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5 WAYS TO STAY HOPEFUL, FRUITFUL, AND PRODUCTIVE IN SOCIAL DISTANCING MINISTRY

5 Ways to Stay Hopeful, Fruitful, And Productive in Social Distancing Ministry
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Whether you are serving in youth ministry, children’s ministry, or family ministry, you are now doing ministry differently. The challenges are the same that we face, but each of us is experiencing this time a little differently. Some of us are excited about the opportunity to experiment. There are those of us who are overwhelmed with anxieties. Many of us are missing the face to face interactions with our kids and students.

 

One challenge that we are all facing is – boundaries.

 

Our new ministry environment, combined with working from home and social isolation, is a perfect storm for failed boundaries that lead to increased depression. We in ministry must always have healthy boundaries. I would argue that those boundaries are now no longer helpful but rather are a necessity.

 

Here are five ideas to help you stay hopeful, fruitful, and productive.

 

5 Ways to Keep Healthy Boundaries in Social Distancing Ministry

 

Create A Designated Work Space

 

Working for the home can be an exciting and even novel idea at first. Who doesn’t want to work in their PJs? The reality is that the novelty wears off after a day or two.

 

When you work from home, you are always at work. In your living room, you could be working. Reading your child a bedtime story, you technically could still be at work.

 

If at all possible, set up a space that is your workspace. Space where you can walk in with the mindset that you will get work done. The best part of a designated workspace is this; when you leave that space, you have left work.

 

You do not need a huge, fancy area. A spare bedroom or corner of a room will work just fine. The point is this – you need a place to begin and a place to leave your work.

 

Set Digital Alarms

 

If space is challenging for you to find, or if you have trouble leaving that workspace, then consider alarms.

 

Allot yourself the hours you will work and set alarms. Maybe you set one alarm at Noon for lunch and another at 1 pm. Give yourself a full hour for lunch – do not cut your lunch short.

 

Use your alarms as a way to help your mind shift in focus. When an alarm goes off, telling you it is time to quit, then be done with work. Trust Jesus in this moment. God is still at work even when you need to take a break.

 

Find A Rhythm

 

With everything in the world feeling so out of control, give your day a sense of order and control. Consider developing a rhythm for your day.

 

Wake up and get ready. Be sure to shower, get dressed, and do everything you need to do to feel prepared for a productive day. Walk your dog in the morning and the evening, schedule your exercise and your meals. Spend time investing your spiritual life.

 

Getting fully ready and creating a sense of control in your day will help you stay motivated, positive, and keep you from mindlessly scrolling all day on social media.

 

Stop Comparing

 

Can I be real honest for a moment? Your production level on Instagram Live, Facebook Live, or Zoom means less to your students, kids, and families than you realize.

 

A fancy game might feel great. A well-run Zoom gathering helps. Yet these pale in comparison to opportunities for genuine connection in these times.

 

Most of us do not serve churches with large budgets, fancy technology, and production staff members. It doesn’t take long to browse Facebook groups to see people setting up elaborate computer and streaming setups. That’s great, but it can be expensive and costs you a lot of time. Knowing what these larger churches are doing can make us feel guilty for not creating such extensive setups.

 

You are already spending a lot of time doing usual sermon prep, but now you add video editing, digital game prep, and communicating the many Zoom meeting invitations.

 

Produce the best you can and stop comparing to everyone else in these Facebook groups. Your students, kids, and families value you more than any production.

 

Produce what you can, love with all you’ve got, and believe that the Holy Spirit is working through you.

 

Be Gentle With Yourself

 

You are probably working more now than ever. You probably miss your kids, students, and families. You may even miss your friends and family.

 

Some of us feel overwhelmed by the weight of the current situation while also wondering if we will continue to be employed by our churches in a few weeks. Friends, you are carrying a heavy weight. Be gentle with yourself. Give yourself the grace that you are likely extending to others.

 

Do what you can, any way you can, and believe that it is enough. Jesus is working, and you are participating.

 

In case no one has told you, you are doing a good job. Keep up the excellent work. We, at the Youth Ministry Institute, are rooting for you! We believe in you. Now, be gentle with yourself and trust that God is working through 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.

7 Ways To Minister In Times Of Social Distancing

woman thinks about ministry in times of social distancing.
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You are in social distancing, so should ministry stop? Absolutely not! Here are 7 ways to minister in times of social distancing.

 

Share Joy

 

The air is heavy, and people are feeling many emotions. Share joy with them during this time!

 

Find videos, photos, memes, or other things that can bring laughter, joy, and smiles into the lives of those in your sphere of influence. Share these via text messages, social media, or emails.

 

Please do not share memes, videos, or jokes about Covid-19. You do not know the many ways this situation is impacting their family. Instead, use things from your ministry, cute puppies, or The Office. Help them focus on other things and do not make jokes about the current situation.

 

Comedic relief can bring great joy in even the darkest moments. Use this as a way to minister to students, parents, and your leaders.

 

Host an Online Leader Gathering

 

Many of your leaders may be off work or bored at home. Host an online leader gathering for your people.

 

During your time together, talk about personal things, share about how they can minister during this time, or play a game with them. Give your leaders a sense of community when everything else around them is taking their community away.

 

Hangout With Students But Not In Person

 

Why not hang out with students but not in person? There are many ways that you can connect with students today.

 

Send students personalized text messages. Let them know that you have not forgotten them and that even when they feel alone, they are never alone.

 

Call your students! Yes, call them. It seems weird, and it may be awkward, but give them a good old fashioned phone call.

 

Use Google Hangouts, Skype, or Zoom to video call several students at once. Most of these services are free and can 10+ people on the call. Why not play a game with them? Pull out the classic games and conversation starters like Two Truths and A Lie, Never Have I Ever, or Good Thing, Bad Thing.

 

Reach Out To Parents

 

Reach out to parents through phone calls, text messages, or emails. Parents are wrestling with their emotions in the midst of what feels like chaos.

 

Set up a video conference for the parents in your ministry. Share ideas of activities the family can do to bond during this time. Share with them questions you hear students asking right now. Just provide a space for them to hear from you as a leader and to air out their concerns.

 

You can be a support for parents, and in return, you will gain allies.

 

Inspire Your Sphere of Influence

 

Use this time to inspire your sphere of influence. Share daily devotions through text messages or social media.

 

Film or live stream yourself giving a message that you planned to share at your next group meeting. Instagram Live is a great way to do this because it is free, and many students will receive a notification that you are live. You may even be able to host an answer and question time this way.

 

Whatever you do, try to give space for interaction. Encourage students to share video responses to your devotions or messages. Ask them to answer your questions in the comments section.

 

Technology has given us many ways to engage our sphere, so use it to inspire them.

 

Invest in the Ministry

 

Social isolation can be an opportunity for you to invest in the ministry.

 

Spend time preparing lessons in advance. Work on your fall retreat ideas. Plan out your games or leader schedules.

 

Take time to evaluate the past year of ministry. Are you working towards your mission? Are there areas that are not moving towards your purpose? What adjustments should you consider next year?

 

Alone time is an excellent opportunity to look at the big picture of your ministry. Use this extra time wisely and strategically by planning and evaluating your past.

 

Invest in Your Spiritual Growth

 

We, as leaders, often fail at investing in ourselves. Use this time to invest in your spiritual growth.

 

Read a book that challenges you. Study an entire book in the Bible. Spend extra time in prayer. Participate in an activity that refuels you. Exercise.

 

You are being forced to pull away from others socially, so why not spend extra time with Jesus. Your growth during this time will help you better minister through the chaos and after the storm.

 

Ministry doesn’t have to stop because of social distancing. We need to consider doing things differently than usual. Who knows, maybe you will discover these new ways can be used even during regular times of ministry!

 

Stay well, friends!

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.

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WHY AND HOW TO BEGIN A YOUTH PASTOR NETWORK

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You are a rare breed. Not many people would give up their Saturday to spend it with middle school students, especially when a student tries to give you a muddy hug after they have whizzed down the giant slip-n-slide!

You see, youth ministry seems a little off. Most people lack an understanding of what we do. It seems ludicrous to many of our more civilized adult friends. 

As a person of a rare breed, you need to develop a community with people who get “it.” After all, do you expect your lawyer friend to understand Noodle Hockey?

When you need community with others of an uncommon breed, find a youth pastor network. If there isn’t one around you, start one! If you don’t know where to begin, here are some thoughts.

HOW TO START A YOUTH PASTOR NETWORK

Don’t ask for permission. 

As Bob Goff says in his book Love Does, too often we wait for others to give us permission. 

Say this out loud, “I do not need permission to start a youth pastor network.” 

Feel better?

Don’t wait for someone else. The only qualifications for this role are that you are part of the rare breed, and you desire community with others.

Geographical location may matter the most.

You can create your network around anything. You may start a group based on denominations, experience level, gender, or even convenience. 

Any of these would work well, but I believe the best thing to build your network around is your geographical location. 

When you are near each other, everyone will be more likely to attend often and consistently. Closeness allows you to develop connections with people near you, who are outside of your church. 

Commit to who you already have.

Start with one or two people that you already know. You may not know many people to join your network, but you may know a few. Start with them.

The size of the network does not indicate quality. Start small and be consistent with your group.

Make the calls or send the e-mails.

Without work, you cannot expect people to show up to your group. You and your early members need to start by doing some groundwork. 

Look up the websites of churches in your area and find the staff page. Send e-mails or make phone calls to any youth pastor you can find.

You may only get a few responses, but remember, size does not indicate quality. And know this, recruiting for your group will be a constant for your group. 

Encourage a culture of recruitment in your group.

Recruiting for your network never stops. People move in and out of roles. Someone who is part of your group this year may be at a different church next year.

Recruitment for your group should never stop and should become a goal of all members of the network.

YOU NEED A NETWORK

Friends, you need a network of people who understand you. You need a group of people who can challenge you and encourage you. We all need people who get us, care for us, and give us a place to not be “on” the job. 

So go out and find your network. If one doesn’t exist, start one. I believe you can do this and am excited for you to begin.

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.

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5 LEADERS YOU NEED ON YOUR TEAM

5 Leaders You Need On Your Team
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You know that you need a team of leaders. To get this team, you will have to recruit people. It is probably not too far of a stretch to think that you want your team to be a strong team.

So you need a team, and you want quality leaders. I wonder, though, have you ever considered what type of leaders you need?

If you take some time to think about the type of leaders you need, your recruitment efforts have focus. By defining the kind of leader you are seeking, you can be more focused in your search and your ask.

So here is a list of five types of people you may want to add to your team.

The Writer.

You know the feeling that you experience when an Amazon package arrives. Or really when you receive anything other than a bill! Students are the same.

I once had a writer that sent the best notes. Her cards and letters made you feel as though you were the most important person in the world!

Students love cards. Cards remind them that they matter. Cards speak of belonging. Cards tell students that you love them even when they are not at church.

Find someone who will handwrite cards and mail them to your new students, your missing students, for special occasions and even just random notes to students. The best part, your writer could be a retiree or someone who cannot volunteer during your regular youth gatherings.

The Energizer.

Student gatherings need some level of positive energy. Some would call this the “craziness” factor.

Some of us are full of energy, and others are not. That is when we call up the volunteer full of energy. You know this volunteer. It is the person that can make any game exciting. It is the leader that will get the wave going. Or the volunteer that shouts louder than your youth room music when they see a student walk in the room.

The energizer volunteer matters. They bring joy and excitement to the room. These volunteers help you create an environment that feels full of life and vitality- students crave these sort of places.

The Organizer.

Some of you know you need this volunteer. You struggle maintaining medical forms, or an accurate database of your students. You love teaching, preaching, or games, but you can’t stand the thought of organizing music folders.

The organizer helps to keep you on track, makes your team and ministry run better, and helps your ministry gain trustworthiness from parents.

The Risk Manager.

Yes, those of us in youth ministry need to be concerned about safety. I once had a team member who worked in risk management for major corporations. He was a great leader and asset to the team.

Risk managers help you consider things you may not have otherwise. They also help keep you safe, your team safe, and any student safe who participate in your program. You may not have thought of this, but the risk manager can keep you and your ministry moving forward in the healthiest way possible.

The Musical One.

For some of you, this one is obvious. You may not have any training or musical ability, so of course, you would want someone to help your students worship through music.

Or are you the person who already can play the guitar, piano, or even didgeridoo? You may be able to help students explore their gifting in music. The question is, should you?

Just because you can, does not mean you should.

Finding a musically talented leader allows students to have an additional adult speaking into their life. This leader will also make it possible for you to be in other places, focusing on other vital aspects of ministry.

Finally, giving away things always makes you, your team, and ministry stronger.

You may need one, two, three, or even all of these leaders on your team. You may also have ideas about other types of leaders that you need. Regardless, you need a team. Teams make you and your ministry healthier and stronger.

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.

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