1. C RE AT E MINIS T RY BUZ Z ( OF T HE P O S I T I V E K IND) from Doug Fields
FOR STARTERS
What’s the perception of your
TRAINING on the GO
You can help generate a positive buzz about your youth ministry in many
youth ministry from people ways. The first and simplest way is by speaking highly of other leaders,
within your church? students, parents, and the ministry’s overall direction. Share with others
the impact your ministry is having on lives, and remind them that God is at
Personally, what kinds of work and doing amazing things in and through the youth ministry.
things—negative or positive— Why is this important? Because it’s easy for a negative word to bring down
do you say about your youth a ministry or contribute to a negative perception. I don’t mean you should
ministry? hide the negative or cover up your ministry’s weaknesses; I simply mean
that negative comments and careless words can create damage that can take
months or even years to repair.
IN T HE TRENCHE S Therefore, speaking highly of your ministry needs to be part of your ministry’s
culture and not an occasional event. I ask my volunteers to help create a positive
Diane is overflowing with positive perception because I want them to be vital contributors.
buzz for our youth ministry. She is a Regularly generating a good buzz about your ministry can only bring about
small-group leader and attends all
encouraging results. One of the benefits is the effect it can have on potential
of our camps and retreats. Because
youth ministry volunteers; it can become a very powerful recruitment
Diane loves her ministry to students
and enjoys serving in our ministry, tool. I’m guessing your youth ministry is one of the 99.9 percent that need
she naturally talks about it to those more volunteer help. Right? Well, your positive voice can lead help to the
around her. team. When you continually talk about how much you love serving on the
team and being a part of the “youth ministry family,” others will want to be
This made a huge difference when
involved with it as well. Since I’m the lead youth worker and youth pastor,
our youth group planned to take a
they expect to hear it from me. But they don’t always expect to hear it from
trip to the mountains. All the details
were planned, but we were short my volunteers.
two volunteers. Thankfully, Diane Another benefit of being positive is that students will want to be involved
had “connections” and recruited with your ministry. Youth ministry can be intimidating for students,
two more volunteers to go on the especially if they’re new. But if they hear positive things about your ministry,
trip with us. The two leaders whom
they’re more likely to take the risk and check it out.
Diane invited did a great job, had
a great experience, and eventually Speaking highly of your ministry also encourages those who are currently
became involved in our ministry— involved. You communicate value when you speak well about their
all because Diane created a positive accomplishments, gifts, and impact on lives. Too many people hear about their
buzz and lived out her passion for weaknesses before they hear about their strengths. Affirm other youth leaders
youth ministry. by taking the time to brag about them to everyone in your church. By speaking
positively about them, you’ll refuel and refresh other volunteers.
Also, your commitment to speak highly of the youth ministry will help stop
gossip. If you’re telling people what good things are happening (firsthand),
negative gossip (hearsay) floating around the church will be replaced by the
truth. A lot of gossip comes from false assumptions or misinterpretations of
what people see or hear. However, if you and your teammates are committed
to telling the good stories from your ministry—every chance you get—most
gossip will be stopped before it has a chance to spread.
One of your many jobs as a volunteer is to create a positive buzz. When you
make a commitment to get the positive word out, you’ll find that ministry
gets better and your team becomes more enjoyable. You’ll also find your
students picking up on the positive buzz and copying your behavior (and
that’s a good thing).
YOUTH LEADER TRAINING ON THE GO

2. C RE AT E MINI S T R Y B U Z Z ( OF T HE P O S I T I V E K IND )
CONNECT to God’s Word T O T HE POINT
• Get caught saying positive
“May the words of my mouth and the meditation
things about your ministry.
of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my
Rock and my Redeemer.” —Psalm 19:14 • Highlight your youth ministry
or those working in the
ministry through everyday
• Spend a couple of minutes evaluating the conversations.
language you use to talk about your ministry.
• Be on the lookout for
• What does your language communicate to others
potential leaders and
about the condition of the ministry?
students, and share positive
• Take a moment to offer up the frustrations you stories.
have about your ministry to God. Then spend time
thanking him for the positive elements of your
ministry. TRY I T
Get the word out about your
Write a response and prayer to God here…. youth ministry. Take some time to
generate positive buzz by involving
your church family in the good news
that’s happening in your ministry.
• Send a monthly e-mail to the youth
pastor or lead youth worker. Let
him or her know what’s happening
in your specific ministry to
students, explaining what you’re
doing with students and describing
a life-changing event you’ve
experienced. Don’t just focus on
numbers and activities—share
stories about the great happenings
with students.
• You might also ask the lead youth
worker to highlight one of your
students in the church bulletin or
on the church Web site. Take the
initiative and write it first so it can
be easily edited and posted.
MA K E IT PER SONAL
Permission to photocopy this handout granted for local church use. Copyright © Doug Fields. Published in Youth Leader Training on the Go
by Group Publishing, Inc., P.O. Box 481, Loveland, CO 80539. www.youthministry.com and www.simplyyouthministry.com