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