Become the Example They Follow
Contrary to popular belief, staying up all night with teenagers, jumping on trampolines, driving bumper cars, playing basketball with a raw turkey, and chasing pigs no longer entice me. Yes, as you laugh, it is true I did each of those things. But let me be quite truthful... those things are not my idea of fun. Yet if you watched me participate in any of those activities, you would never guess I was not having the time of my life. It does not really matter if you think the activities your kids want to do are fun. Make yourself enjoy it. I cannot stress how vital it is for you to recognize the importance of teaching them how to cultivate their own sense of creativity and avoid falling into the trap of boredom. You must become the example they follow, not just in prayer and worship, but in planned events and outings.
Today, I've built enough credibility that my trampoline jumping days are winding down. The memories are so many that years later they still keep us laughing. My "remember when's" include sumo wrestling events in the living room, the demolition of an old car, snow throwing parties, turkey basketball tournaments, and candle-light moments... Most of our creative ideas often become infamous activities and we turn them into long-awaited, stoic traditions. Allow me to share just a few:
- Among the many outdoor activities, turkey basketball has emerged over the years as a favorite. Every fall, I headed off to the grocery store to buy frozen turkeys and a box of plastic gloves. Picture in your mind person after person man-handling a frozen turkey. You guessed it. The inevitable happens. Cheering fans laugh hysterically as they watch the various parts of the poultry fly from one side of the court to another. I think I've played turkey basketball enough that I probably could shoot better with the awkward bird than an actual basketball. But through participating in this silly activity, we produced tons of laughter and always build bridges of friendship with the kids and gain credibility as their leader.
- At one of our "fun activities" I actually broke my leg chasing a greasy pig, but I caught the pig! The things we dream up and actually do would overwhelm the minds of most normal parents, yet as I see hundreds of kids entering a real authentic walk with Christ and enjoying Christian friendships, I refuse to believe it is anything less than effective. I've learned the importance of this principle and allowed it to affect every aspect of my youth ministry approach.
- When we built our first home, I requested an open entry-way and living area, with the intention of hosting large groups of kids. What I didn't realize is that the vaulted ceilings, along with a staircase leading to the balcony that overlooked the living area would provide the ideal setting for what later became one of our most renowned activities. One night I consented to having a trampoline brought into the living room, and allowed my furniture to be carried into the front yard. The kids loved having an indoor trampoline, but one bright individual needed more of a challenge, and proceeded to climb the stairs and there atop the balcony he jumped onto the trampoline. My mind reeled, as I imagined the overwhelming potential to incur a lawsuit, but as the chants for me to join in the newly found fun came, I buried my fears and made the jump. Thousands launched themselves off the balcony to the trampoline below during our 13 year stay in Illinois, and I know for many of them it was their first leap towards a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Contrary to popular belief, staying up all night with teenagers, jumping on trampolines, driving bumper cars, playing basketball with a raw turkey, and chasing pigs no longer entice me. Yes, as you laugh, it is true I did each of those things. But let me be quite truthful... those things are not my idea of fun. Yet if you watched me participate in any of those activities, you would never guess I was not having the time of my life. It does not really matter if you think the activities your kids want to do are fun. Make yourself enjoy it. I cannot stress how vital it is for you to recognize the importance of teaching them how to cultivate their own sense of creativity and avoid falling into the trap of boredom. You must become the example they follow, not just in prayer and worship, but in planned events and outings.
Today, I've built enough credibility that my trampoline jumping days are winding down. The memories are so many that years later they still keep us laughing. My "remember when's" include sumo wrestling events in the living room, the demolition of an old car, snow throwing parties, turkey basketball tournaments, and candle-light moments... Most of our creative ideas often become infamous activities and we turn them into long-awaited, stoic traditions. Allow me to share just a few:
- Among the many outdoor activities, turkey basketball has emerged over the years as a favorite. Every fall, I headed off to the grocery store to buy frozen turkeys and a box of plastic gloves. Picture in your mind person after person man-handling a frozen turkey. You guessed it. The inevitable happens. Cheering fans laugh hysterically as they watch the various parts of the poultry fly from one side of the court to another. I think I've played turkey basketball enough that I probably could shoot better with the awkward bird than an actual basketball. But through participating in this silly activity, we produced tons of laughter and always build bridges of friendship with the kids and gain credibility as their leader.
- At one of our "fun activities" I actually broke my leg chasing a greasy pig, but I caught the pig! The things we dream up and actually do would overwhelm the minds of most normal parents, yet as I see hundreds of kids entering a real authentic walk with Christ and enjoying Christian friendships, I refuse to believe it is anything less than effective. I've learned the importance of this principle and allowed it to affect every aspect of my youth ministry approach.
- When we built our first home, I requested an open entry-way and living area, with the intention of hosting large groups of kids. What I didn't realize is that the vaulted ceilings, along with a staircase leading to the balcony that overlooked the living area would provide the ideal setting for what later became one of our most renowned activities. One night I consented to having a trampoline brought into the living room, and allowed my furniture to be carried into the front yard. The kids loved having an indoor trampoline, but one bright individual needed more of a challenge, and proceeded to climb the stairs and there atop the balcony he jumped onto the trampoline. My mind reeled, as I imagined the overwhelming potential to incur a lawsuit, but as the chants for me to join in the newly found fun came, I buried my fears and made the jump. Thousands launched themselves off the balcony to the trampoline below during our 13 year stay in Illinois, and I know for many of them it was their first leap towards a relationship with Jesus Christ.
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If your calendar could speak, what would it say? If you look at a typical youth pastor's weekly schedule, often times you'll find a great deal of time being spent creating a "fast-paced, high-tech, entertaining youth service." However, according to Group Publishing's "Cool Church Survey" of 10,000 students, it ranked dead last in the importance of 10 factors that influence a student's commitment to church.
What was #1? "A welcoming atmosphere where you can be yourself." So, in this Youth Leader's Coach, listen in on seven strategic elements in building a Christ-honoring, welcoming environment. Refuse to fail at this youth ministry success test, choose instead to up the ante when it comes to the friendship/family tenor of your ministry.
All in,
In our desire for church growth, it seems that more and more leaders are falling into the category of "CEO," and have forgotten their call to be the "shepherds" of God's people. Though it's true that both are important in leading a church, Scripture and Jesus' example show us that fulfilling the role of a "true shepherd" is of the highest priority.
In this Youth Leader's Coach, I share seven principles that will help you "Cultivate The Heart Of A Shepherd" in your youth ministry. So, put on your running shoes, and let's go "chase" some sheep...together! There is no greater calling!
Lovingly,
Unfortunately, we live in a society of broken families. Instead of being surrounded with unconditional love and acceptance, teenagers often face homes devastated by divorce and absent parents, or houses filled with arguments and discord. With such shattered trust in today's youth, there has never been a greater need to be more than just a spiritual leader, but rather, a spiritual parent.
So, we must stop and ask ourselves if our ministry is a safe place where these teenagers do feel loved and accepted. Is family a part of our youth group's heartbeat? Listen in to this Youth Leader's Coach, "Cultivating The Father Heart Of God In Your Leadership," as I share my heart on becoming a conduit of the Father Heart of God in your own life and youth ministry.
Lovingly,
You'll love this resource! It's a special love gift from my heart to yours from a recent message I shared during our college days, "Experience," with Master's Commission Atlanta. It's for far more than potential college students though, as it's a topic that students of all ages deal with...family. Family can be pretty broken these days, but my reminder to our students is to say, no matter your story or your family, your past does not define you. People can always disappoint us, but there is a Heavenly Father who never will and because of His love, He has placed destiny and purpose on all of our lives.
In this month's Source, "In Search of a Real Dad," I'm pulling parallels from the life of Mephibosheth and the movie Antwoine Fisher, as I take a run at sharing the Father heart of God for all us. It's been so pivotal in my own personal walk with Christ and let me just remind you my incredible youth leader friend, His love carries you to His table.
Grateful for His Father's Heart,
