by David Hanson | Oct 6, 2014 | The Youth Ministry Blog
If you serve in any capacity in student ministry, you understand that students say funny things. You also know that adults say funny things. I thought I’d share some of the top things people have said to me over the past 10 years of being a student pastor.
-
“What other job do you have besides being a student pastor?”
Student ministry is a multifaceted job. You have to learn how to plan events, write sermons, develop leaders, help parents in crisis, counsel students, edit videos, create graphics, update websites, plan events and more. It is a random ministry position that includes a lot of fun and creativity! But most people do not understand it.
-
“When will you become a real pastor?”
I heard a friend of mine say that once he knew a guy that was a youth pastor. He was amazed at how fast he became wise, in one day, when he accepted a senior pastor role. All of a sudden people listened to what he said and wanted his advice on everything. Student pastors are pastors. A lot of what we do is shepherding students and their families.
-
“I am amazed that someone would WANT to spend time with students!”
People don’t know how encouraged I am by students and their desire to serve God. I believe that students ARE the church, not just the future of the church. The energy and openness to God is what makes student ministry special to me.
-
“My child doesn’t want to come to church, can you get them to come?”
Usually the student can tell that even the parents don’t want to be at church. What you see in a student’s life mirrors what happens in the home, especially their attitudes. Parents are the biggest influences in the lives of their students. I usually talk to the parent about how to influence their child to see God working in their life.
-
“If we can keep the kids busy, we will keep them out of trouble”
Busyness doesn’t help students. Focused discipleship helps students grow alongside relationships with others. Busy calendars alone, as the focus, usually can lead to distracted people.
If you are in student ministry, I’m sure you can add to the list! We have an opportunity to invest and influence this generation. As hard as it can be at times, we focus upon the spiritual investment of the gospel into their lives.
People will always say positive and negative things about student ministry. The enemy hates that you are investing in this generation! Stay focused upon why you are doing what you are doing. Live for an audience of One as we all seek to hear the words, “well done, good and faithful servant.”
[guestpost]
Josh is the student pastor at Church @ The Springs in Ocala, Florida (www.thesprings.net). Josh has served in student ministry for 9+ years and has a passion to lead students to imitate Christ and influence the world! He has a personal blog at http://joshrobinson.cc
[/guestpost]
by David Hanson | Mar 4, 2014 | The Youth Ministry Blog
I’ve thought a lot lately about my example as a Dad. A pastor. A friend.
“Do as I say and not as a I do” is an ineffective way to lead people.
If I want my children to love Jesus, I need to love Jesus by example. If I want students that I lead to share their faith, I need to share my faith. If I want people to be in small groups, I need to be in a small group.
“Everything rises and falls on leadership.” John Maxwell
“Leadership is action, not position. “D.H. McGannon
“Do-so is more important than say-so.” Pete Seeger
People not only want to be taught but they want to emulate. Just as important as our public leadership is the private leadership of our actions.
If our goal is to lead people to accomplish the vision of God, it must start with example.
Practical ways to lead by example:
– Smile.
– Encourage: Give courage to people as they serve. Help them see their God-given potential.
– Listen: When someone talks, listen to them. Don’t talk over them or ignore their suggestions.
– Deflect praise to God: Avoid taking credit that belongs to God.
– Follow through: Do what you say you will do.
– Ask Forgiveness: When you make a mistake in what or how you lead, be the first to admit and ask for forgiveness. Admitting mistakes solidifies leadership and builds trust.
What would you add to the practical ways to lead by example? Leave a comment below!
[guestpost]
Josh is the student pastor at Church @ The Springs in Ocala, Florida (www.thesprings.net). Josh has served in student ministry for 9+ years and has a passion to lead students to imitate Christ and influence the world! He has a personal blog at http://joshrobinson.cc
[/guestpost]
by David Hanson | Jan 28, 2014 | The Youth Ministry Blog
If you are in ministry, you might at times feel tired. I like to think of it as the machine of ministry.
The machine of ministry looks like this:
– You are exhausted mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually most of the time.
– You go through the motions of ministry work.
– Your only concern is the attendance, and you’re not that excited about stories of life-change.
– Worship is hard to get into because you “already know these songs.”
– You compare yourself with other churches and leaders.
– Your appearance gets more attention than your spiritual heart.
I’ve experienced these feeling at times in my own life. How do we avoid falling into a robot of ministry where we lose sight of the sensitivity of God’s Spirit?
– Remember the cross. Preach the gospel to yourself everyday to remember the grace of Jesus and how we do not deserve it.
– Remain teachable. Admit you have not arrived or know all the answers. Just because you have a lot of knowledge or experience doesn’t mean that we stop hungering for more of God.
– Pray for people who need Jesus. One of the sure ways to keep a humble, sensitive heart is to love and pray for people who are far from God.
– Invest in your family. Get your ministry work done at the office and focus on giving your best effort at home. Listen to your spouse and help your children know they are loved. Pray with and for them. Our families help us stay grounded and focus on what really matters.
– Stay dependent. Tell Jesus that you need Him. A lot.
The truth is, Jesus said He would build His church (Matthew 16:18). Men can build buildings and programs, but Jesus is the One who ultimately builds the church. Our role is to be sensitive to how God wants us to serve Him and join what He is doing in ministry. The long-term success of any man of God isn’t simply statistics, but it is being faithful to God’s calling to love Him and love people.
How are you able to stay close to your relationship with Jesus when ministry is so busy?
How do you avoid the machine and remain sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading in your life?
Josh is the student pastor at Church @ The Springs in Ocala, Florida
(www.thesprings.net). Josh has served in student ministry for 9+ years and has a passion to lead students to imitate Christ and influence the world! He has a personal blog at
http://joshrobinson.cc
by David Hanson | Jan 7, 2014 | The Youth Ministry Blog
Leadership is a popular word swirling around the globe. Especially in churches. Leadership books are being printed now more than ever. With all the ideas floating around in leadership books, I wanted to write a quick post that highlights one of the most important parts of leadership and how it can help or deteriorate our longevity as strong, effective leaders.
Simply, leadership is being ahead of those you are leading in such a way that you realize that every decision is not isolated but connected. Strategy is thinking possible outcomes with a prayerful heart and asking the question, “What will be the wisest decision that will have the longest impact?”
Leaders are to always think about how decisions will affect those they lead. Will this decision trickle down as a clear process that followers can easily follow? Do the decisions we make as leaders help the ministry/organization?
Every person who likes change is the one bringing the change. Thinking through leadership isn’t executing decisions but learning how to answer the questions before they enter the picture.
What decisions have been made in the name of “leadership” that ultimately hurt the church and damage relationships? Leadership is servanthood. A servant thinks of others before themselves and this is what I hope to emulate in my life. I hope to pour out an attitude of leadership that empowers others to be excited, passionate and ready to fulfill God’s mission.
How to stop the trickle and pour leadership into those around us:
– Communicate, communicate and you guessed it… communicate.
Help people see how they fit into the ministry they are a part of.
– Ask for input from trusted advisors. It helps create a culture of feedback and support for the ministry.
– Communicate some more because vision leaks. As leaders, we might have spent weeks thinking about a decision but those we tell have heard it in seconds.
– Never assume everyone knows what is expected of them. Give people practical ways to help in ministry.
And the most important part of stopping the trickle down effect is…
– Do what you say you will do and if you forget, apologize. People remember what we say, so be sure to use words wisely on decisions. It might not mean much at the time, but every decision affects everyone.
What trickle down effect are your decisions making?
Trust me, knee-jerk decisions are decisions that do not last long and will leave our followers disconnected. People want to follow leaders who trickle down clear communication WITH strategic, wise decisions that help the organization move forward.
Josh is the student pastor at Church @ The Springs in Ocala, Florida
(www.thesprings.net). Josh has served in student ministry for 9+ years and has a passion to lead students to imitate Christ and influence the world! He has a personal blog at
http://joshrobinson.cc
by David Hanson | Dec 19, 2013 | The Youth Ministry Blog
Once time has ticked away, it is gone forever. Every second, minute, hour, day… you get the idea.
Time is always moving. We all have the same amount of time. The difference is how we spend it. What you and I do with our time shows what we value. I want to share a few tips I’ve learned about how to manage time.
1. If you don’t plan your time, someone else will plan it for you. Seek to think through what your priorities are in life. Try to block out certain time to complete the most important things. If you do not have a plan, the next person who wants to waste your time will be happy to.
2. Know what you value so you can decide if you should spend time upon it. If you value people and show love to them, you will value the time spent in conversation planned or unplanned. If the time helps move people closer to Jesus, it was meaningful time spent.
3. Block out time for what matters most during your week. I have times of my week that are blocked out to study for teaching and other time blocked out for quality time with my family. I try to make sure the most important relationships in my life get the best of my time.
Time is limited. We should continually spend it on what matters most.
What would you add to the conversation?
Josh is the student pastor at Church @ The Springs in Ocala, Florida
(www.thesprings.net). Josh has served in student ministry for 9+ years and has a passion to lead students to imitate Christ and influence the world! He has a personal blog at
http://joshrobinson.cc
