Here are the key elements I take into account:

1. Take A Breath: What I love most about summer is there are less stressors competing for my student’s energy.  While scheduling may still be an issue, I feel like I get a more laid back version of my youth.  This is why I love to take the time to teach life lessons in action.  Rather than simply sitting for a study, we serve together.  Yes, we do take a mission’s trip,  however,  we find other ways to give to the community as well.  In the midst of our projects we talk about the Bible, life lessons, and accountability.
2. Reinforce & Build: Over the course of the school year I have some key themes we focus on.   Summer is when I come at those same ideas from a new fresh angle.  I love to come up  with activities that back up lessons we have been talking about, then at the end sit down and discuss what they keep learning. As we strengthen the learning,  it provides building blocks to new lessons about the Lord.
3. Stop the Fun: Here’s what I mean.  Saying that our summertime activities should be more “fun” is like saying that we are boring the rest of the year.  There is space however, to be more creative in some instances. Summer is the perfect venue to ask parents to host a dessert or open their home.  Ask students to “plan the summer.”  This is the time when they have the bandwidth to try.  Could they come up with games, activities or ideas?  It will take some guidance, however,  try including them not only in what they want,  but  taking ownership.
4. Focus Down: Many times we talk about how we want summer to deepen our relationships with students.  Yet,  merely “hanging out” doesn’t always make that happen.  Be purposeful in your relational time.  Focus on ways you can get to know youth  deeply, and allow them to get to know you.

I’ll be honest.  Yearly I have a love/hate relationship with summer youth programming.  I think the reason is I always think it will be the “easiest” time of the year and inevitably it turns out to be the busiest.  However,  there is nothing like the “lazy days of summer” to allow time to get to know Jesus better than ever before.

Leneita

1) Pray. Take time this week to have your students pray for this terrible situation. I believe there are three good reasons to do so. First, it’s important we all come to God in times like this. While we cannot understand and fathom what has happened, I have found before that God is able to give us peace when we pray. It’s important we help students find this peace. Second, it gives students a good focus and helps them to become more aware of the world around them. So often students are caught up with self and will miss the pain in the world around. Praying will help them see the world in a more compassionate way. Third, out of prayer, God will often give us tangible ways in which we can help in practical ways.

2) Network with Churches in the Affected Area: Just last night one of my students messaged me and told me her mom and dad know a number of people who attend churches in Moore, OK. Making connections with churches in the area will help us ascertain their needs and ways in which we can help. At times like this, there are often certain supplies that are needed in that area.

3) Create an Event to Raise Money. Our high school ministry had planned to do our yearly ‘Car Wash for A Cause’ this Saturday. Given the tragic events of yesterday, we have now decided to give a large portion of our fund raising to this cause. Whether it’s a car wash, a BBQ, or a spaghetti dinner, students are looking to do something tangible to help. While raising money, ensure you do your due diligence with who the funds will go to.

Finally, take some time to get your head around understanding this yourself. Below are a couple of helpful links to articles on tragedy and suffering:

Why Does God Allow Suffering by Lee Strobel

Suffering: Why Does God Allow It? Billy Graham

Join me in praying for all the families impacted by this disaster.

Phil <><

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But as for this school year, I wanted to take a little bit of a different approach. Not a huge change, just a few small & subtle differences that I think can make this night a huge hit:

1. We are letting go of the ownership: I had this idea to let the Seniors “own” this night. It’s a night for them, by them. It will be a Senior led band, Senior led game/announcements/host, a video that features all of the Seniors and edited by a Senior, as well as a Senior led message & testimony time. If it ends up going smoothly and there’s a huge impact, this may end up being something I do periodically in the future! The only part I’m holding onto is a little bit of administrative work, as well as closing remarks to all of the Seniors with encouragement.
2. We are redirecting the focus: In the past, this night has been a night FOR the Seniors. What I’m trying to leverage this year is the current Seniors’ experience that they can pour back into the younger kids. So, the message we’re doing is going to be called, “Let Me Tell You One Thing”, where we’re having 4 of our Seniors (chosen) share something they’ve learned that they’d love to share with everyone else! So, if they could tell a current 9^th grader ONE thing, what would it be? When I cast this vision to our Seniors, they were stoked about this opportunity!
3. We are broadening the “crowd:” Usually this night is a “normal” Axiom on Wednesday night where students come at the same time as usual and get the chance to honor the Seniors. What I’m doing this year is to leverage this important benchmark night by encouraging any or all of our parents (or Axiom supporters) to come out that night in support of the Seniors. So, if a 9^th grader’s parent comes out to check it out and sees the importance of being involved in a group like this, that’s a WIN! Or, if a church member who has no kids comes out to check out Axiom, and then becomes a huge supporter of Axiom in their words to others, that’s a WIN!

That’s what we’re doing this year for our 2013 Grads… What are you guys doing?

Kyle

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You can pick up her book at Simply Youth Ministry’s Website or at Amazon. 

Phil <><

1. It showed that I thought about them.  I had noticed all of the work they have been putting in lately and wanted to thank them for it.  It doesn’t have to cost a lot to convey your gratitude for their work, and the expense pays for itself with their renewed effort and energy.
2. It showed that I am willing to go out of my way for them.  Did I mention that we have differing theories of “good coffee” in our office?  To meet each of their coffee love languages I had to make separate stops at Starbucks (real coffee) and Dunkin Donuts (no accounting for taste).  They saw that they mattered enough for me to consider their likes and dislikes.
3. It provided an opportunity to talk and connect over something other than work.  After the triumphant presentation of the coffee we sat around for about 15 minutes just talking about our weekends.  There was no amount of work they could have accomplished in that 15 minutes that would have been more productive than the relational time we spent together.

These are three things that strengthen a team or staff without requiring abundant time, effort or resources.  Now for you it may not be coffee.  Figure out what works.  Take them out for lunch, a game of paintball, or pottery painting.  It really doesn’t matter how big or small it is.

Just do something that shows you are thinking about them, willing to go out of your way for them, and value them beyond the work they do.

The impact can’t be measured.  What are some ways you appreciate and connect with your staff?

John

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My feet hit the pavement that first day and it was almost laughable.  I walked more than I ran, my stride was heavy,  my lungs killed me and I am excruciatingly slow.   Still every day for 3 months now I have run some distance.  In this process the Lord has shown me some things:

1. Pace Yourself: I rarely start out strong. The first mile is when my lungs and muscles all seize.   Running up hill is literally a battle.   We can get bursts of energy, followed by a desire to quit.  The goal is to finish.  I learned to keep a pace that allows me to run, more than I walk, and keep on.
2. Keep Moving: Every runner talks about hitting a “wall.”  This is the point at which you have a choice to quit or keep going.  It is usually just beyond this point when a new surge of energy hits.  The Lord will do the work, he just doesn’t want us to give up.  His greatest desire is that we are ever moving towards him and his purposes.
3. It is entirely about the finish line. Today was race day.   The marathon commission had posted signs of inspirational quotes on the side of the road for motivation.  A  Chinese Proverb read,  “The Journey Is the Reward.” My immediate thought honestly, was, “That would be a disappointment.” We know Hebrews 12:1 tells us to run the race set before us with endurance.  However,  if it is merely about the journey we miss the point. We can keep persevering, because the finish line involves running into the arms of Jesus.
4. Running Makes You Want to Run. When I started training I had to overcome shin splints.  Then came learning to press through when my lungs feel like they might collapse. I hated it, but I felt compelled to keep running.  For each small accomplishment,  I have wanted to put another foot forward.  Sometimes life with Christ is hard.  The calling to ministry can be overwhelming.  At the same time being with Him makes me want to go on this road farther at His side.

Today as I crossed the finish line John looked at me and said,  “I have a feeling this race is the first of many .”  I turned to him and said,  “I think I could do a half-marathon next time.”  7 miles is the farthest I have ever run to this point in my whole life.  Did I mention I’m still not a runner?  I can’t deny when I run God is evident there with me.  I see Him in His creation as I pass by.  I feel him as the body he created is pushed to the limit.  I know He is near and it causes me to praise him.  Aren’t our actual races in life and ministry eerily similar?

How is your youth ministry race looking? What does your pace look like? What walls are you hitting? How are you staying focused on the finished line?

Leneita

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Recently I was asked to go on a mission trip to Guatemala with a team of adults. The cool thing about this experience is that its being led by our Senior Pastor, and he views this as an opportunity to disciple 20 or so people for a few months leading up to the trip. He is a strong leader who also has a strong heart, so I was excited to glean any insights I could from him in this process!

We had a meeting a couple of weeks ago and we were discussing a concept in the book “The Tale of Three Kings” by Gene Edwards. It brought us into a discussion about leadership, and how we can lead by faith (and trusting God) like David, or we could lead based on the “crowd”, like Saul, and what direction the crowd going. That REALLY caught my attention! I started to think about my own flaws as a leader who sometimes leads out of insecurities, and what effect that might have on the decisions I make as a Youth Pastor.

That’s a difficult question to answer: In what ways have I listened to what the crowd wants, instead of what God wants?

When it comes to working with students, there are a TON of pressures and different people in your ear telling you how to do your job; it could be parents, students, volunteers, co-workers, friends, critics, and plenty more! The fear I have is that sometimes I want to please everybody! But with the demands coming in all different directions, I know that its not easy to do that, probably impossible to please everyone, and I may be losing myself in the process. Have you ever felt like that?

The problem is that we can spend so much time trying to make everyone else happy and not to ruffle any feathers, that we can forget to pray and think about what’s best for moving students towards a relationship with Jesus.

The challenge I have been making for myself is this: whenever I’m faced with any sort of youth ministry dilemma about philosophy, discipleship, calendar planning, or others, I’m going to first consult God to see if He has a direction, or see where He may be telling us to STOP a certain part of our ministry. From there, I’m going to trust my instincts & training on the matter. And also, I do want to consult those who are close to me who can give me good feedback and thoughts. But my goal is not to be controlled by the crowd. Yes, I will listen to every thought/complaint/comment in a respectful manner, but I cannot continue to be ruled by those things.

Who do you trust? What voices or people are getting your attention?

Kyle

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Do you recall the story in Genesis 12 of “Abrams Call” by the Lord? God appears and tells him,  “Leave here and go to the place I take you.”   In my own head I have envisioned Abram packing up all of his belongings and family, then wandering around the desert until the Lord ambiguously shouts,  “STOP!”

In this interpretation of the story, I miss a couple of key ideas.  Abram held some great leadership qualities:

• Humility:  He was willing to admit at 75 years old he needed a change.
• Faithfulness:  He packed up everything an followed the Lord, no matter what.
• Integrity:  Abram struggled with this one from time to time.  What is important was his willingness to always refocus back on the Lord and his plan.
• A clear vision: We are told in verse 5 they set out for the land of Canaan.  He knew exactly where he was headed.

As I contemplate this thought it occurs to me that the ministry leader veterans I respect most have these same qualities.   While I admire those who can strategize and plan, the ones that exemplify this heart of this type of servant leader are the ones who I want to follow and emanate.

Eventually Abram would become Abraham.  It was in this moment He came to understand truly the depth of the calling on His life.    His calling became inspirational.  Beyond, just holding a set of qualities, in the same way my ministry veteran mentors have taught me to lead by asking these questions:

1. What is the vision God has given you? We learn like Abram to answer this question in three ways: our family,  our ministry,  our own life.
2. Will you dictate or lead? Dictators sit on a throne, telling everyone else what they should do for them.  Leaders get down with the people, guiding them toward the vision the Lord has cast.
3. Have you shared where you are going? We can say the goal is students to become “Fully devoted followers of Christ.”   I had a pastor who asked me,  “Well,  what does that mean?”  Be specific on what you are hoping the Lord will do in a student, share it with your team.  Constantly. What are the goals? Where is this promised land for our ministry? 

The names of pastors, mentors and ministry leaders come to mind as I ponder the leadership lessons most vital.  Above all an unwavering love for the Lord is what impresses me most.  Those who have had their eye on WHO He is, are the ones I my heart is most open to. As Abraham a faith like this caused a willingness to sacrifice his one and only son.  My prayer is that I might be willing to learn and grow from these and others always.

Who are the leaders who have impacted you? What are their stand out qualities?

Leneita

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Today, I want to share a key leadership lesson that has made a huge difference to me and the way I lead others in my ministry. Understanding and living out today’s leadership lesson from Byron is a foundational lesson for every leader. Failure to learn this lesson can be devastating…

I’ll never forget the question I once gave Byron in my early years of youth ministry. I will never forget the impact of his answer and exactly what it meant.

Me: Byron, how is it that students, volunteers, and parents are so attracted to your leadership? What makes you so magnetic? 

Byron: (Laughing hysterically), Ha! I’m so uncool, it makes me cool… 

Now, you might be reading this and wondering how this statement can be life altering and so impactful? Let me explain what Byron really meant by this statement. What he was actually saying was:

I’m so comfortable with who I am, people are attracted to my confidence in God’s unique identity for me… 

Again, you might wonder how I am able to take Byron’s statement and arrive at the statement above? You see, at the time Byron made this statement, he was in his fifties, had been in ministry for over twenty five years, and was clearly the older guy in the room. While many others were getting out of youth ministry, Byron continued to live and breath youth ministry and pour into younger leaders like me.

When he referred to being “uncool” I knew exactly what he meant. You see, Byron didn’t care about age or titles, he embraced his uniqueness of the day. While the students knew he was the older guy in youth ministry, they also saw his great confidence, great passion, and being completely secure in being the “uncool” older guy.

In our world today, people are drawn to leaders who are confident and comfortable in their unique identity. Yes, we will follow charisma and vision, but they will not follow insecurity for long. So often, because of insecurity, leaders will change who they are, and so often with devastating results:

• They compromise their ethics. 
• They try to be a friend to students instead of being a leader
• They promote themselves above Jesus
• They constantly play the comparison game and live a life of leadership inferiority
• They leave a ministry too early because they think they don’t have what it takes
• Their insecurity eats them alive and they dampen the growth of leaders around them

There are many I could add to this list, but I think you get the point. Again, the bottom line to all this is:

When we lead with confidence and assurance of our unique identity, people will follow us.

What’s your take away from this? How has insecure leadership impacted you? How have insecure leaders impacted you?

Phil <><

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Byron has an agressive form of brain cancer… His church (the same church I interned at with Byron), threw him a incredible celebration that he could enjoy and experience. As I considered what I would share at this celebration, it was not hard for me to focus on Byron’s standout quality as a leader. It’s a quality you and I should strive for, and one that you and I should ask God for.

People will follow a leader who lives out an audacious faith.

In our world today, we often over calculate and underwhelm what God wants to do through us. Instead of faith, fear can often drive our decisions and reasons for what we do in our ministries. If there is one thing I have learned from Byron, it is the way he lives an adventure of faith with his students and leaders…

While I described some of his ideas as “crazy” yesterday at his celebration, I have never forgotten his incredible belief to see me come from England to live in the United States… We had two months to pull together visa’s, tuition, a place to live, and transportation. (If you know anything about visa processes, you know it can take a long time and can be very frustrating). Byron did care about details like this, he just assumed God would come through… I remember thinking to myself,

“This crazy American actually thinks we’ll get all these details ironed out in two months… I know God is big, but…”

However, despite my cynical outlook, it was Byron’s audacious faith that inspired me to begin to glimpse and see God in a different way. Over four years of working alongside Byron, I found myself continuously challenged, inspired (and sometimes frustrated), by the way this man lived his faith adventure. As I watched his life closely, I saw others drawn to his audacious faith and his “let’s take on the world,” approach to ministry.

Youth ministry can be challenging and it’s easy to default to our well planned youth ministry skills and practices when we are trying to push people forward in their faith walk. However, I have seen first hand that people will take giant strides in their faith when they follow a leader with audacious faith.

It no longer is about careful calculation and precise practices, it becomes about a GREAT BIG GOD who brings life change.

Yesterday, minutes after speaking about this leadership quality I had learned from Byron, I received a call from a good friend who needed help. God reminded me of what I had just spoken about, and called me to drive a twelve-hour round trip to help a brother in need. I don’t share this example to say, “look at me.” I share this example to simply say, “look at Christ.” This is the way He led. This is the way we should lead.

What about you? As a leader, I urge you to consider your model to others. Do they see someone who is great and youth ministry practitioner, or do they see a leader with a wild and audacious faith that is magnetic and worth following?

The Key Question? Are we able to sincerely say, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ?” (1 Corinthians 11:1)? Now don’t get me wrong here, youth ministry has often been accused of not being planned and professional. I am not proposing we use audacious faith as an excuse to drop our plans and processes, for the Holy Spirit works in the planning just as much as he does in the last-minute changes and circumstances.

The big question is, are we leading people with an audacious faith that inspires them to grow in Christ and follow His example?

Phil <><

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