////Jeanne' Blog - Ministry Pragmatics
Fighting My Inner Control Freak!
"Control freak!" That's the term we use in youth ministry for senior pastors who won't give us our way or elder boards who veto our latest hot youth ministry idea. But to be honest with you, I have an element of the "control freak" still inside of ME. And from time to time, it has been costly in the progress of our youth ministry. How about you?
Climbing Youth Ministry Mountain
Night after night I sat around a table looking in the eyes of men and women, young and old, from all different backgrounds, and saying "This could be an amazing ride, but I need you...
The Real Key to Youth Ministry Success
Going into this youth ministry journey I had no example of what a youth ministry was supposed to be like. I only knew that two amazing volunteers came in unpaid and unappreciated...
You Can't Possibly Do It All
I talked with a youth pastor the other day that was absolutely exhausted. Though there was a strong family atmosphere in his youth group and great small groups, he was trying to do it all himself because he couldn't get leaders to commit to more than one night a week...
It's Boring
Want to take a guess at the excuse I've heard most often by teenagers who stop attending local youth meetings? It's two simple words: “It's boring!"
Be The Last To Leave
I'm often asked, "How did you make the teenagers in your ministries still feel special as it started to grow to some of the bigger numbers? One of my simplest, most profound keys has always been...
Paul Revere Meetings
We've all heard of the famous American, Paul Revere, who warned that "the British were coming," but we rarely hear about the other man, William Dawes, who was sent out with the same message but whose name has faded from view. Why?
A Surprising Obituary
It was front page news in a issue of USA Today. The headline read "Obituary Takes a Turn," ...around sentence four, the summation of Kathleen's life story took what the writer called a "cringeworthy turn."
Mob, Not a Ministry
There are some amazing ministries that are fortunate to have vans or buses to bring in students and help grow their ministries. Though this is an awesome way to grow your ministry, sometimes there are some special challenges that come along with this type of growth.
The Necessity Of Feedback
Jack Welch, former CEO of General Electric, claimed that one of the keys to his success was consistent reviews and evaluations. He took time out on an annual and semi-annual basis to review what was happening within his corporation. And it didn't stop there. He still does it...
Getting Along With Your Senior Pastor
OK, I've got to admit you're right. I'm was married to my senior pastor for most of my ministry life, so it makes it pretty difficult for him to fire me as his youth leader! But most youth leaders don't have that "inside track."
Hidden Potential Kingdom Champions
As youth pastors, our time and attention is usually drawn towards the loud, the rebellious, the "cool" kid. There's nothing wrong with talking with and spending time with these kids. Regardless of whether we want to or not, they demand our attention.
Connecting With Your Busy Volunteers
Often some of your amazing volunteers are adult leaders with families, including smaller kids and it's a challenge for them to give more time to your ministry than just the few hours each week during your service.
Cultivating a Culture of Growth in a Culture of Satisfaction
If I want to inspire other people to grow, I've got to keep making the non-glamorous choices. These are some simple ways that I encourage the people around me:
Stretching Hours in Youth Ministry
It's that time of year! ALC will officially be 100% here and in full swing by next Saturday. Second years, third years and support staff are already settled in, with first years arriving over the weekend. That means the quiet halls of the summer will now be full of the life and energy of nearly 100 ALC gang. I would have it no other way, but it is not without challenges.
Choosing Your Leaders
Great executives know how to do one thing well – surround themselves with amazing individuals. The president chooses his cabinet wisely, a CEO carefully selects his staff, and a youth pastor must handpick solid leaders to take the group forward. One of the first things I have done in every ministry I began is to search out good leaders.