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How do I get my Adult Leaders to move beyond viewing service in the Youth ministry as more than fulfilling a chaperone role?
I have a team of 5 leaders who have told me that if theres anything I need them to do just ask, however after asking them to move beyond just sitting in the youth building with the students, and actually communicate and invest in them, they cant, seem to do it. I feel like they view their service as crowd control and not ministry.
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- 9 months ago
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I think while you may be frustrated by it, they are not to blame. For decades, the youth ministry model was that one charismatic youth leader was supposed to meet all the spiritual needs of these teenagers and the other adults in the room were just there for moral support and crowd control. Thankfully this paradigm is shifting. I'm having a hard time setting that precedent in my own ministry. When I "paint" this vision of adults being actively involved in teens lives, you'd think there were lobsters coming out my ears. They've told me "it's just always been done this way." I think Justin's got it right...just continue to repaint your vision. That's what I'm doing and it seems to be working. Slowly, but working. |
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Paint your vision... Over and over and over again. When you think they got it, paint it some more. The one key to this strategy is that you have to have a clear understanding of the vision yourself and then model it. Meet one on one and ask how you can equip them. Be strategic and put structure in how you want them to minister. I'm a firm believer that when you involve adults in student ministry (which we all should strive for) your ministry expands to help grow these adults too. You can do it. You can teach anyone to minister as long as they are willing to grow. |
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They might not know how. Some people find it difficult to appraoch teenagers and connect with them. I'd suggest to try giving a specific challenge, such as before the meeting starts, each leader has to greet 5 students as they come in and learn something new about each one or ask each one about their week and be prepared to listen. |
