Tag: leading

Trip Tricks: Crafting a Packing List for Students

Posted on by Leave a comment

As you plan different trips throughout the year, it is imperative to share a packing list with students and families to help them prepare for the specific trip they will be going on. Each trip and location is unique and they will most likely provide you with site- and trip-specific items you need. Think winter gear for a winter retreat and work gloves and boots for a mission trip.

But what are some packing list items that transcend trip types and can be utilized across the board? I’m so glad you asked because that is the focus of this post. The items shared today are meant to be repurposed from trip to trip so you don’t have to rewrite the same list over and over, but instead can add trip-specific items as needed.

Sleeping bag or sheets.

No matter where you take students, the reality is they will most likely need bedding of some kind. Mattresses may be provided but typically there are no sheets nor blankets. So reminding students to bring a sleeping bag or twin-size sheet set is imperative to helping them have a great trip.

A pillow.

Yes, could have put this with the sleeping bag and sheets, but I have found that students miss this item if it is not listed separately. Students tend to forget a pillow more often than not and giving it its own item line is key to helping them see it and remember it.

Clothing.

Each trip will require trip-specific clothing (think work clothes or winter gear), but there’s always typical clothing that will be needed on each trip. Encourage your students to pack sleepwear, clothing for activities (think gym games or outdoor activities), casual clothing for just hanging out, swimsuits when applicable, and clothing for any competitions, theme nights, or group activities.

Shoes.

Similar to the pillow addendum, students are prone to forgetting their shoes. And not just for a specific activity but all shoes except for the ones on their feet. Which given the time of year, those shoes (like Crocs and slides), will not be appropriate for the various activities at the site you’re going to.

So, when it comes to shoes, highlight which ones they need to bring. Think about shoes for various activities like shower shoes, gym shoes, slides, casual shoes, snow boots, work shoes, shoes for outdoor activities, and whatever else is necessary for your trip.

Toiletries.

As much as I’d love to think toiletries are basically understood, I’ve worked in student ministry for too long to believe that. And I’m guessing you may have too.

Helping students remember things like soap, shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, a toothbrush, medicine, and towels and washcloths makes a huge difference when you’re going on trips. It’s also a good idea to encourage your students to bring a shower caddy or gym bag if they need to utilize a bathhouse or shared bath area.

Bible, pen, and journal.

When you’re going on a retreat, to a camp, or on a mission trip, typically you will have someone sharing some sort of message or devotional. You will probably be encouraging your students to do devotionals or a quiet time as well. Reminding them to bring these supplies on the trip helps to ensure they are prepared to fully engage with the trip.

A water bottle.

This is absolutely necessary regardless of what trip you’re taking students on. Making sure they are staying hydrated is important no matter the temperature outside, and encouraging them to bring their own water bottle along is incredibly beneficial.

One of the best things you can do as a trip leader is to ensure you have some stock piles of these items that you can take on a trip with you. I’m not suggesting that you bring along an entire store and medicine cabinet with you, but to have some back-up supplies is never a bad thing.

We typically take a small tote on trips that are closer to home (within a few hours’ drive) and a couple of small bags for longer trips or when we are flying. Another thing to be aware of is how close the nearest Walmart or supermarket is in case you need to make a quick pickup.

Planning well means preparing for your students to forget some things, but also equipping them with all the resources you can to help them succeed. That means having a proper and trip-specific packing list for them. Preparing ahead of time will help alleviate future stress and issues as you lead your team in whatever trip you’re heading out on.

Quick Tip: Empower Others to Teach

Posted on by Leave a comment

This past week I didn’t speak at youth group and I’m not speaking this coming week either. Not because I don’t want to or because I’m not available. I’m not speaking because we have sought to empower our leaders by letting them use their gifts to teach our students.

In fact, this last week one of our leaders shared a lesson on dating and it was honestly one of the best I’ve heard shared at a youth group in a very long time. He connected with all of our students, was honest and vulnerable, gracious, and gave some tangible applications and questions for students to think through in small groups and beyond.

If I’m being honest, I had a proud “dad” moment when I listened to him teach. He was fully capable, equipped, and gifted in his teaching and I would be happy to have him teach at any time.

The truth we need to wrestle with is this: releasing the pulpit can be hard for the leader of any ministry. Whether you’re a youth pastor or senior pastor, there’s a piece of us that wants control for a variety of reasons.

It could be because we were hired for this purpose and it’s in our job description. It could be because of some pride or control issues. Or maybe there’s a piece of us that doesn’t trust others who don’t have the education or experience that we do.

But by allowing those aspects to control us, we are missing out on the opportunity to empower our leaders to utilize their gifts and abilities. What we need to do is share the stage with others and encourage them to step into the roles and opportunities God has given them.

For ministry leaders, that means you need to identify, equip, empower, encourage, release, and coach your people. When you see potential in others and you equip, empower, and encourage them they will begin to grow and flourish in their gifting and put their gifts into action. Then you need to release them to fully use their gifts as you continue to walk alongside them and coach them along the way.

Not only does this encourage and empower your team, it also generates buy-in from your leaders as they understand that they are not just a number or warm body and instead are seen as a partner in ministry. This is also beneficial for your students because people will hear the same things differently from different people.

You could teach a lesson and have little engagement. A week later one of your leaders could teach the same lesson and there could be a flood of positive feedback. That isn’t to say your message wasn’t good or beneficial, but your students heard it differently from a different voice and that is a huge asset to your ministry.

Another benefit to empowering others to teach and lead is that it releases that from your shoulders and allows you to engage in different ways. I know when one of our leaders speaks, I’m freed up throughout the program to engage and build relationships without the distractions of thinking about what I’m teaching on. It also affords me more time in the week to plan ahead, meet with people, and work on side projects that need to get done. This is a win-win for both sides.

At the end of the day, having a variety of voices sharing and teaching within your ministry is one of the greatest assets you have at your disposal. The question you need to wrestle with is this: will you release control and empower others to step up and lead beside you?

Quick Tip: Caring Well for Your Volunteers

Posted on by Leave a comment

Caring for your volunteers is something the majority of youth workers know they should do, but it isn’t always the easiest to accomplish. Life and work get busy. We don’t always follow up. We miss key moments.

But being busy shouldn’t be an excuse to not care well for our people. I would argue that if we are too busy to carve out time to care for our leaders, our priorities are probably out of order.

As disciples of Jesus we are called to model our lives after His. And if we look at what Jesus did in the midst of busyness, we see that He made time not only for His disciples but also for the “least of these.”

Jesus welcomed the children to himself when others tried to shoo them away. Jesus stopped to talk to the sick, hurting, and forgotten. He took time away from all the busyness to care for and pour into His disciples.

If that’s what Jesus did, shouldn’t we do likewise? We need to prioritize caring for our people and that means restructuring our schedules and priorities. It doesn’t mean not doing your job or not meeting the requirements of your position. It means putting things in their proper order and making sure you are loving and caring for your people.

So how do we do that well? Here’s a few practical steps you can take to care well for your people.

Ask questions.

I am convinced that we cannot know and therefore cannot care for our leaders if we don’t ask questions. When we ask questions we show intentionality.

I’m not advocating for hammering your leaders with deeply personal questions at youth group. But engage with them appropriately at appropriate times.

Check in and follow up.

This something that shows our intentionality and care because it’s not just asking questions but showing we are invested by following up and checking in.

We can see how our leaders are doing, if circumstances have changed, if they need anything, and what we should continue to do. When you follow up and see how they are doing, it communicates love and care that goes beyond a simple “how are you” at youth group.

See them.

Being intentional when your leaders are present is huge. Letting them know they are seen and loved is paramount to caring for them.

Yes, you should be focused on your students, but you should also be focused on your leaders and how they are doing. They are not just warm bodies but people with whom you share life. So see them, engage with them, and let them know they are valued.

Cover the tab.

Paying is a practical way of showing care when you go out with your leaders. Cover their coffee or their meal. It doesn’t have to be all the time, and of course make sure to do it within your budget and your means. But if you’re able to cover the tab periodically for them it shows love and care in a tangible way.

Pray with them.

This is something that I think we can say we will do in passing when we engage with our leaders. But I know there are times I can forget to do it.

Instead, I’d encourage you to actually pause and pray with them in the moment and then continue to pray in coming days. When we see our people and engage with them in personal and spiritual ways like this, it communicates the love and care we have for them.

Prioritize them.

Leaders are the reason we are able to do what we do. Without them, many of our ministries would not be able to function, nor care well for our students.

That means we must intentionally focus on loving and caring for our leaders throughout the week. That means prioritizing them and their needs. We don’t dismiss or devalue our students, but instead do our best to love and care for our people so they can help love and care for our students.

How do you care well for your leaders?

Quick Tip: 5 Things You Should Never Say at Youth Group

Posted on by Leave a comment

Working with students means you need to be mindful of what you say because students are always listening whether or not they seem like it. As leaders of our youth groups, we have an obligation to steward what we say and care well for our students through our words.

With that being said, I want to share with you five things you should never say at youth group. Some of these may make you chuckle and some are more serious. My hope is that this short list helps us all to be more intentional and thoughtful with our words as we seek to lovingly lead and disciple our students.

1. “Where is everybody?”

Nothing tells your students who do show up that they don’t matter more than that statement. There are always times when youth group will feel and be smaller than normal. But when we say things like “no one is here” or “where is everyone,” the students who do show up feel like they don’t matter.

Instead, we should acknowledge the students who are present, reach out to the ones who weren’t to let them know they were missed, and create a missional vision that challenges students to be ambassadors for the kingdom of God wherever they are.

2. “My spouse is so hot.”

Look, everyone who is married is attracted to their spouse. I get it! But we don’t need to awkwardly flex that to our students.

There’s a ton of purity culture indoctrination within those flex moments (think of the adage “if you stay pure God will bless you with an attractive spouse and amazing sex”). It also creates an unhealthy understanding of a relationship that is solely rooted in looks. That can cause all sorts of harm for students who struggle with body image.

It also makes things super awkward for your spouse because now they are being objectified not just by their partner but an entire youth group.

3 “Shake it off, you’ll be fine.”

As your career in student ministry progresses, you will undoubtedly deal with all types of injuries from minor scratches and boo-boos to the more severe kind that involve hospital trips and phone calls. In between those two categories are multiple types of injuries that we may be inclined to simply say, “you’re fine, rub some dirt in it.”

But the reality is we should treat every injury with importance, care, and appropriate response. It should be noted that the level of care and response will change depending on the severity of the injury. Don’t assume that a student who fell and hit their head is okay just because they say so. When a student complains about a twisted ankle don’t just toss them a couple Advil without checking it and consulting parents.

Part of being a shepherd to students is caring well for them, even when their mistakes or lack of maturity and body control cause injury.

4. “That sounds dumb” or “I don’t understand you.”

Have you ever had a student share a hobby or interest with you that just baffled you? We all have had one of those students who has been so into something it just makes you scratch your head and wonder what is happening.

Maybe you’ve had someone who is really into juggling, a student who love LARPing, or a student who just loves lifting and protein way more than they should. I know I’ve had quite a few students who have loved different things that have left me wondering what I just heard about.

But here’s the thing: if we dismiss that student or their interest, we are devaluing them and telling them they don’t have a place in youth group and the church because they have weird or unique interests.

5. “Read your Bible and pray more.”

I know we are looking to help our students grow and develop solid spiritual rhythms and maturity. And that means that yes, we should encourage them to read their Bibles and pray.

But when students come to us with difficulties, struggles, and issues in their lives, our response should not be to passively dismiss it by telling them to read the Bible more and to pray harder. Instead we should listen, help them process, create an action plan, and take the necessary steps to help them in those moments.

These are not singular moments in time, but more often than not, long term engagements that involve actively walking with and caring for your students.

What else would you add to our list of things you shouldn’t say at youth group?

5 Tips for Intentional Leader Training

Posted on by Leave a comment

We just wrapped up our fall student leader training and we are so excited for how it went and all God is going to do this year.

Historically, our leader training sessions weren’t always successful, nor were they always helpful. They used to contain the same information year after year, and they were not something leaders wanted to attend, nor were they a priority.

But that changed when we decided to make the sessions more intentional. It wasn’t an overnight change and there were some challenges in trying to create lasting and intentional change. That doesn’t mean it isn’t worth it, but instead highlights the reality that change isn’t instantaneous.

It took time and effort. It required listening and adaptation. It meant trying and being honest in determining what worked and what didn’t.

In short, creating intentional leader training takes time and thoughtfulness, but the end result is an amazing atmosphere of collaboration. It also helps to create a group of relationally-focused leaders who are growing and committed.

Today, I want to share five tips for hosting intentional leader training:

1. Create the environment.

If I am being honest, this is not something I initially considered nor am I always good at cultivating. I would focus on other aspects of training like sharing pertinent information and interactive elements.

But when a coworker asked me what my theme was for training it made me stop and think. Partly because I had no answer but also because I realized the necessity of creating a theme and environment. When our team began to theme our training, it became more of a fun and engaging environment that our leaders wanted to be a part of.

Theming doesn’t have to be a large production, but it is something you carry through your training holistically. For an example, we hosted our training with a Jaws-inspired theme. We had different take home items like stickers and squishies that were “sea” oriented. We utilized sharks and water illustrations for our slides. And we created a snack bar that had “ocean” themed snacks.

2. Have food.

This may seem trivial but food is a key part to intentional training. Food creates an atmosphere that feels warm and welcoming, and it communicates value and worth.

Think about the last time you were over someone’s house. Did they offer you food? Whenever someone offers food or drink, you feel seen, valued, and appreciated.

Hospitality is key to helping leaders feel loved and cared for, and food is one way to do this. You don’t need to cater your training, nor do you need to drop hundreds or thousands of dollars.

It could be as simple as having fruit and coffee with fun creamer flavors. It could be a cheese tray with crackers, fun candy at the tables, mocktails, or chips and dip. By bringing in food and drinks, you are communicating value and worth to your leaders.

3. Make it relational.

One of the best things you can utilize for intentional leader training is relational opportunities. This can be in how you set up the room and seating arrangements. It can also be done through creating organic times for fellowship and conversation.

This comes into play by how you interact and engage with leaders during the training. Allow for communal and conversational opportunities throughout the training whether it’s in small group breakouts, prayer times, idea sharing opportunities, games or team building, or through a Q&A time. These are just some of the ways you can utilize relational opportunities at your training.

4. Incorporate spiritual rhythms.

Training shouldn’t only be about the practical nature of working with students and the circumstances with which leaders may engage. It should also focus on cultivating a spiritual maturity and depth in their relationship with Jesus.

In order to do this, we must make sure that we are each growing in our own walk with Jesus. So taking time to engage in spiritual rhythms not only helps us to grow but also provides a revitalization and refreshment for your team.

Taking time to pray and worship together, to engage with Scripture, to practice pausing and refreshing are some of the steps you could take to help your leaders engage with Jesus during your training.

5. Make it collaborative.

Collaboration is highly important for team training. Utilizing additional voices outside of paid church staff is essential as it elevates different voices and allows them to use their gifts and expertise to help others grow and flourish.

This can be done through having others lead part of the training, or by having your team engage with one another, or by utilizing activities that allow everyone to share their ideas and tips for student ministry.

However you choose to incorporate collaboration, make sure that you don’t just hear what is said but also think through follow-up and implementation. You may hear great ideas and suggestions, but failing to act upon those ideas communicates a lack of collaboration and value to your team.

Quick Tip: Never Be Afraid to Ask

Posted on by Leave a comment

“Would you be willing to lead one of our training sessions? As an educator you would provide so much helpful information.”

“Would your company be willing to donate some items to our student ministry?”

“Are you interested in volunteering with us?”

“My workload and responsibility have increased a lot since I started. What is the possibility of me getting a pay raise?”

Have you ever asked a question like those before? I’ve asked lots of questions throughout my ministry career, but if I’m honest I shied away from asking them early in my career. I was worried that people would think I didn’t know what I was doing or was ill equipped. And that made me fearful of loosing my job because of all the horror stories I had heard.

However, the reality is that asking questions is a good thing. When you ask questions you are gaining knowledge and awareness. Questions help you to grow and mature as a leader because you are able to seek guidance and clarity.

Questions also help you to lead better because they give you the opportunity to seek help and assistance as needed. No one is an expert in everything and there is always someone who has knowledge we do not.

By asking others for assistance you can gain much by leaning into their strength and giftedness. In as much as you gain from their teaching, they are also able to lean into their gifts and use them for the kingdom of heaven.

Asking questions also empowers those you lead to see the beauty that comes from asking questions. There are others who probably are concerned that if they ask questions others may look down on them. By leading in this way you are giving them permission to ask questions and inviting them into a collaborative environment where they grow and flourish.

At the end of the day, asking questions should never be frowned upon or inhibited. Questions should be welcomed and encouraged.

If you are in an environment where questions are not welcomed, let me encourage you to seek wisdom and clarity from outside sources (mentors, coaches, other youth workers, trusted confidantes), and to create an environment within your ministry that does encourage and welcome questions. Questions are needed and beneficial and we should always ask them and welcome them.

Everyone Needs a Brian

Posted on by Leave a comment

Back in the days of NYWC I had the privilege of meeting multiple staff from Youth Specialties. One of those staff members I briefly met was Brian Aaby, but it wasn’t until I was searching for a new ministry position that I began to connect with Brian more often. He was the Director of YS Search and Coaching, and the person in charge of my search. It was then that he and I began to forge a great friendship.

That friendship deepened throughout the search and placement process but grew even deeper as he would visit with Elise and I at our home, coach me as a youth pastor, and invited me to join his cohort. Brian not only became one of our closest friends but also a confidante, a mentor, and someone who was willing to sharpen, encourage, and challenge me when needed.

Brian has been someone who has not only stood in my corner throughout my career but has also been someone to shape and strengthen who I am as a person, husband, and pastor. I can honestly say that I wouldn’t be who I am today and I may not even be in ministry if it weren’t for him.

Today, Brian has joined another one of our friends, Tim Eldred, at the Authentic Pastor. They are seeking to care for and empower pastors to be holistically healthy in their lives and careers. Together, these two are unstoppable and I am so excited for what they are doing and what comes next!

The purpose of this post isn’t to simply highlight how awesome Brian is, although I could, but instead to showcase the type of people we need in our lives. These friends may not encompass all of the following characteristics, which is totally fine. The reality is that having someone like this in your life is key to helping you grow, succeed, and flourish.

Friend.

Ministry can be lonely. Let’s just be honest about it. It can be extremely isolating even when you’re surrounded by people because they all look to you as a pastor not necessarily as a friend.

We are crafted for relationships and not having someone that you can be your authentic self around is problematic. It further isolates you and leads you toward self-dependence, which can be extremely unhealthy.

Mentor.

Everyone needs a mentor in their life. Someone who is older and wiser, who can listen to you, encourage you, offer you tips, and will walk with you through the long haul.

They are someone who will stick with you even if you switch careers or move. They will speak truth and wisdom into your life and be someone you can bounce ideas and questions off of.

Coach.

Having a coach is huge! This is someone who is trained and equipped to help ministry leaders flourish and grow. When someone can speak into your life, encourage and challenge you, and help you to grow as a pastor, leader, and person that is life changing.

This is more than a mentorship, it is someone who is pouring into you and developing you into the person God has designed you to be. A coach will lean into the refining process and walk through the fire with you. They will correct and challenge you to help you grow and mature.

These individuals are not necessarily in it for the long haul like a mentor, but instead will focus specific time and energy into helping you grow and flourish by looking into specific skill and developmental strategies.

Advocate.

There have been many times in my ministry career when I’ve been hesitant to advocate on my behalf. I’ll never forget when I was talking with Brian about the pay scale for a job I was moving into.

I asked if it was okay to negotiate because I had assumed ministry people did not ask for a higher paid grade. Brian assured me it was okay to ask to be paid what I was worth and that the worst they could do is say no.

That is only one instance where Brian helped me to advocate for myself, but he has also advocated for me to others. Brian has stood in the gap for me multiple times and I am forever grateful for that because in ministry it is hard at times to advocate for yourself.

Having someone who cares enough, is respected and measured, and knowledgeable is key as they can engage on your behalf in ways you may not be able to.

Ministry guru.

One of the best things you can do as a youth worker is find someone who has been in youth ministry and knows what they are doing to be someone you can learn and glean from. When you can learn from someone who has been there and done that, it not only helps you avoid pitfalls but it also challenges you to be a better youth pastor.

These are people who can provide insight for teaching, games, activities and events, and also be a resource if you need a speaker for a retreat or event.

Here’s the thing: Brian is a unicorn because he fits all of these things as one person. But I want to be clear that if you don’t have someone who fits all of those characteristics, it is totally fine to have multiple people in these roles.

The point of this post is simply to encourage you to have these types of people in your life because without them, ministry would be incredibly difficult, isolating, and at times defeating. At the end of the day Brian and Tim are always up for coaching and walking with people, and if you don’t have people in your life who can fit those characteristics, I know they would both be incredibly happy to talk with you and walk with you.

Trip Tricks: Staying Healthy

Posted on by Leave a comment

Round two of our summer mission trips has officially started. In fact, if you’re reading this when it drops we are out serving for our first full day! I love going on these trips with our students and leaders and watching God work in and through them.

But there’s also some unique complexities to being the primary leader on trips. You’re often the first one out of bed and the last to bed. You’re the stop gap for all issues. You have to handle all the non-stop questions. You probably don’t have great sleeping arrangements. And the food, well depending where you go and what stage of life you’re in, it could be better or worse than what you have at home.

The crazy thing is that the complexities I listed are just the tip of the iceberg. The true reality is that trips can take a toll on us for a variety of reasons. We can’t always control what those may be or when they happen, but we can be proactive and intentional in being prepared for them.

In this post, I don’t want to try and focus on all the various ways to prepare for all the things that may come up. It would be much too long and at that point ineffective. Instead, I would like to focus on how you can stay healthy during the trips you go on.

Practice good hygiene.

Let’s be real: youth trips can be gross. Everyone is running around and getting sweaty. You may be doing dirty work on mission trips. Shower situations may be less than ideal. But those things shouldn’t stop you from practicing good hygiene.

Staying healthy means taking care of your body in all aspects. So making sure to shower, wash your hands, sanitize when possible, not drinking or eating after other people, and even things like wearing slides in the shower are big difference makers. The last thing you want is some kind of illness or bug from a trip, and practicing good hygiene helps in large ways.

Make sure to eat well.

The majority of trips I have been on with students have decent food. Decent in the sense that you can eat it and not feel horrible. But they aren’t necessarily healthy or balanced.

Usually it’s a lot of carbs and meat coupled with a dessert of some kind that is designed to give energy for the activities ahead. And yes, they do provide a quick burst of energy but they don’t keep you going for the long haul especially as you get older.

So look for more healthy and balanced options. Grab a salad and veggies when you’re able. Don’t grab two desserts, or maybe pass on them all together. Eat some fruit.

Is this always easy to do at camps and on mission trips? No. But it’s one way of being intentional that will help you stay healthy in the long run.

Drink lots of fluids.

When I first started out in student ministry I drank a lot of coffee throughout the day. I usually would down an entire pot on my own and I could drink it until late in the evening without it keeping me up. I drank more coffee than water and I did it every day, even on trips.

But I noticed something on a mission trip in a humid climate: I had headaches, I was always thirsty, and I felt lightheaded. I realized I had not been drinking water and my body was not hydrated.

Hydration is huge to staying healthy because our bodies are roughly 60% water, which means we need water to function well. Water also helps our bodies to release toxins by passing them through our system and without that we are at greater risk of getting sick. So proper hydration helps to ensure you stay healthy during and after your trip.

Get decent rest.

I know, I laughed too when I wrote this. You’re probably thinking, “Proper rest on a trip?! Are you crazy?” Nope, just experienced.

I get it: I don’t sleep well on trips either. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try to. Having a time of proper rest and sleep is necessary for you to be a good leader and to stay healthy. I know it’s not easy on a camp mattress, or when the schedule lists a lights out time of 1:00 a.m., or your cabin smells like a high school locker room.

But I also know that we don’t have to pull an all-nighter and that there are things like AdvilPM and melatonin to help us sleep well. I’m simply saying that doing your best to achieve a decent time of rest and sleep will do wonders for your health and also prevent some of the crash that comes after the trip is over.

Take time to breathe.

“Nick! Hey Nick. Nick I have a question. Nickkkk!!”

Have you ever just sat in the silence after a trip to breathe? I do it all the time. I finally don’t have students constantly yelling for me or asking questions. Breathing is a good thing, but how do you do this on a trip?

One way to make sure you get space to breathe is to champion this principle with your crew. When your leadership team is on board it allows everyone space to breathe while knowing your group is still being cared for.

Another way would be to find a time where your group is otherwise occupied (team games, night games, devotional time, etc.) and give yourself the freedom to take even just a few moments to breathe and reset. These moments are key to being able to lead well as you get re-center and decompress briefly as you prepare to engage.

Be proactive.

Taking vitamin C before a trip, getting rest ahead of your departure, bringing hand sanitizer, and having the right medicines and resources for the trip will help to ensure you stay healthy. You cannot prepare for every circumstance or outcome, but being proactive and intentional will help you to stay healthy before, during, and after your trip.

Take time to refresh when you get home.

I didn’t always do this. In fact in some ministry settings the expectation was you’d be right back in the office after a trip. But it is so important to take time to recover and refresh after a trip so you can be the best version of yourself, the version God has designed you to be.

Refreshment may look different depending on your personality, but should at minimum include a nice shower, a good meal, time with family and/or close friends, and at least a full day off to decompress, process, and sleep.

Planning Ahead: Welcome Incoming Middle School Students and Families

Posted on by Leave a comment

As fall programming approaches, your ministry is probably preparing to welcome new middle school students into the ministry for the first time. For our ministry, middle school starts at 6th grade as we follow what the majority of schools in our area do.

These new students are often flying high after being the top dogs in their elementary schools but also feeling the angst and social pressure of starting fresh in a new environment. Do you remember your middle school years? If it was anything like mine, they were filled with awkward moments, societal pressures, new friendships, figuring out my identity, and of course all of the other struggles that come with being an adolescent.

We can all agree that the transition into middle school can be difficult, and with that reality in mind, we must think critically about how we can help to welcome these new students and their families into our ministries. Today I want to share with you a few successful ways we have tackled this over our time in ministry.

Begin building relationships early.

If our first touch point with incoming 6th graders is when fall programming starts, I’d argue we are missing the mark. Instead, when they are 5th graders we should be seeking to build connections with them. If we take time to step into the elementary ministry and get to know 5th graders and their families, it will help make the transition to middle school ministry easier as they will already have an established relationship.

Connect families with small group leaders.

Reaching out and letting families and students know who their small group leaders are is a great way to help 6th graders feel seen, welcomed, and valued. Encourage your leaders to reach out and build rapport with parents and students, and to consider hosting a meet up where everyone can get to know one another.

Host a summer gathering that includes incoming families.

A great way to make an intentional connection with incoming 6th graders is to host an event where they are invited and can meet other current students and leaders. Our summer programming centers around monthly events and we intentionally reach out to our incoming 6th grade families and invite them to join us.

We set apart time for the new families and students to meet their small group leaders, gather information from our team, ask questions, and to build relationships. Moments like this help new students and families build relationships and release some of the tension that comes with stepping into a new phase and ministry.

Honor and welcome them.

Kicking off fall programming is a great time to welcome in your new students and help them know that they belong. This could be through your setup and decor, praying over them in front of the youth group, hosting a special event to celebrate moving into middle school, providing a special gift and/or a special note, hosting a luncheon for students and families, or pairing them with an upperclassman who can help them acclimate to student ministry.

Be available.

One of the best things you can do for students and families is to be available. Depending on your church context, your people may not know where your office is, what your office hours are, or where programming takes place. Helping families and students know where things are and that you are available for them helps them know that they belong.

We intentionally show families where our student ministry offices are, make sure they know we are here for them, and highlight the resources we have for families. In a time of transition it is important that your students know they have a person/people who will be present and available for them.

What are some ways you intentionally welcome new families and students into your ministry?

Trip Tricks: Be Prepared

Posted on by Leave a comment

Have you ever had something unexpected happen on a trip? Perhaps it was a vehicle issue, sickness or a hospital run? Maybe allergies spiked due the work you were doing or bee stings, housing arrangements not working out, or a variety of other circumstances.

I’ve personally experienced all the above and then some during the trips I have been on. Some of these issues you can handle in kind but others require you to be prepared as best you can.

When I was newer to youth ministry I didn’t think about the “what if” situations that could happen. My inexperience didn’t make me a bad youth pastor, but it did put me at a disadvantage when certain situations arose.

Looking back now, I can see various ways I wish I was prepared to handle those moments, and I want to share them with you. I hope to help you be better prepared for, if, and when those moments happen.

Keep a level head.

This is the very first thing you must have a handle on when things go awry or not as you planned. Students and volunteers alike will reflect your energy and temperament in all circumstances. If you are acting frantic, if you are experiencing a meltdown, or you seem scared or worried, they will all respond in kind.

Instead what you should do is approach each circumstance with an even response and mild temperament. When you can pause, breathe, and collect yourself, you will be able to make informed and beneficial decisions as they are needed. It will also help your group to remain calm and not panic in the moment.

Have a good first aid kit.

A first aid kit is something I’ve always made sure to have because of the years I spent working in the security industry. First aid kits that are purchased at Walmart or Amazon don’t always have all the items you will need. Bandaids and ice packs are good things to have but you will often find yourself needing a variety of items that aren’t included in a basic kit.

What I’d recommend is checking with someone who is a nurse or EMT to find out what items you should have in a first aid kit and how many of those items there should be. Then you can create a custom kit for your trips.

Know your resources.

I’ll never forget the one time we were at a camp and had a medical emergency. A student suffered a horrible concussion and needed emergency treatment. We were sent to an urgent care facility but they weren’t equipped to handle that situation so we had to call EMS to take us to a trauma hospital over an hour and a half away.

If we had known that the hospital was where we needed to be, we could have gotten there sooner (and yes, the student’s completely fine and was released that same day). That situation taught me to know what my resources were wherever I was taking students.

If you are going on a trip it’s important to know where hospitals, doctor offices, and fire departments are. Know how to get to certain places like auto part stores and mechanics. Try to plan out rest stops, gas stations, and places to eat on longer trips. Have people back home and on your trip that you can go to with various issues (having someone who knows cars is awesome and having a nurse or doctor on the team is a wonderful thing).

Train your leaders.

Another thing that will help you to be prepared on your trips is training your leaders in a variety of situations. You can get them CPR and first aid certified. You can help equip them with how to respond during emergencies and various circumstances.

You can assign them roles for each of those moments as well. Even asking leaders to simply herd and distract students while you handle the main issue is key because it allows for you to be focused on rectifying the situation.

Being over-prepared isn’t a bad thing.

My leaders jokingly chide me about how much stuff I bring on trips and how big my backpack is. I have my own first aid kit, extra items students may need, all of my documents in case they’re needed, plenty of Advil, and basically anything else I may end up needing.

Do I always need what I pack? No. But would I rather have and not need than need and not have? You better believe it.

When I think through a trip, a ministry event, and even just regular programming, I always try to be as prepared as possible to handle whatever happens. That doesn’t mean that I’m trying to be omniscient, but instead seeking to care well for my people by being prepared and ready to jump into whatever happens.