Mile Marker of Success #2: Just Be There
You know you're a success when you've been in one place long enough to have "remember when" stories.
Persistence is the greatest revenge on hell. In our dysfunctional society, where complete family units are an endangered species, we can define successful youth ministry with three words: "Just be there." Sounds simple, but in a world of "rotating relationships" a long-haul ministry can't be overrated.
Conversations about the "night the bus engine caught on fire coming home from our fall retreat" are key markers of success, as long as you're consciously creating new memories today. It's dangerous to recycle the same stories over and over in your mind. I've been in full-time ministry for more than four decades, and I still push myself to generate fresh stories. Without fresh stories, I wouldn't have a fresh heart. I fear that I might stand before Christ one day with an enlarged youth ministry, but a shrunken heart.
Over time, youth ministry can degenerate into a boring, unfulfilling task even to the best of us. It takes sheer determination to create new stories with new kids. I recently led a student named CJ to the Lord...he's my fresh story in the making. With God's help, I'm determined to authentically befriend CJ so one day he can write his own stories in the lives of students.
You know you're a success when you've been in one place long enough to have "remember when" stories.
Persistence is the greatest revenge on hell. In our dysfunctional society, where complete family units are an endangered species, we can define successful youth ministry with three words: "Just be there." Sounds simple, but in a world of "rotating relationships" a long-haul ministry can't be overrated.
Conversations about the "night the bus engine caught on fire coming home from our fall retreat" are key markers of success, as long as you're consciously creating new memories today. It's dangerous to recycle the same stories over and over in your mind. I've been in full-time ministry for more than four decades, and I still push myself to generate fresh stories. Without fresh stories, I wouldn't have a fresh heart. I fear that I might stand before Christ one day with an enlarged youth ministry, but a shrunken heart.
Over time, youth ministry can degenerate into a boring, unfulfilling task even to the best of us. It takes sheer determination to create new stories with new kids. I recently led a student named CJ to the Lord...he's my fresh story in the making. With God's help, I'm determined to authentically befriend CJ so one day he can write his own stories in the lives of students.
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Statistically, Barna's research indicates that out of every ten people who begin in full-time ministry, only two are likely to remain at the ten year mark. I hope those statistics shock you and leave you asking the question "why?"
Upon reflection, I think our ability to go the distance is determined, in large part, by the level of our success at "Self Leadership." To both survive and thrive, it is essential that we become good stewards of our time and emotions.
Who is going to stay in the game long enough to spiritually parent the emerging generation? My prayer is that you will. Go for the dog!
Running with you,
I can't tell you the number of times I've wanted to quit. There were countless reasons - restlessness, boredom, lack of appreciation, frustration with leaders, disappointed with decisions and the list goes on. Whatever the reason, in the moment, quitting seemed justifiable. But in hindsight, it would have been a huge mistake.
I'm not saying once you start somewhere you are supposed to die there. However, we do need to walk carefully, with much thought and consideration, given that we are a part of a generation that does not "endure" well. Know that we will never be much of a threat to the kingdom of hell, if we allow ourselves to jump ship too quickly. Instead, slow that train down and allow me, and those who know you best, to speak into your life on how and when to move on.
Refusing to quit,
The average senior pastor in the ‘70s had a tenure in full-time ministry of 30 years. Now the lifespan of the average senior pastor in full-time ministry is CUT IN HALF...to only 15 years! The million dollar question though is, why? I think that much of the answer rests in the "emotional roller coaster" of ministry's constantly changing high's and low's.
In this month's Youth Leader's Coach, "Riding the Emotional Roller Coaster Called Ministry," I'm talking leader to leader about the emotional journey that ministry sometimes takes us on. So grab a cup of coffee and a journal as we navigate our efforts as leaders to stay in the game wholeheartedly through the ups and downs.
Hanging On For The Ride,
We live in a pretty non-committal society. Over and over again I hear staggering statistics that remind me that human nature is often not in the commitment business. That's why I decided to share this month's Youth Leader's Coach, "Why Do People Quit So Easily?" on this topic of commitment.
If you have been in full-time (or bi-vocational) ministry I'm almost certain that two things have happened: PEOPLE HAVE QUIT ON YOU and YOU HAVE WANTED TO QUIT. It happens to all of us. In this Youth Leader's Coach, I share some of the reasons why people quit so easily and 9 ways that we can all become better people of commitment and follow-through.
Lovingly,
