 12:32a. 

“Keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5

Affirmation Is Essential

Affirm your students, parents, and volunteers every chance you get. Encourage and compliment them corporately, in small group and as individuals. Big victories get our attention making it convenient to celebrate because we enjoy affirming a big win. A significant success prompts us towards gratitude and acknowledgement of God’s unmerited favor. Some victories are large while others may go virtually unnoticed. But with every small victory in the life of a youth or youth leader a big win is being constructed. Little things eventually add up to form big things in the business of life-shaping and character molding. So when it comes to accolades in ministry remember to praise students publically, admonish them privately and celebrate with them equally. I have never met a parent who did not appreciate someone being a positive influence in the spiritual life of their child. Even lost parents raising children in a Godless home will more often than not, appreciate your efforts towards character development. Parents who connect with the student ministry as a supportive participant will sing the praises of caring student ministry. Students who are regular attenders will never forget your personal affirmation. Students who are lost may receive their only encouragement from you or someone on your leadership team. Not only will your affirmation be appreciated, it will become contagious as well as an attractant for youth and families.

“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you have been doing.” I Thessalonians 5:11

“Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how to respond to each person.” Colossians 4:6

Shepherd > Friend

You are the leader of a student ministry before you are a friend to youth. While student leaders do enjoy a high degree of relational connections with teens there is often a temptation to connect with them on the wrong level. The pressure and desire to connect with your target age group and impact their life can lead to an unhealthy attachment or misplaced priority. While your heart may be in the right place and your passion be inspiring, a less than professional etiquette must be avoided. In other words, don’t “lower” yourself just to gain approval by the high school “power brokers”, the “in” crowd, the ones who lead the heard. Don’t be sucked into acting in a certain way just to be labeled the “cool” youth leader. In an attempt to connect and be accepted by the youth do not lower your standard or side-step your responsibility in being a biblical example. If you find yourself striving for acceptance by lowering your standard, take a step back, pray, and share your challenge with a trusted ministry friend. Remember, you do not want to do anything that would diminish your position or reputation in exchange for being “one of the gang”. Students don’t need you to be their primary friend, but they do need you to be someone they can trust and emulate. You may not see the effects of a misplaced friendship priority for a season or even longer. You may not recognize an inappropriate reputation gradually being constructed. Among parents, elders and deacons however, you will lose more leverage and influence than any temporary gains you might get from an emphasis on or pursuit of the cool factor. So speak the truth of God’s word in love and embrace the friendships that arise from leading students rather than impressing them. Your authentic love and discerning leadership will inspire them without the pressure of being voted flavor of the year by Cool Youth Leader's Magazine.

“Shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness.” I Peter 5:2  “In all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified . . . “ Titus 3:7

Communication 101

The number one complaint from pastors regarding their student minister is: lack of communication. You think it would be skating off the hand rails in front of the sanctuary or backing the church van into the parking stop at BeefObradys wing house. But no, the top complaint from pastors or supervisors is the lack of information. Few things frustrate a senior pastor or administrator more than being unaware of what is going on, especially when it is exceptionally great or potentially problematic. Make it a priority to update the staff, shoot an email or drop a flier their way prior to a ministry event. It takes a bit more planning and time but communicating well will pay future dividends to you and the ministry. When your butt is in a sling, about to get chewed on or a black eye is headed your way, communication can be your biggest ally. And just in case you doubt it; one day you are going to get a black eye and your butt is going to get in somebody’s sling – so just communicate; better yet, over-communicate, super-saturate the staff, parents and youth. I have never heard of a parent or staff member in ANY student ministry anywhere say: “You know, our student pastor is excessive in keeping us in the loop. I wish he would lighten up on the communication a bit.”

Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.” Ephesians 4:25

Partner With Parents, Don't Compete!

Student Ministry is not a game of “us” against “them”. The “us” being the students and their illustrious captain and leader and “them”  being the parents and gray hairs. Younger youth leaders have to fight the urge to view questioning parents as “them”. Sometimes even older leaders tend to overlook them in favor of a more compliant man power source such as intern staff. Learn to see parents and other adults as part of the ministry team, each with a gift and talent to contribute. The more comfortable, inclusive, and informative you become with parents, the more likely they are to sing your praises all over town. And since they are going to sing something, it might as well be your praises!

"From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love." Ephesians 4:16  "Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and [that] there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment." 1 Corinthians 1:10

Small Group Truth: Know Names

In small groups, strive to learn every students name as soon as possible. In larger groups this can be a challenge but doable. In huge groups, this may be impractical or nearly impossible. It should always be someone’s responsibility to KNOW the students name. So according to the size of ministry, if it is not you, make certain someone on the team is on top of it – like small group leaders. Nothing breaks down barriers with students, especially peripheral or visiting youth like calling them by name. It communicates to students that you take a personal interest in serving them. Also, try to avoid the habit of using generic camouflage names like: sport, buddy, man, girl, or friend. Students will only give you a "pass" for so long. In most cases, the use of generics simply increases the suspicion that you don’t know who you are speaking to. Your ministry will be greatly enhanced and attractive if students hear their name. A survey was conducted among elementary kids and the question was asked: What is love? Billy, age 4 said: "When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth.” 
Remember:  “Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.” Proverbs 17:28   "Fear not: for I have redeemed you, I have called you by name; thou art mine." Isaiah 43:1 

You're Not Perfect, Admit It... Literally

Staff, students and parents will all endear themselves to you much more readily if you can become comfortable with admitting failure. Your job does not demand perfection and you can not deliver it. People love to pull a perfectionist down, but they tend to root for the one they can relate to . . .  the flawed, imperfect, in need of forgiveness type. I’m not talking about self-depreciation or washing your ministry laundry in front of the parents or leadership. I am referring to the benefit in finding greater comfort with saying – I need your help, I may have rushed that a bit, I wish I had done that differently, and that did not turn out as I envisioned it. Really it is about the admitting and acceptance of the fact that you have nothing to offer if Christ is not your benefactor of grace and strength.
Remember . . .
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27   

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.  Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5: 6,7 

Attending To Personal Sanctification

Prayer and daily alone time with the Father are the only hope you have to survive and thrive beyond the beginner stage (three years) of Student Ministry. And when you make it to that milestone, you will realize that prayer, daily alone time and volunteer leadership are the only way you will survive beyond the veteran status of five years. Becoming an equipper of the saints for the work of the ministry is the only hope you have in passing the seven year (considered exceptional tenure) mark in student ministry. Every young youth minister dreams of making a huge impact and seeing loads of students coming to know Christ as savior. The best gift you can give yourself is alone time with the Father, time in the word, and commitment to developing volunteer leadership.

"And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love." Ephesians 4:11-16