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Have you ever transitioned from a youth worker leading students to a youth worker leading leaders model?
I've been at my church over 4 years now. I'm frustrated because the model over the years has been that the youth director teaches the kids and does the ministry while parents or volunteers make contributions as needed (bringing food, driving on a trip). While these contributions are appreciated and needed, they don't do anything to perpetuate the youth ministry of the church. In the event I leave the church, the youth ministry will cave in...not because I'm so great, but because of the structure. I shared with my parents about my concerns.They were very honest in saying that they were just used to a YP doing everything. I shared that I felt I had failed them in giving the ministry back to them. Have you made this transition? What did you do
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- jasonbh...
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- 1 year ago
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Our group has unfortunately never had parent involvement. It's always been YPs doing everything and begging for parent help when we don't have enough hands. It has pushed us to seek out other methods, like growing student leaders. It started with a few college kids helping out and has evolved to a program where we allow "student interns" from our Juniors/Seniors in HS to plan small events, participate in some planning mtgs, etc. It's growing our group because we now have a bunch of older college kids that have stuck around and know how to run aspects of the group if needed. Perhaps something similar with parents could ne helpful, enlist a parent to be in charge of a specific area you can train them in. |
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Jason I guarantee you when you share leadership with parents and youth your outcome will be ten times what you currently have. As a youth ministry volunteer for a Catholic Church in the midwest I worked in a parish for 17 yrs. At about 10 yrs in I did the national certification for youth ministry that our Church offers. Also taught us about the Vision for Youth Ministry that our Bishops had written and how to incorporate those pieces into parish life. I remember thinking in the training how can 1 person do all of that? God answered you can't. That is why community having shared ownership will take your ministry much farther. You and your youth have to sell it. Parents will do anything for their youth if asked. |
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When they gave you that honest feedback, was it "this is what we're used to and deal with it" or "this is what we're used to, sorry about that?" I think you become very intentional about getting people to have roles and doing those, especially as you see gift matches. If it's something they like and/or are good at, they'll likely be happy to do it. I'd also get them investing personally in students. Break out a list of students and show how impractical it is for you to do direct ministry to each. Vision is going to be huge. Share what is and what could be. (There's a bunch of random thoughts)... It's more the "this is what we're used to, sorry about that." I've tried over the last year to implement small groups as a starting place to an expanded ministry but most parents think their kids don't want them around and most others don't want to help without having kids in the program. We are also a small group (now) so they don't see the need for more adult leadership. Breaking down this mentality is hard. Knowing the program will cave in if I leave doesn't seem to bother them. Thanks. |
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I've recently shared with all of my youth leaders that there was a more than reasonable chance that 2011 would be my last full year in ministry where I am now- I'll complete my MA next Spring, my oldest son is graduating in 2012 and our youngest is making the transition from 8th to 9th grade. I told them that my job for the rest of the year was to equip them for ministry after me. I've started by carving up our teaching schedule so they are doing more leading during lesson times. This is where most churches have it backwards, youth ministry is a church effort. I'd check out "Sustainable Youth Ministry" and "Family-Based Youth Ministry"- both by Mark DeVries. I've thought about "creating" a sense of urgency, too, but I don't want to fabricate a situation that isn't technically there. Maybe I should. The mentality in our church is "Isn't that what we pay you for?" I've tried to break that down. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. |
