1. IDE N T IF Y NE E D S . . . OF F E R Y OUR S T RE NG T HS from Doug Fields
FOR STARTERS
What do you perceive as the
TRAINING on the GO
In a lot of churches, the youth ministry is small enough to be run by one
three biggest needs in your person. However, no matter what size your youth ministry might be, it’s
youth ministry? important to understand how important other team members (volunteers
like you) are. They are crucial players in developing health beyond just what
What about your students’ the lead youth worker can manage. In short: You’re essential!
needs? List three. I’ve had many volunteers tell me they felt abandoned once they made the
commitment to get involved in a youth ministry. The lead youth worker
What about three personal
was excited to have them join the team and quickly gave them a place to
biggies—your own needs? serve. Then the youth worker checked that task off the list and moved on to
the next demand, leaving the volunteers to fend for themselves and figure
out their own role. I know this can be discouraging.
IN T HE TRENCHE S Volunteers like you have the power to take the initiative and make ministry
happen through your gifts. You increase the value of the ministry to the
A couple of years ago, some of my
students, church, and community.
volunteers approached me about
our monthly volunteer meetings. Increasing your value might require continually identifying your youth
They were happy with the training ministry’s needs. And some needs may not even be known by the youth
but felt some of the other aspects worker, but that’s OK. That’s why you’re part of a team. When you pay close
of the meeting could be improved. attention to your youth ministry and become personally invested in seeing
Some of their ideas revealed lives changed, you’ll begin to identify needs and then look for ways to meet
issues I didn’t realize existed. For
them, without specific instructions.
instance, they saw a need to make
the meetings more enjoyable and A first step toward identifying your ministry’s needs is asking questions—a lot
encouraging for volunteers. I reluc- of them. Where is the youth ministry (or youth worker) struggling? Is there
tantly agreed with their assessment a problem with organizational skills (such as event registration, messy youth
(reluctantly, because it wounded room or office, outdated publicity)? Or is he or she too busy (first to arrive/last
me a little—sometimes truth does to leave, has phone calls to make, needs help planning an event/scheduling a
that).
lobotomy, and so on)? Your offer to help in any of these areas can lift a heavy
I was happy to have the input and burden that your youth worker may not know how to deal with.
gladly accepted their offer to take
over the planning of our volunteer You could also be a direct answer to prayers of desperation (most youth
meetings. While I still continue pastors aren’t as organized as they would like to appear; I’ve known one
to do the training, these leaders for a long time—me!). I’ve also known a lot of youth workers who aren’t
infuse fun into each meeting; they prone to ask for help. Delegation can be a frightening option. And some are
decorate to make a boring room simply afraid to impose on others.
warmer and create an overall wel-
Whatever the reason, if you’re willing and eager to help, your initiative is
coming environment. And because
these organizers also send creative needed and valued (even if it hasn’t been asked for). Be gentle and gracious
reminders about the meeting by as you offer to surround a weakness with your strength.
e-mail and follow up with phone Here’s a short list of ways you can offer help:
calls, we’ve seen stronger atten-
dance. All this because they took > Affirmation/appreciation > Preparation for > Team building
the initiative! events or messages > Tech help: graphics,
> Caring for parents
> Promoting events Web site, e-mails,
> Decorating and programs audio/video, and so on
> Emotional support > Recreation > Transportation
> Mentoring new leaders > Relational help > Troubleshooting
> Mentoring students > Research > Vision
> Planning > Teaching > Writing e-mails & notes
YOUTH LEADER TRAINING ON THE GO

2. IDE N T IF Y NE E D S . . . OF F E R Y OUR S T RE NG T H S
CONNECT to God’s Word T O T HE POINT
• Observe your ministry with
“We have different gifts, according to the grace
a critical mind, not a critical
given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him heart.
use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving,
let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; • Meet with the lead
if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is youth worker, and share
observations of needs you
contributing to the needs of others, let him give
believe you can meet.
generously; if it is leadership, let him govern
diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it • After permission, begin
cheerfully.” —Romans 12:6-9 taking steps to meet the
need.
• Which gifts from these verses stand out to you
most personally? Why? TRY I T
• Thinking of your ministry to students, which of
At your next youth group meeting,
these characteristics are strong? Which are weak? set up a video camera in the
corner of the room (be sure to get
permission from your lead youth
Write a response and prayer to God here… work first).
Without drawing attention to the
camera, record every part of the
meeting. For example, capture
how students arrive, how they
interact with other students and
volunteers, how new students
occupy themselves, what volunteers
do, and so on.
After the meeting is over and all of
the students are gone, watch the
video as a leadership team. Look for
needs that went unmet; you’ll be
surprised at what you observe. Now,
put together a plan to begin meeting
the needs you observed.
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