“So, you’re going to be a Junior next year?” the conversation began with Chris, one of the youth workers at the church I was serving as a summer interim. Actually, I was a college graduate who had completed a year of seminary. And this volunteer, someone I was supposed to be leading for the summer, thought I was still in high school. Calling the young to lead their elders is proof of God’s sense of humor! All of us start out there. How can you be effective leading a staff with more wisdom and experience than you?
Continue Reading…
October 23, 2012
Leading Volunteers Older than You
July 25, 2012
Why Church Staff Shouldn’t Drive the Church Bus
I’m a youth ministry volunteer. One of the things that I see all the time that drives me crazy is youth leaders driving the bus for the their own events.
Hopefully, you have access to a church bus or van. I have friends at churches who don’t own any type of transportation—bus or van. It makes ministry very hard having to arrange transportation for every event. America’s #1 Church Bus Dealer Carpenter Bus can help you find the right bus for your church.
It is a common joke that the youth minister is the church’s jack-of-all-trades. The one who can and does everything. Pastor. Teacher. Counselor. Worship Leader. Custodian. Mechanic. Bus Driver. This is only funny because it tends to be true in many churches.
July 23, 2012
I Am a “Youth Worker”
I am a “youth worker.” I don’t like how that sounds. I’m not a dictator or a tyrant over youth. Nor am I their taskmaster.
Since I work with teenagers, I am a “youth worker.” I prefer to think of myself as a friend, adviser, advocate, guide, or mentor.
Basically, this is the blog of a someone who volunteers in a local church with students. Some of what I talk about will be specific to working with teenagers. Most of what I blog about will be about being a volunteer.