1. U S E T IME A S A T OOL from Doug Fields
FOR STARTERS TRAINING on the GO
What do you consider to Everything you do in youth ministry takes significant time; there’s never
be time well spent in your quite enough time to meet all of the needs, from building relationships with
students to developing your personal ministry, problem solving, resolving
ministry?
conflict—and so on. And what I see and hear from volunteers is that they’re
List the three things that, in a very busy and live in a fast-paced world. Can you identify with that?
typical youth ministry week, Wisdom tells us that not everything needs to move at rapid speed, especially
take most of your time. when it comes to ministering to students. A healthy youth leader learns how
to slow down and use time wisely. Here are a few areas to pay attention to.
Take time to develop your personal ministry. Make sure you’re ministering
TRENCHE S
in your areas of strength and continuing to develop as a teacher and minister.
IN T HE As you grow in ministry, you’ll develop a strong sense of your role in the life
of the church, in the youth ministry, and with your students. Out of this sense
My immediate, angry reaction to of purpose grows direction and vision for how you make a difference in stu-
Jason was, “You’re done serving dents’ lives. Continually seek opportunities to deepen your walk with God,
in our youth ministry.” Fortunately, and use that growth to develop your personal ministry with students.
Jason wasn’t nearby at the time.
You see, Jason had decided to let Take time to build relationships. Depending on your personality and ability
one of his eighth-grade boys drive to connect with students, building quality relationships with students might
Jason’s car around the church park- not happen immediately. You may need to remain faithful over a period of
ing lot late one night after small time to gain their trust and friendship. A helpful principle is that the more
group. time you spend volunteering in ministry, the more teenagers will allow you
Jason was a young youth leader into their lives. You may spend six months with them and still not have a
and in his first year of volunteer- close connection—but that’s OK and even normal.
ing. I knew he had no previous
Many teenagers have been abandoned by other adults and will be slower to
youth ministry experience. Frankly,
my initial reaction was that I’d
open up. It’s sad but true. Long-lasting, healthy relationships take time to
make sure he didn’t get any more build. I know you might want to fast-forward through the in-between time to
experience. But after I calmed get to the deep connection, but with relationships, time is the value.
down and realized that my angry Take time to resolve problems. While I don’t believe that time heals all wounds,
reaction could do serious damage I do firmly believe that time can give us a better perspective and help us develop
to Jason’s future and maybe our
people instead of destroying them. As I write this, my mind fills with images
youth ministry, I held my tongue
and reflected. I realized that Jason
of e-mails I’m glad I didn’t immediately respond to, decisions I held off on, and
was not trying to bring down the advice I didn’t give. We’ve all learned from pain caused by impulsive reactions.
ministry; he was simply a young A common mistake people make when it comes to conflict is wanting imme-
leader who made a poor choice. diate justice and satisfaction more than restoration of relationships. It’s easy
I knew I’d personally been in that to act impulsively and discover later that a wrong or uninformed decision
type of situation before, and so had was made—and now more people are hurt.
the leaders in the church where I
became a Christian. (In fact, one
Instead of giving in to the temptation to dispense justice and “truth” or get
leader let me drive his car when I even, step back and beg God for a wisdom greater than your own. While
was in seventh grade!) By stepping you shouldn’t wait too long to resolve problems, a short amount of reflection
back and calmly responding, I was time (even a few hours) can give you the space needed to calmly consider
able to give Jason grace and coach the options. Decide how to best respond, apologize, or compromise to find a
him through this situation. resolution—and restore a relationship.
How does this story inspire you to Allow God to remind you that he is the builder of your life and your ministry.
handle conflict, either now or for He is in control of all the little details that currently seem overwhelming and
the future? impossible to you; hear him speak words of love and encouragement over
you as he shines his face upon you and your time with students.
YOUTH LEADER TRAINING ON THE GO

2. U S E T IME A S A T OOL
CONNECT to God’s Word T O T HE POINT
• Understand that everything
“But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, ‘You are my God.’
in youth ministry takes time—
My times are in your hands; deliver me from my instant results don’t apply to
enemies and from those who pursue me. Let students.
your face shine on your servant; save me in your
unfailing love.” —Psalm 31:14-16 • Be willing to slow down within
your ministry responsibilities.
• Be patient with relationships,
• How can you rest in God’s presence? What effect
conflict, and your personal
will this have on your ministry to students?
development.
• How will acknowledging what you don’t—and
TRY I T
do—have time for change your ministry? your
relationship with God? other relationships?
Set aside an hour of time. I know
Write a response and prayer to God here… this can be difficult, but set it aside
as an hour of uninterrupted time.
Use this solo time to respond more
fully to the thoughts in Sum It Up.
First, lay down two lines of masking
tape about 15 feet apart. Slowly
walk from one line to the other,
putting one foot directly in front
of the other foot. With each step,
pause to ask God for patience to
slow down and listen to him.
[Excerpted from Transformation Stations: Giving My Time to
God, copyright © 2005 Group Publishing, Inc., P.O. Box 481,
Loveland, CO 80539.]
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