Longevity In Ministry

Random thoughts that could help you stay in ministry:

Keep the main thing the main thing.

Remember to always make your family the first priority and ministry.

The church was there before you and it will be there after you.

The church universal will remain weather you are there or, the same can't be said for your family.

Get into God's Word.

God gave us His Word for our personal growth, strength and understanding of what we are called to do and how to live.  Don't just read the Bible to prep for messages, read the Bible to be more like Jesus.

Develop your leaders, not your ego.

Everyone likes to be loved, feel needed and wanted.  However, ministry is about equipping and training people to lead others to Christ.  Ministry has no place for egos, although there seems to be many of them out there.

Take time off.

Make sure you get away from the church building at least once a week.  There will always be more to do and never enough time (read point number two again).

Create a support group.

Gather people around you who will pray and support you, even when you make mistakes!

Pray!

Reading the Bible and prayer are often neglected by pastors who struggle and are our most important tools.  Be in constant communication with God, this means listening as much as talking.

Look for mentors.

Find pastors and leaders who have been in "successful" ministries, buy them lunch and learn from their stories and experience.

Finally, ask other leaders what you should add to this list.

The Right Answer

During the last 17 years of youth ministry I have had the privilege of attending and speaking at many different youth events, camps, retreats, conferences and training days.  My time at these events has always been refreshing and energizing to me.  I enjoy having the chance to talk to new, upcoming students and leaders.

Recently I was speaking at a conference and had a couple youth leaders say that all students really need is to have leaders in their life who are authentic followers of Jesus Christ.  I don't disagree with the statement, I just feel like there is more to it.  Just like there are different "stages" of a person's journey as a Christian, there are different needs for those different stages.  Some students need a friend; others need a leader while some need someone just to spend time with them.  All of these roles are different and usually only a small number of students are looking for authentic followers of Christ, at first.

Students are looking for more than adults who are authentic; they are looking for adults who actually want to spent time with them.  They want to have someone, anyone believe in them enough to invest in them as a person.  Students aren't looking for authentic followers of Jesus, they are looking for Jesus.  

What I Got When I Least Expected It

I recently went to the National Youth Workers Convention in Pittsburg, PA. The purpose of going was to allowing some of the youth staff to receive some youth ministry insight from leaders, authors and developers in youth ministry. This was NYWC number twelve for me and I enjoy attending with youth staff and friends so I can build on relationships with those who share the same call and passion for students, and during this trip I was encouraged to see the energy and involvement of those who attended with me, but for some reason I was not feeling the joy or excitement of being there that I had in the past. Recently God has been “moving” in my life and there is something going on inside of me that I can’t put my figure on. At the convention I began to see what a gift I have been given in where I serve and how God is using and blessing the ministry I am a small part of. Through conversations and sharing I saw many hurting youth workers who would give anything to be a part of what I daily take for granted. During one of the scheduled seminar times I decided to meet with a person who listens and prays for God’s direction and Will in the life and ministry of youth pastors. The time allotted was an hour, an entire hour. I hesitated to sign my name as this was something that I had never done and, did I mention it was an HOUR? I meet the person and was instantly comfortable with casual conversation but thinking this could never take an hour, twenty minutes max. As I began to share, I really felt the Holy Spirit begin to direct my words and I started to share from the part of me that I usually lock-down. I finally paused long enough for my prayer mentor to say, “We only have about five minutes left, so I would like to pray for you.” I was startled to think I had shared for more than fifty minutes of what and how God has been working in my life and the desire I have to love, serve and continually grow closer to Him. I recently went to the National Youth Workers Convention in Pittsburg, PA. The purpose of going was to allow some of the youth staff to receive some youth ministry insight from leaders, authors and developers in youth ministry… what I left with was a renewed sense of His call, but more importantly, a renewed sense of His unconditional, passionate, uncompromised, mind-blowing love for me.

Tomorrow

Sorry, I have been really busy. I promise to add some new post and links. I'll start... tomorrow!

"Kick Off" What?

September 5, 2008 was our Jr. High "kick-off" for the school year. You know, the time of year when all the "good stuff" happens.  What is with Summer anyway?  All you do in ministry is stay busy going from camp to camp and committing to finish all the projects and programs that you didn't get to during the school year because you were neck deep in ministry.  So with Summer done (at least with it coming to a near end) we begin to "kick" things off.  We act like ministry is starting up and the good stuff is right around the corner for the students and families that we serve and minister to.  What about those who were part of the long, hot, over committed Summer experience?  What about those who made new commitments, new friends and new memories?  I love to get back in the pattern of life (if there really is such a thing) with my children in school and not spending a week or two or even three away from my family.  BUT, there is something to be said for Summer and those encounters that we, the students and our families had with God.  I don't have a problem with the phrase "kick off" I just think I want to keep the momentum going.  I want to kick off every day with Jesus and live like I am as blessed as I actually am...SO, I think I am going to attempt to live a "kicked off life" so others see that my relationship with Jesus is not based on the season, events, programs or feelings surrounding me, but a decision and commitment made daily to live and love my God my Savior!

Living for Jesus & Loving it!

Todd

What's A Mom & Dad To Do?

Recently I was at a conference and had a great opportunity to sit in a seminar that was focused on involving parents in Youth Ministry.  The emphasis was on plugging in parents as participants and making them informed partners of the ministry their teenagers are involved in.  This is not a new paradigm shift in student ministry, but, it is something that over the years has become a focus and almost a necessity in developing a student ministry that is relevant and effective in large, growing churches.  This is a short post with a short question: How do you include parents in your ministry?

Living for Jesus & Loving it!

T

Penny For Your Thoughts

It's the thought that counts.  This is a phrase that I learned growing up and thought it was some unwritten guideline that people should try to live by to be more thankful.  After all, it doesn't matter how people help, give, respond or even treat each other, it's all about their thoughts, right? Thoughts are great!  Who hasn't heard the phrase "our thoughts are with you" while facing struggles, trials or life changing events.  Don't read me wrong; I think it's great to have others thinking of me... as long as those thoughts are followed with an action.  I must admit that I am guilty of this on, well, just about a daily basis.  Part of me is ashamed to admit that, but it's true. Thoughts of loved ones, friends, leaders, students, and ministry families come to mind but I become to occupied with "stuff" and put no actions to my thoughts.  I recently have been challenged to put my "thoughts into action" and follow through with some of the "tugs" my head and heart often experience when people come to mind.  I am reminded from God's Word that others will know I have a personal relationship with Christ by my love (the verb) not my thoughts. I pray that you will put your thoughts into action for those you love, serve and lead!

Living for Jesus & Loving it!