Category Archives: Leadership

College Football Playoff Chaos & Bible Reading

College Football & Scripture Reading
Posted on by

Have you noticed the chaos that followed the announcement by the College Football Playoff selection committee? One school feels snubbed, while the other feels like they deserve it. One group believes in their record, while the other claims that the playoffs are a mere invitational. No matter the committee’s decisions, someone was bound to be upset.

The truth is, it was doomed to fail from the beginning.

When you invite a group of people together to decide who is “most deserving” or “the best team,” you are bound to lose, and there are several reasons. One such reason is the subjective nature of the task. Who can really claim one team is more deserving? Perhaps we could stop right there and let that teach us something about ministry. Moving beyond subjectivity, I believe the number one reason that this was doomed to fail is because of the people involved.

When I say people, I do not mean the specific individuals on the committee. It is more about human beings being involved in the selection process.

Human beings carry all of themselves into every situation and conversation. You and I are a pool of our experiences, family of origin influence, culture, opportunities, struggles, preferences, and more. It is impossible to entirely remove the influence of these factors. The same is true about every person on that committee. Each person brings their own conference bias, playing experience, preferences, and more into the room. 

And here is the challenge for us: we all do the same thing.

This reality is particularly true when we read scripture. When you read a few verses, you read it as a person with presuppositions. All of your life influences the way you understand and interpret those verses. This dynamic is partly why two different people can read the same verse and come up with entirely different meanings.

As you can imagine, this creates a problem for us. This problem is especially true when preparing to teach a lesson, give a message, or write a small group study.

So, how do you read scripture as purely and accurately as possible, removing as many presuppositions as possible? How can we get as close as humanly possible to the original intent of the author?

I believe you can do this, and it is imperative that you learn how to do this as a leader in ministry. Your young people and families depend on us to learn these skills.

Finding The Intent In Scripture

Read the text carefully. 

When approaching a text, reading the selected text carefully is essential. You want to read it multiple times, preferably in a few different translations. 

As you read the passage, make notes. Are there interesting word choices, phrases, or movements that stand out to you? Who was named as present, or who was noticeably absent? Who is talking, and who are they talking with? What do you know about the audience present when Jesus was speaking?

Ask as many questions as possible about the text. The quality of your questions will often dictate the quality of your interpretation.

Consider the context. 

No story or statement in scripture comes from a vacuum. There is context around the story or statement. How did the crowd arrive where Jesus was? Why did Paul make that statement to that specific church?

First, consider the immediate context around the passage. What happens right before and right after your reading? Next, consider what happens in the larger context of the book. For instance, does this passage occur near the end of Jesus’ earthly life and ministry or the beginning? Finally, consider the reading in the larger context of the entire bible. 

Thinking about the context can help us understand clues about where the story has been and is going. The context can help us find reasons for the setting or understand the original audience’s motivations. And the context can help us hold our understanding up against the entire narrative of scripture.

Read the work of others. 

There are a lot of great writings out there by many different people. Read commentaries, articles, and other texts about your selected scriptures. 

You want to select readings from a variety of authors. Choose authors that are similar to your theological stance and those that differ. Be intentional about selecting works from authors who are different than you in as many ways as possible. The goal here is to gain as much variety of insight as possible. By accessing a wide variety of thoughts, you are taking a step toward reducing the influence of your presuppositions upon the interpretation.

Practice makes you better. 

In ministry, we get busy. Having enough time to engage in quality scripture reading can be challenging. This difficulty is true for our spiritual reading, which so many of us, myself included, need to work toward better habits. It is also true when it comes to attempting to understand the original intent of the author.

For some of us, this form of scripture reading feels daunting. I don’t believe this type of study is just for people who have gone to seminary. I believe you can do this work. So start small. Give it a try with a section of scripture. Perhaps where Jesus calms the storms or the feeding of the five thousand are good places to start. Regardless, give this type of work a try. Eventually, you will get fast, and your interpretations will become stronger.

One last note. College football is a mess right now. NIL has proven somewhat of a disaster, and the playoff structure is not working.

Sometimes, we can look at the church, which feels like a mess. We struggle with parents, young people, church leaders, boards, and other people or systems that make the church complicated. It can be disheartening at times. But maybe the mess we see in college football can remind us that it is not just the church. Every organization or group has things to wrestle through. The difference is that we have the most meaningful work for the most significant purpose.

Rev. Brian Lawson is the Director of Leadership Development and Client Services for YMI and has served in youth ministry since 2004. He also serves as a pastor in the Florida Conference of the UMC. Brian holds a Master of Ministry with a focus in organizational culture, team-based leadership, change, conflict, and peacemaking from Warner University. In addition to his degrees from Warner, he studied Christian Education at Asbury Theological Seminary. Click the social links below to engage with Brian.

Other Post Topics

Ministry Amidst Loss & Grief

Posted on by

Loss is a part of life. Whether it’s a pet, a family member, or a friend, we may find ourselves mourning someone we love while at the same time dealing with ministry responsibilities that need our attention. Being able to carry on in ministry amidst having to face loss and grief may seem impossible.

Sometimes, we have time to prepare ourselves for a loss. When I was a full-time Family Ministries Director, my 46 year old brother died after 3 long years with esophageal cancer. Our family had those years to consider his passing and then weeks to sit beside him, making his last days full of love and comfort. Other times, it’s an unpredictable, shocking event, as when our family had to help our beloved greyhound pass with only hours to prepare. When faced with grief, what things should we try to remember while it feels like our personal world stops and the rest of it keeps going?

Remember That There’s No Way Over, Only Through

“You’ll get over it soon.” 
“I’m surprised you’re still so sad, it’s been 6 months!”

With grief, there simply isn’t an end or an over. While the sharpness and weight of our loss may lessen, we will always miss the presence of who we’re grieving. Remembering that grief is necessary is important.

“Grieving is like breathing, but we act like we have to hold our breath – It’s a natural process and if you pretend like you don’t have to do it or that it doesn’t exist, you’ll end up choking or passing out.”

– Dr. Shatavia Alexander Thomas, AZ Therapist

Gently remind people who say well-intentioned phrases like the ones above that grief lingers because love lasts. Grief is individual yet universal – meaning we all experience it, but each in our own way. Additionally, mourning is not a set process. You may have heard of the 5 stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance; but most people don’t travel those steps in one straight line. We might traverse up and down those stages every other hour. All of this is normal and natural.

Remember To Let Others In

In your ministry role, it will be helpful to share your situation with trusted supervisors, co-workers, volunteers, and others. Doing this will help them understand that you’re entering a healing process. We don’t want to place a burden on students to manage our emotional reactions. In some cases, it’s absolutely appropriate to be vulnerable about the loss you’ve experienced, how it’s affected you, and the support you’re surrounded by. The young people in your ministry may surprise you with their compassion. You’ll also show them that we don’t have to carry our hardest moments alone. If people want to bring you dinner, cut your grass, take your kids to the park, or sit with you and look at photos of your loved one while you cry, say yes.

Remember To Get The Help You Need

Getting help might mean you delegate more ministry tasks than usual, or that you ask your volunteers and/or other staff to take over the heavy lifting. You could also consider keeping the ministry schedule temporarily light when you return to work. It may be helpful to allow your energy and focus to have some breathing room. Help can also take the form of seeking counseling in order to manage and express your emotions in a healing way.

I spoke with Emily Edwards, LCSW, (who was once a youth minister herself!), and she described what she and other mental health professionals see in their clients. “Many of us in the helping professions have carried grief with hurting people in our ministries. Our empathy for others can give us secondary trauma that will intensify our own grief events.” When this happens, we can move from Acute Grief – the time just following our own loss – into Complicated Grief. This phase is when our acute symptoms never seem to lessen or go away. A licensed therapist, counselor or psychologist can help us process the grieving journey into what is called Integrated Grief. This is a life-long stage in which a grieving person is dealing with the reality of their loss, and can cope with daily life. Be encouraged that seeking outside help with your grief is not a sign of weakness. It’s a strength that you trust in God and allow God’s people to help you.

Remember That Simultaneous Grief And Ministry Is Biblical

Who better to give us a practical example of ministry amidst loss and grief than Jesus, himself? In John 11 we learn about some dear friends of his, the siblings Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. When Lazarus dies, the sisters both approach Jesus and express their faithful expectations that if Jesus had only been nearer, their brother would not have died. Jesus grieves, comforts, and weeps with them, along with demonstrating his ministry and love by then raising Lazarus to life.

We may never be expected to resurrect a friend while we’re grieving. But it’s reassuring that even while we are mourning and it feels as if life is over, we still possess and can use the gifts God has given us in ministry.

Maresi Brown is the Administrator, Registrar, & Interview Specialist for Youth Ministry Institute. She spent nearly 20 years in ministry to young people and families at a United Methodist Church. Maresi is an avid knitter and resides in St. Petersburg, FL, with her husband, 3 kids, and Roo, the most adorable baby dog.

Other Post Topics

Preparing For A Successful Year – Four Tips

Preparing For A Successful Year
Posted on by

All around the country, folks are preparing for a successful new year of school. Buses are running their practice routes, schools are hosting open houses, and schedule change requests are pouring into guidance counselors.

A lot of action goes on at the beginning of the school year. And the same is true for us in ministry. Before we lose focus in the busyness, let’s get prepared.

You can start preparing for a successful year with these four tips.

Have a plan to communicate with parents.

How you communicate with the parents of young people in your ministry will often make or break their attendance. 

Consider how you will communicate your top-level announcements, such as when your Fall Retreat will occur. Top-level announcements can be shared via a printed calendar (for the entire Fall/Winter season), through monthly parent e-mails, in your church bulletin, or website. Top-level announcements contain information that individuals can use to make a decision about participation. For instance they can look at the retreat dates and decide if it works with their schedule.

Mid-level announcements get more specific. These announcements are audience focused. Mid-level may be the details of the Fall Retreat. Where will drop-off and pickup occur? How much spending money should their child bring? This information can go out in newsletters, but you will also want to communicate this information more directly to those participating in the activity.

Quick announcements are the final kind to consider. These are the announcements used to encourage last-minute participation or temporary changes to plans. Text messaging, social media, or phone calls are often the best mediums for this type of communication. Do you have a text message system or a way of collecting their phone numbers? Will you put young people on this text list also?

Create excitement for the mission within your volunteer team.

An old saying is, “Mission is like a balloon with a slow leak.” I have found this to be true. 

To help your team refocus around your mission, spend time together to go over the mission. But don’t just say the mission – make a game out of it. Write the mission statement on paper and cut it like a jigsaw puzzle. See how quickly volunteers can put the mission back together. Then, help them see a practical example of what it looks like for them to live out that mission in your ministry. Get them excited and involved in preparing for a successful year by actively honing in on the mission.

Engage with young people who are leaders.

Whether you call them student leaders or not, there are young people in your ministry that influence others. It may be a natural ability they have or respect given to them by their peers. Whatever the source is, build a relationship with them and help them see what you hope the ministry will look like this year.

For example, if one of these influencers buys into the idea of your ministry being a place where every person has a friend, they will help make that happen when they see a new person. They will either befriend the new person or encourage others to do the task. The quickest way to culture change in your ministry is through young people, not adults

Have a game plan for your spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical health.

I had a history of being one of the worst at caring for myself. I would get excited and ready to make a significant impact in the next season of ministry. So what would happen? I quickly forget about myself, leading to exhaustion and near burnout by the end of the season.

Over time I discovered that making a plan based on the season was helpful to me. For instance, I may say that I will intentionally schedule extra meetings for the next three months with people that refuel me. Or I may take a season of planning spare time to listen to podcasts. I always found mowing my yard was a good time for these podcasts. Whatever it may be, preparing for a successful year has to include a plan of how to take care of yourself in the next season. Be creative, have fun, and make it something enjoyable to you. Your health directly impacts those you serve.

I hope these spur on ideas on how you can have a great season of ministry this Fall. At Youth Ministry Institute, we are always rooting for you!

Rev. Brian Lawson is the Director of Leadership Development and Client Services for YMI and has served in youth ministry since 2004. He also serves as a pastor in the Florida Conference of the UMC. Brian holds a Master of Ministry with a focus in organizational culture, team-based leadership, change, conflict, and peacemaking from Warner University. In addition to his degrees from Warner, he studied Christian Education at Asbury Theological Seminary. Click the social links below to engage with Brian.

Other Post Topics

After The Program: What’s Next?

Posted on by

For many of us, VBS 2023 is over. We’ve loved seeing volunteers serve, loads of kids on campus, and many new faces. But I have to ask you, is it actually over? What’s next?

Whether you held a VBS, summer camp, or another outreach-oriented event this summer, the program’s conclusion is not the end. Now, I know you are tired. Your team is exhausted and ready to rest. So why would I tell you that your work is not finished? 

What you do after the program is as important, or even more than, the program itself.

You’ve had great encounters with new people, and you hope they walk away knowing the love of Jesus. Additionally, you probably also desire to see them again in your regular ministry gatherings. The work you do after the outreach event is what can help fulfill these hopes.

A few key ways you can do good work after VBS or other outreach events.

After the program: Consider personal encounters. 

How a person feels when interacting with you can make a big difference in whether they want to spend more time with you.

My kids participated in a VBS this week. Teenagers led their groups. This setup is common; you may even use this setup. When groups are set up this way, those children spend significant time with teenagers. They get to know them and look forward to seeing them the next day.

If this describes your setting, consider asking the group leaders (or any volunteer) who have spent time with the children to send personalized cards. You could even include a photo of the group leader with the child.

Why do this?

The goal here is to cultivate the relationship built and remind the young person that someone at your church knows and cares for them.

Curt Thompson says, “We all are born into the world looking for someone looking for us.” The same is true about any human being that participates in your programs. So make an extra effort to help them feel seen on and off campus. 

After the program, connect present experiences to the future.

You likely had a great time at your event. You may have had a song that was a big hit or a fun character on stage. Perhaps the young people went crazy over a game you played. These present experiences are excellent opportunities for the future.

So was there a particular activity, game, or character from your outreach that everyone loved? If so, communicate to those who attended your event that this beloved element will be at your next gathering. Connecting what they loved with what you will be doing next extends the present experience into the future.

A little side note, do not overuse that thing they loved. The saying, “leave them wanting more,” is true in this situation. If you play that unique game every week, it will quickly lose the uniqueness factor.

Communicate gratitude to volunteers, parents, and other staff members. 

You did not accomplish the event on your own. The best work we do involves teams of people working together. I imagine you will want their help in the future. Take this opportunity to express gratitude and communicate how their work supported your church’s mission. Above all, help them see that they were part of something bigger than themselves.

You’ve done good work this summer. Let’s continue that work by doing post-event ministry well. Did I miss anything? What would you add to this conversation? Rooting for you!

Rev. Brian Lawson is the Director of Leadership Development and Client Services for YMI and has served in youth ministry since 2004. He also serves as a pastor in the Florida Conference of the UMC. Brian holds a Master of Ministry with a focus in organizational culture, team-based leadership, change, conflict, and peacemaking from Warner University. In addition to his degrees from Warner, he studied Christian Education at Asbury Theological Seminary. Click the social links below to engage with Brian.

Other Post Topics

Am I Doing This Right?

Posted on by

There was a time when I wondered, “Am I doing ministry right?” This feeling went on for years.

Yes, I would feel good about events we were hosting, and sometimes I’d even feel good about a sermon, lesson, or small group. But, I still felt unsure whether I was doing ministry well.

Then one day, I learned something. I learned that there is a way to understand the impact we are making. There is a way to know if we are on the path to achieving our mission. Best yet, there is a way that I can help my volunteers feel successful in our ministry!

So what was it that I learned to help feel like we’re doing this right?

I learned to define the wins for the ministry I lead.

I learned how to communicate to my team, parents, students, supervisor, and other vital audiences exactly how to see the wins in our youth ministry. And once I did this, we began to become more focused and saw a dramatic difference in the engagement of our students.

If you’ve never defined achievable wins, here are a few tips on getting started.

First, think small. When we think about success, it can be easy to dream about lofty goals. We might want to say something like, a young person will feel called into ministry once a month. While this would be a beautiful outcome, it isn’t necessarily a win that will lead you to recognize each step to achieve that goal.

For instance, for a young person to feel called into vocational ministry, they likely first need to have a faith experience with Jesus. Additionally, they will need time to cultivate a prayer life, both speaking and listening. Also, how do they know what vocational ministry looks like? Have they have never been exposed to it through an internship, service, or learning opportunity?

By thinking small, you make it possible to design a roadmap toward the ultimate outcome you hope to achieve. So what would be an achievable win in this situation? One example might be, “A win is when a young person participates in our leadership learning summer group.”

Second, consider wins that volunteers can own. For instance, a win for a small group leader might be each time they call a parent to brag about that family’s young person. When small group leaders call parents with positive words of affirmation, it helps foster a positive relationship with the parents. 

These are just two ideas that go into creating wins for your ministry. If you want to feel good about the direction of your ministry and want volunteers to stay motivated, consider defining your wins. You might start to finally say, “Hey, I am doing this right!” What tips would you add to this list? We’re rooting for you, ya’ winners!

Rev. Brian Lawson is the Director of Leadership Development and Client Services for YMI and has served in youth ministry since 2004. He also serves as a pastor in the Florida Conference of the UMC. Brian holds a Master of Ministry with a focus in organizational culture, team-based leadership, change, conflict, and peacemaking from Warner University. In addition to his degrees from Warner, he studied Christian Education at Asbury Theological Seminary. Click the social links below to engage with Brian.

Other Post Topics

Creative Options For Continuing Education

Creative Options For Continuing Education
Posted on by

If you’re one of the Youth, Children’s, or Family Ministers out there whose church provides funding for continuing education, you might think big conferences are the only way to use that money. Those events can be so fun, impactful, and energizing to your ministry! Often, however, you’ll also need travel funds, hotel reservations, ride-share costs, and more that makes attending seem out of reach.

Or, you might be someone whose ministry budget is too small for a big conference. So, you are looking for something that you can either encourage your church to pay for, or that you can invest in on your own. We’re here to help you with creative, relatively inexpensive options to make the most of your desire to grow in your skills and abilities by using whatever continuing education funds you have accessible to you.

Creative Continuing Education Option One

It’s not a fun topic – but do you know the signs and symptoms of child abuse and neglect? In many states, all persons who have responsibility for minors in a capacity like church or parachurch ministry have an ethical and legal obligation to report suspected abuse/neglect. Protecting the vulnerable people in our care is an essential part of ministry. 

Take a look at your state’s Department of Children and Families resources. In Florida, for example, anyone can access their course free of charge, at any time. The materials cover the signs of abuse, the ways to respond, and to whom we should report our suspicions. You can also gather resources to share with families to help prevent abuse in the first place. We should ensure that ministry programs will be the most obvious possible place for children and youth to find a safe haven should they be abused and/or neglected.

Continuing Education Option Two

Another skill set that we hope to never use, but is smart to have, is CPR and First Aid Training. Accidents and medical emergencies can happen anywhere, and ensuring you are prepared can make a huge difference in the outcome. 

You can search “CPR First Aid Training Near Me” and find an array of training options. The Red Cross typically holds classes often and works to make their training affordable. You’ll learn what items to have on hand for incidents, how to get help quickly, and how you can potentially save a life. Don’t forget Infant CPR certification for your nursery workers! 

Creative Continuing Education Option Three

Ever find yourself wondering just WHY the children and youth in your programs act the way they do? If you entered ministry directly or from another career field, you may be missing important pieces of the puzzle. Consider registering for a child psychology or human growth/development course. Taking courses like these, either at a local college or university, or online, can open a crucial window into the ways young people develop. Spending your continuing education funds on this option can also help you minister to the grown ups in the lives of your young people. It’s a fact that partnering with them will deepen the connections in your faith community. 

Creative Continuing Education Option Four

Are you feeling like you’re stuck in your leadership growth? Do you feel like you’re lacking confidence? Teaming up with a trusted mentor, such as a Youth Ministry Institute Coach, may be the spark that lifts you out of this spot. A coach encourages you to unlock more of your potential. One on one coaching provides connection with a minister who’s been at this stuff for a while. They understand your needs and concerns in a unique way. The best part of coaching is that it can last for as long as you need. Coaching is unlike a one-time conference, it’s a long-term commitment to your development as a Youth or Children’s Minister. 

You Are Worth The Investment

Whether your budget is large or small, you (and your team!) are worth the investment of continuing education. We hope these options open up access for you to pursue avenues to success as a Children’s, Youth, or Family Minister. 

Do you have other creative ways to spend those continuing education funds, or options for free/low cost ways to broaden the skills you bring to your ministry? Tell us in the comments below.

Maresi Brown is the Administrator, Registrar, & Interview Specialist for Youth Ministry Institute. She spent nearly 20 years in ministry to youg people and families at a United Methodist Church. Maresi is an avid knitter and resides in St. Petersburg, FL, with her husband, 3 kids, and 2 dogs.

Other Post Topics

Oversharing In Ministry: The Shocking Truth – Are You Guilty?

Posted on by

Matt, who had been serving as a summer youth ministry intern, was excited to share a devotion with his middle school group. It started strong, but as he began to share about a relationship that had ended just a few weeks earlier, he began crying. His cry was not just a little crying but a full-on sobbing type. The middle schoolers felt for him and even showed him great empathy. But the devotional stopped short of Scripture reading, prayer, or even understanding where God was in Matt’s story. 

It wasn’t bad that Matt shared a painful place in his life. The trouble was that he was still living this part of his story. Matt hadn’t reached a place where he could share coherently. Where God was moving in his life was missing in Matt’s story. 

Matt had fallen into the oversharing trap.

Do you know the balance between transparency and oversharing in ministry? Do you know why transparency matters? And have you seen the pitfalls of oversharing?

The Pitfalls of Oversharing In Ministry

At times oversharing can be driven by a desire for sympathy or attention. And the truth is, you may really need someone to empathize with you.

You may feel tired, overworked, or burdened as a leader, so we share our struggles to elicit sympathy. However, this oversharing is ultimately selfish and may not be conducive to building trust and credibility with the young people we serve. 

It is crucial to recognize when we need support. Having appropriate spaces, such as friends, counselors, mentors, or coaches, to share our challenges helps us be the healthiest versions of ourselves. And being healthy makes it possible for us to challenge unhealthy motives for sharing.

Age-Appropriate Sharing

Another aspect of oversharing in ministry is sharing without considering the developmental stages and needs of the young people we serve. It is essential to exercise caution and wisdom when deciding what aspects of our lives to share with young people.

Failing to recognize the appropriateness of our sharing can lead to upset parents and strained relationships. Had Matt gone into further details about his relationship, we may have gotten phone calls from angry youth group parents. Therefore, it is crucial to carefully evaluate our audience’s age and developmental stage before deciding what to share.

Sharing in Challenging Seasons

During times of personal crisis, we may feel compelled to share our experiences and struggles with young people. But you should ask yourself whether you can communicate coherently and have had adequate time to reflect on God’s movement in those spaces. 

Sharing with young people may not achieve the desired outcome when we are still in a painful situation. While it can elicit sympathy and build relationships, it may not be healthy for the spiritual development of young individuals. In such situations, seeking support and leaning on others while being cautious about oversharing is essential.

The Power of Authenticity and Transparency

Finding the balance of transparency and sharing the right amount can deepen our ministry relationships. It invites others into the story God is writing in our lives. Transparency helps build trust with those we serve, which is vital in guiding young people in their faith journey. Authenticity involves being brave enough to be ourselves and genuine enough to live according to our values.

As youth and children’s ministers, we should share appropriate aspects of our lives with our communities. Volunteers need to see that our families are real and our homes are not always perfect. Young people need to hear about our moments of doubt and struggle with our faith. Those in our ministry should witness the highs and lows of our lives, as this cultivates trust and relatability. At the same time, we need to be sure to share appropriately.

Transparency and authenticity are powerful tools that help guide and inspire others on their faith journey. So how do you use them well? In what ways do you avoid the pitfall of oversharing in ministry?

Rev. Brian Lawson is the Director of Leadership Development and Client Services for YMI and has served in youth ministry since 2004. He also serves as a pastor in the Florida Conference of the UMC. Brian holds a Master of Ministry with a focus in organizational culture, team-based leadership, change, conflict, and peacemaking from Warner University. In addition to his degrees from Warner, he studied Christian Education at Asbury Theological Seminary. Click the social links below to engage with Brian.

Other Post Topics

Maximizing Summer Ministry: Rest or Ramp Up?

beach supplies on a summer day.
Posted on by

Many of us will wrap up our school year within the next few weeks. I have always appreciated the transition into summer ministry because it brings a different pace. The opportunities we have in the summer create a rhythm that is unattainable during the school year.

Over my time in ministry, I have approached the summer with two entirely different philosophies. Philosophy one is drastically less programming and more avenues for relational connections with young people and their families. Philosophy two increases opportunities for young people to engage in ministry programming.

Two Philosophies For Summer Ministry

Less Activity, Big Impact

Philosophy one began from a place of needing rest. The truth is that we ask a lot of our volunteers. Volunteers likely have full-time jobs, families, and many other responsibilities that demand their attention and time. And let’s be honest, volunteering every week for an entire school year is a lot to ask of them. In the context of a small ministry, when your volunteers are one of your greatest assets, reducing your programming during the summer may be one of the best moves you can make. 

Here are a few ideas for you if this is your philosophy:

Give volunteers the summer off. Let them know they are invited, but your top priority is that they are ready and energized for the fall.

Schedule easy options that encourage relationship-building among young people. These can look like you and another adult meeting young people at Chick-fil-a for lunch, followed by a movie or putt-putt.

Use your downtime to work on the stuff many of us hate, administration. During this season, you can re-work your student leadership applications, policies, handbooks, communication strategies, and more. You likely have more breathing room than you do in October. So use that time to make your life easier later.

Rest, rest, rest. Let me say that again, find ways to rest. Summer can create an excellent space for us to find physical, emotional, and spiritual rest. 

Greater Activity, Big Impact

Philosophy two arose from a growing ministry I saw as having expanded opportunities. We experienced great success in the school year, and the team felt energized to keep moving forward. The tension was this, my team and I still needed rest. So how do I help the team feel a positive movement forward, capitalizing on the trend we are experiencing, while also making space for rest? Within these tensions, I developed a plan to alleviate some work from myself and the volunteers.

Youth Ministry Certification interest image

Here are a few examples of what this philosophy looked like in the ministry I served: 

Create multiple low-risk, low-cost, and high-potential gatherings. These gatherings were highly focused on our missional purpose. One example would be opportunities to serve within the local community for a day, afternoon, or even a few hours.

Integrate leadership development for the next school year into your activities. For us, this meant creating Leadership Labs designed to give students basic leadership fundamentals and expose them to what it looks like to serve in student leadership.

Develop an internship program. The intern does not mean free labor. A good internship should provide housing, pay, and professional growth opportunities. We required reading and reflection. It also meant that I allowed interns to own pieces of the program. The ownership gave them space to grow and learn while also allowing me to focus my attention elsewhere.

Finally, rest was still essential, but it looked different. In my first philosophy, I rested throughout the summer. In this philosophy, rest was scheduled for the final weeks of summer before the school year began. We would have zero programming for the last two weeks of summer.

Now, these are only two possible philosophies for your time this summer. There are other options and many more variations. The key is understanding what your volunteers need, what you need, and what will help the ministry you serve the most next school year. Learn to balance these three things in a healthy way, and you’ll reap significant benefits.

So how will you spend your summer? What will the youth or children’s ministry you serve look like in the coming weeks?

Rev. Brian Lawson is the Director of Leadership Development and Client Services for YMI and has served in youth ministry since 2004. He also serves as a pastor in the Florida Conference of the UMC. Brian holds a Master of Ministry with a focus in organizational culture, team-based leadership, change, conflict, and peacemaking from Warner University. In addition to his degrees from Warner, he studied Christian Education at Asbury Theological Seminary. Click the social links below to engage with Brian.

Other Post Topics

Hiring: Four Ways Your Interviews Can Be Better

Posted on by

Have you ever sat in bad interviews? These happen all the time in our churches. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

As a church, finding the right person to lead your Youth or Children’s Ministry is crucial to the spiritual growth and development of the young members of your congregation. The interview stage is one common area where churches make mistakes in their hiring process. Often it is a hiring team, made up of volunteers with perhaps a staff member or two, that is asked to host quality interviews. And even worse, they are often not prepared with the best questions, understanding of the role they are looking to fulfill, and how to interview in a professional and consistent manner.

We believe conducting effective interviews is a critical step in the hiring process to ensure you select the best candidate for the role. Here are four ideas on how your church can conduct interviews well and make a wise hiring decision.

Four Ways To Better Interviews

Clearly Define the Job Description and Expectations

Before starting the interview process, it’s essential to have a well-defined job description and clear expectations for the role of your church’s Youth or Children’s Minister. This includes outlining the position’s responsibilities, qualifications, and desired skills. Be sure to communicate this information to potential candidates before the interview so they clearly understand what the role entails. During the interview, ask specific questions about the job description to assess the candidate’s suitability for the position.

Free Interview Questions Download

Assess Cultural Fit and Passion for Ministry

In addition to evaluating the candidate’s qualifications and experience, assessing their cultural fit with your church’s values, mission, and vision is essential. Youth and Children’s Ministers play a vital role in shaping the spiritual lives of young people and their families, so it’s crucial to find someone who shares your church’s beliefs and values.

Ask questions that help you understand the candidate’s personal faith journey, passion for ministry, and alignment with your church’s core values. Assessing cultural fit and passion for ministry will ensure that the candidate is qualified and a good fit for the unique needs of your church’s Youth or Children’s Ministry.

Utilize a Structured Interview Process

Having a structured interview process is crucial to ensure consistency and fairness in evaluating candidates. Develop a list of relevant interview questions that assess the candidate’s skills, experience, and suitability for the role. (We’ve created a free resource with some of the best questions you can ask in your interview.)

Consider including behavioral-based questions that ask the candidate to provide specific examples of how they have handled situations in the past. This can help you assess their problem-solving skills, leadership style, and ability to handle challenging situations that may arise in a Youth or Children’s Ministry setting. Utilize a scoring system or evaluation rubric to assess each candidate’s responses and qualifications objectively. (Did you know we help our Hiring Services clients develop their rubric and teach them to use it effectively? We’d love to help you in your search!)

Involve Multiple Stakeholders in the Interview Process

Involving multiple stakeholders in the interview process can provide a well-rounded perspective on the candidate’s suitability for the role. This can include members of the church leadership team, current Youth or Children’s Ministry volunteers, parents, and other relevant staff members. Each stakeholder can bring a unique perspective and evaluate the candidate based on their specific area of expertise or stage of life. Collaboratively discussing the strengths and weaknesses of each candidate can help your church make a more informed hiring decision.

Conducting interviews for your church’s Youth or Children’s Minister is a critical step in the hiring process. By clearly defining the job description, assessing cultural fit and passion for ministry, utilizing a structured interview process, and involving multiple stakeholders, your church can conduct interviews well and make a wise hiring decision that aligns with your church’s vision and values. Remember to pray for guidance and discernment throughout the process, seeking God’s wisdom in selecting the right person to lead your church’s Youth or Children’s Ministry.

Other Post Topics

VBS Tips for First Timers

VBS Tips for First Timers
Posted on by

Love it or loathe it, Vacation Bible School looms on our advance planning calendar.

Maybe you’re new to ministry altogether. Perhaps you’re one of the first timers at the VBS helm, desperate for tips, and don’t even know where to begin. At some churches, VBS is a major outreach event, and for others, it’s a simple fun addition to the young people’s ministry schedule.

Regardless of where your church is on that spectrum, summer will careen towards us faster than we want to admit. If you’re the ministry staff person or volunteer leader who’ll be taking on this incredible opportunity of VBS as a first timer, let’s look at some tips.

VBS First Timers Tip #1: Where’s Your Team?

If you’re new to this role, you might want to jump in and prove yourself as super human, thinking you can get this task done on your own. Look, there’s lots of room for differences of opinion in ministry. But, can I just unequivocally tell you that attempting VBS solo is a massive mistake? You physically, spiritually, and logistically cannot be in more than one place at a time. Gather your trusty crew and sit down with them.

You might need to plan the when/where of your VBS according to the team’s availability. For instance, there could be more volunteers free at night, rather than during a weekday morning. Don’t have a crew? Well, don’t just depend on a bulletin blurb to bring them running. Personal request is the number one way to increase the team. Be looking now for people who are great at décor, and folks who have cheerful hospitality pouring out of them. Find the musicians, the teachers, the members of the craft circle – cast a wide net! If they haven’t served at VBS, they’re totally missing out.

They don’t even have to love spending time with children. There’s always a task that can be done beforehand or behind the scenes. And don’t forget to include the teens of your church – their creativity and energy will be a huge boost for your VBS squad.

VBS First Timers Tip #2: What’s Your Theme?

Many publishing houses are producing incredible packaged Vacation Bible School kits. There are the big name, all-inclusive ones that it seems like everyone in town is using. Lately, there are newer companies who are bringing new methods and ideas to the table. An additional consideration: some cost hundreds just for the basic kit, and others are completely free. Or, you and your team might have a flood of inspiration and want to create your own entirely!

To help choose, I highly recommend asking your peers what’s worked for them, as well as spending time personally researching the theological concepts that are presented. Don’t forget, you can take the building blocks of a packaged set and adapt it for your own context, needs, and theological traditions. Having your team work on this choice with you can help keep momentum and excitement going as your plans take shape.

VBS First Timers Tip #3: How Much Green?

Ok, so you caught me trying to be clever and rhyming my tips for VBS First Timers. I’m talking about how each church has its own budget, which for Vacation Bible School might be $0, might be $500, or it might be $50,000. Some churches have historically charged a fee to attend, and others do it for free. Having spent most of my years in ministry working with next to no funds available for VBS, I promise it can be done, and done well, with very little money. We also never charged participants a fee.

Having budget information helps you determine just how much work you can outsource (i.e., purchasing the merch, craft kits, décor, lesson materials, etc. from the publisher) versus how much you’ll have to creatively work on with the team. Be sure you know what you’re working with before you place that giant and expensive order full of flashy stuff. If you’re short on funds, make a master list of what you need, and what you think would be nice to have. Throw open every closet door in the building to hunt for materials. (Why does every church seem to have storage to explore?) Then, make specific requests to your congregation to gather the rest.

And Tip #4: What Does Your VBS Mean?

Individually, and as a team, spend some time in thought about why your ministry is doing Vacation Bible School. Are you hoping to reach new people in your community? Is the primary purpose to remind the young people who come about Jesus’ love for them? Will VBS be a chance to serve families in your area, providing them with a safe, loving, and fun experience to bring their children to in the summer time? It might be all those things! Remembering the purpose of your event helps keep your expectations reasonable, and gives you goals to shoot for. Also, this clarifies the way you’ll communicate information to the people you want to come.

As a member of the VBS First Timers club, these tips may not be something you’ve considered. Don’t be afraid as a first timer leading Vacation Bible School. Sure, by the end of the week you’ll be exhausted; yes, the songs will get stuck in your head for months; sure, you might end up eating “Lydia’s purple cloth” made out of dried fruit for dinner… but it’s also an exhilarating and unique chance to feel Jesus working through you as you share God’s love with kids.

Maresi Brown is the Administrative & Interview Specialist for Youth Ministry Institute. She spent nearly 20 years in ministry to young people and families at a United Methodist Church. Maresi is an avid knitter and resides in St. Petersburg, FL, with her husband, 3 kids, and 2 dogs. You can connect with Maresi at the social media below.

Other Post Topics