Are you a fan of the underdog? I love stories of people who overcome obstacles. I’m drawn to the team that comes from nowhere to win it all (Hoosiers is still one of my favorite movies). I am moved by inspirational stories of those that couldn’t or shouldn’t that now have done something fantastic.

As I have matured and learned from my own mistakes, failures and successes I find myself more drawn to help develop others as they strive forward in their ventures. One “developmental” opportunity that I am specifically excited about is the upcoming YS 101 Collaborative which launches in April. This is an intentional seven-month coaching collaborative for those newer to youth ministry or in a new role. I love that I am going to team with others to help (what some would see as) underdogs become champions in kingdom work.

Though the 101 hasn’t started, I thought I would write a post as if I were talking to a participant and answering the question “what  strategic things should I be doing now in March to help with long term ministry success?”  Here are three quick tips.

1. Dates & Rates

If you haven’t already, ALL of your major events for the next six months of ministry should be known by students, leaders and parents. Summer camps, missions or retreat dates should be known by January or February (at the latest). So now, let’s focus on the fall—perhaps you have a fall camp or D-NOW coming in September? Let your ministry people know now what dates they should be reserving and what rate (fee) will be charged.

2.   Develop Now What You Want 6 Months From Now

Though you’re still putting the finishing program touches on your spring and are fundraising for summer missions, the fall program is only 6 months away. Have you thought about the incoming class of middle schoolers or high schoolers? Who will be leading those new small groups? It is wise to start recruiting and developing leaders now so that they are prepped and ready for the fresh start in the fall.

3.   Direct (and redirect) People To The Why

Do people know the reason why you do what you do? For me, I want lost people to come to know Jesus as Lord. I do youth ministry because ultimately I believe students can and should be the best missionaries the US has ever seen. Your why could be different than mine— If you haven’t already, work your why into your next message, your next email and your next leader training… and then do the same next week, the week after… rinse and repeat.

There ya have it: Dates, Develop and Direct, three quick tips for success in your youth ministry game…After all, it is March and for those NCAA hoop fans, March Madness is about to begin and the underdog success stories are about to surface. May yours be one of them.

Brian

P.S. If you haven’t yet, please check out our 101 Collaborative— I’d love to have you are someone you know as a part of this program. Two onsite retreats, 5 months of online coaching and a FREE registration to the National Youth Workers Convention in Memphis! A can’t miss!

Water? Check. 

Batteries? Check. 

Candles? Check.

Non-Perishable Food Supply? Check.

Whether it be “Storm Watch 2017” or preparing for “The Big Earthquake” we all know the importance of being prepared ahead of time. If the storm/calamity hits you will be thankful that you were ready. You’ll only regret not doing it if the need arises and you’re not adequately supplied.

Similarly as a Youth Pastor/Director the best time for you to prepare for what’s next is when there actually is no need at all!

Prepare For The Next Position While You’re Happy In Your Current Role

A change in the economy, church leadership, calling or being presented a fantastic new challenge (among many other reasons) may be “the big one” in the life of a Youth Pastor— being prepared in some specific ways before you need to be will help propel you to what’s next.

As the Director of YS Search I deal with scores of churches who are looking for new personnel (most commonly Youth Pastors, but also Children’s, Family, Worship, and other roles.). Though there are certainly more, I can say there are three essential ways a person can prepare for a future opportunity before they even know an opportunity is out there.

Have A Teaching Video

About 25% of the applicants I do interviews with have a video of their teaching, yet nearly 100% of the churches I do placements for require it (though some will settle for audio).

Before you NEED to capture a video (because you’ve thrown your name in the hat elsewhere) or before it’s TOO LATE to capture video (because you’ve resigned or been let go) you should prioritize capturing some film.

As a general practice I believe it is essential that a youth pastor video him/herself in order to self-assess teaching, style and presentation. Capturing video of yourself when you’re not looking for a job is the best time to do it— you’re the most relaxed, you are teaching/shepherding “your” group and your motivation for capture is truly to improve your skills.

Keep Your Resume Updated

Keeping the most pertinent and up-to-date information on your resume will help you if the need ever does arise. Instead of creating a resume out of need (looking to prove your worth) spend a little time each year around the new year updating it (graphically, copy, etc.). Here is a link to a previous blog post I wrote where I talk about specifics of resume writing.

Take A Personality Assessment

I’m an “ENTJ,” “Strategic,” a “high D” and an “Advance” person. Though these may mean nothing to you, these are samples of results from personality assessments I have taken. Not only were these assessments great for my own self-awareness, these have given me language to help better explain who I am and given me insights into my motivations, strengths and possible blindspots.

An assessment does not define you (put you in a box), but it may help you (or a current/future employer) better understand some of what makes you tick and I believe it is a great tool to have to help you improve in your current role or an asset to use when discovering whether a future opportunity is a good fit. On a personal note, my favorites have been Strengths Finder and MCore. 

Capturing video, keeping your resume updated and learning valuable insights through personality assessment will only help to improve your current status, but could very easily pay future dividends when a new opportunity presents itself!

The 2016 National Youth Workers Convention has come and gone, fortunately for me I have some pictures that will remind me of some special moments for years to come! Here are a few of those moments and what they represent.

Time With Future Youth Leaders! A group of students from Colorado Christian University reached out before the conference to inquire about doing a lunch together. In addition to a great Fajita Salad Elisabeth and I were able to answer the fantastic questions these soon-to-be Youth Pastors asked. The depth and variety of questions gave me great hope for the churches that will someday call these men and women.

Josh Griffin and me at his 101 seminar

The YS 101 Track– Ministry Essentials! I was able to curate and lead a new track at NYWC this year, title YS 101. The idea came  directly out of our YS Coaching appointments (shout out to our awesome YS Coaches) the last two years. Youth leaders are hungry to get back to the basics of youth ministry. We offered six different 101 seminars (one at each seminar block) and each one was well-attended. Doug Fields, Sean Meade, Heather Flies, Duffy Robbins, Josh Griffin and I each facilitated one of these seminars. What excites me even more is that the 101 Track at NYWC is only the launching point of something much larger happening through YS, a 101 initiative that will offer 101 Training all-year! I got to share about this on Saturday in the Big Room, and I can’t wait to get the word about the 101 Collaborative.

Celebrating My Wife’s Birthday with Friends and Rend Collective! One of my favorite text messages came on Sunday afternoon when Elisabeth was at the airport waiting to fly home one-day ahead of me, “I love that we got to do NYWC together; I really like your friends and love that they are becoming my friends too!” Saturday was her birthday and we got to celebrate it in style– by hanging out with Rend Collective and enjoying the way the led nearly 3000 people in worship! Earlier in the day I was honored to do an Idea Lab interview with Chris and Gareth from Rend as well! Most of all I loved, loved, loved having my birthday-bride with me at NYWC!

Heather Flies in Big Room

There are so many other things that stood out– like Heather’s message on Sunday, an Idea Lab and hangout time with Tic, time with our coaches, my pre-convention and post-convention time with Fred and of course all the other people I get to hang out with during NYWC! Okay.. I’ll stop… until next year! Thanks for the memories NYWC!

A little post Idea Lab hangout with Tic Long

Fred and I do the pregame shopping

Several years ago, I participated in a multi-generational mission trip to India. As our young students boldly shared before large groups of people there, they would commonly begin by saying, “I’d like to thank you guys for inviting us to come to your country.”

Unfortunately, since the English pronunciation of the word “cow” sounds quite similar to the Hindi pronunciation of the word “gaay”, what our audiences heard was, “I’d like to thank you cows for inviting us to come to your country.” It’s important to tailor your message to your audience! And we tried, but breaking American teenagers of the habit of using “guys” proved near impossible!

I recently received a text from a younger youth pastor whom I’ve coached, asking for advice in tailoring a message to middle school students. I love working with middle school students, but I know that for some people, middle school feels like a foreign country! But in the same way, understanding your audience and appreciating their culture will help you tailor a message that moves them. Here are four ways you can prepare and deliver a message that will MOVE middle schoolers:

YOU MOVE: There is virtually nothing static about a middle school student. There shouldn’t be anything static about your talk. Make sure that you are moving as you communicate with middle schoolers. Walk forward toward your audience, or from one side of the stage to the other; kneel or sit down to draw your audience’s attention to a new place on the stage; extend your arms to make a point. Movement doesn’t need to be unnatural in any way, and shouldn’t distract from your message. Done well, movement on the part of the speaker can help keep your middle school audience connected and focused.

THEY MOVE: Along the same lines, getting your audience to move in some form or fashion is effective as well. I may throw in a quick question with instructions to “stand up if you’ve ever _____” or ask the audience for a round of applause after a student has shared (clapping acts as a stimulus). Middle schoolers need to move. Giving them opportunity to do so within the context of listening can actually refocus and refine their attention.

BE MOVING: Be passionate about your subject. Middle school students want to hear your story as it relates to THE story (of God). As you share from the Scripture, make sure you talk about how God is transforming you. There is a fine line between being moving and seeking to manipulate… be truthful, be honest, but invite students to see the active movement of God in your life.

INVITE THEM TO A MOVEMENT: I believe the best way to put an exclamation mark on a good middle school message is to invite a student to action (movement). Give them something simple, practical and doable. Sometime this movement can be specific, like an invitation to “come to this service project,” but I believe the most effective movements are the ones the students initiate, after being inspired and invited to dream and to do!

As you get to know your audience, take some new risks in your talks. Put these four movements into action. Just don’t call them cows!

A few years ago I wrote “An Open Letter to The Departing Youth Pastor” that became my most read blogpost ever. Because of that and the sheer volume of conversations I have about the subject of change in ministry, I decided to pitch a seminar to Youth Specialties a couple years ago.

Last week was the Youth Specialties National Youth Workers Convention in San Diego, CA. On top of other responsibilities, I led the seminar entitled, Leading In Transition. 

Because leadership change is inevitable, a good number of attendees likely came to the seminar wondering if NOW is the time for transition? Some were there because change has recently taken place and they were starting afresh. A third category of attendee was present as well– the volunteer carrying the load through the transition. During the seminar we spent time addressing each of the following:

• How do I know it’s time to leave, and how do I do this well?
• How do I start strong in a new ministry?
• In the midst of change, how do we keep students the focus?

I was blown away by the number of people who attended the seminar. Every chair was filled and a good number of others chose to stay and sit on the floor or cram the doorway.

I think the highlight for me was at the end when a good 15-20 people stuck around to ask specific questions and/or ask for the notes. These private conversations led to many-an-email-address exchange and the opportunity to help scores of people outside the context of the convention.

By my observation, the majority of the people were most interested in the things they need to prioritize as they start in ministry.

I am blessed to be part of the YS family. What I did at NYWC I believe only scratches the surface of what I hope to do with churches as they partner with us for either YS Search or for YS Coaching. Because change is inevitable, we simply want to be an outside resource who can perhaps help provide perspective and insights! If you know of a church who we could help, please spread the word!

I’d love to see you at the Louisville NYWC, where once again I’ll be part of the free coaching offerings and will be able lead the Leading In Transition seminar again! Get registered, November 19-22 in Louisville, KY!

I’m of the belief that there are some who are just naturally intuitive in how to lead a small group, but a much larger portion of the youth ministry leadership population need some training and experience; either way, I hope these quick ideas may be a blessing to you and your leadership of a small group.

Opening Questions: Because the goal of a small group is often community, take some time to get everyone to talk so that when the conversation gets a little more serious, all participants will already feel more comfortable speaking. [Questions like “If you had to be in an existing reality TV show, which one would you choose? Why?]

Don’t Rescue The Silence (too quickly): Leaders/Facilitators often fear silence. When you ask a question, don’t rescue the group by providing the answer; some are processors and are willing to speak, but just need time to form their thought (likewise, don’t correct the answer, even when wrong, rather, ask the rest of the group, “what do you all think of that answer?”).

Know Where You’re Going, But Allow Alternative Routes: If you’re studying a passage (or using a curriculum) know the major areas you want to touch on, but know that your group may have an alternative route to get to the destination. Allow for rabbit trails (some of the best learning can take place by allowing students to ask questions or tell stories that take you a different direction).

People Watch: Shepherding a group requires great attention to the dynamics of those gathered. Notice the silent one (he or she may be screaming something by their non-verbals). Pay attention to those who sit together and those who may seem to avoid each other– catching these things early (and naming them privately) may lead to greater dynamics later.

Change-Up: Every so-often break the routine and do something completely different. For me, this means I take the group on an experience instead of just doing regular group [examples: meal night, people watching project at a mall, serving project, athletic event of someone in the group].

Speak It Into Existence: There are times when a group simply needs to hear that you love them and believe in them (even when they are acting unlovable). You give permission to them by naming the fact that you love being with them and that you see them maturing.

Keep It A Safe Place: Unfortunately just about every environment a student enters has the potential for harm. You have the opportunity to establish a group as a place of refuge! Encourage them to avoid the foolish chatter & jokes and establish an affirmation environment.

What other quick tips do you have for successful small group leadership?

During some of the 2015 weekends I will play a little catch-up from 2014 (I took a one-year blog writing sabbatical).

One highlight from the summer of 2014 was the transition into working with the younger students at Faith (my church). For a couple years I worked with the college age students. We encountered a bit-of-a-storm as an overall church, which caused me to pour more time into eldering/consulting. During this time I sort of faded away from that hands on ministry with the young adults.

Last summer I jumped back in with the youth group and had a blast building relationships with these great students.

By fall I was co-leading the 7th grade guys! My hope is that I’ll get to stick with these guys all the way through (and beyond) their graduation! It’s been a blast. A few snaps of the time thus far.

Yes, I know that three quarters of the country was in a deep freeze at the time I wrote this post. But in our part of the country the sun is out, the lawnmowers are already humming and spring is in the air.

Houses will soon be on the market as many potential sellers are looking to improve the curb appeal of their home.
Similarly in the youth ministry world, spring often seems to be a time for change. How’s your curb appeal? Whether you’re being pursued by a church, graduating soon and prepping for the job hunt or you’re simply one who always want to be prepared— your curb appeal is found in your resume.

In some ways I am a bit like relator. Instead of assessing the curb appeal of a home, I have to quickly judge the curb appeal of a resume. In my role as Director of YS Search, I get to help churches find the right personnel for their open ministry position (think E-Harmony for the church and youth pastors). After the opportunity profile (for the church) has gone live (hundreds listed on the YS Job Bank), I begin to receive inquiries from scores of interested applicants. This is where I begin to look at the curb appeal of the minister.

Similar to the curb appeal of a house, the judgement of a resume is completely subjective. I will simply point out a few of the things that I believe help the curb-appeal of a resume.

• Use the resume to tell your primary ministry story (a reverse timeline, listing most recent/current experience first).
• When listing your employment, don’t just list all the duties/responsibilities (readers know the main duties of a Youth Pastor already), list the specific accomplishments which happened while you were serving (i.e. “preached in main church service eight to 10 times a year”  or “established parent meetings on a quarterly basis which grew from five in attendance to 45 on average by year three”).
• When listing jobs, don’t list irrelevant positions; on ministry resumes only list ministry positions held (even if it was as a volunteer) or jobs which were in a similar field.
• A small section listing your hobbies, passions or personal interest usually adds a bit of character and personality (but keep it short/appropriate).
• Education does matter (list your highest level completed), but few resume readers are interested in course titles or weekend seminars you’ve attended.
• Proof it, proof it, proof it again and then have someone else proof it (typos and small mistakes kill)!
• One page resumes are ALWAYS the ones I like most. Remember, it’s curb appeal, not an interview and/or an essay.

I am certain that when purchasing a home, my wife and I passed by several homes that were gems on the inside— it’s just too bad the owners didn’t put just a little more effort into the curb appeal, we could have discovered the true worth.

Want to talk resume or how to better prep for a ministry position? Don’t hesitate to reach out to me!

Because I took a full year off from blogging, there were a number of things that I truly missed posting about. So, I figured, from time to time I’ll play a little catch up!

One HUGE highlight of 2014 was my Daddy/Daughter trip with Halle.

Background: At age 5 each of our kids was able to go on a trip to Disneyland with Mommy. All three of our kids made special memories with Elisabeth as they sort of put a capstone on that prior-to-school age of life.

At age 12 each of our kids gets to pick a place in the United States where they get to go with Daddy. Kid-choice, really cool. This was something that Elisabeth’s Dad did with their three kids and a tradition that I was all-too-happy to carry on!

Similar to age 5, we feel like we are capping off an era (elementary age) and launching a new stage of our relationship with our kids, young adulthood!

So in June, Halle and I used airline miles and Expedia (condo and car package deal) to spend five nights and six days in Kapaa, Hawaii. Wise choice Halle!

I cherished every minute of that trip.

If you’re a parent, consider doing something like this (doesn’t matter where you go, even if it is just a series of daytime activities out of our own home). We laughed a lot. We had silly conversations and deep meaningful conversations. We built memories that I will forever thank God for!

Perhaps you’ve heard the phrase “every party needs a pooper, that’s why we invited you!” Every now and then I feel like my social media feed has a lot of party poopers invited.

• 5 Reasons People Are Leaving The Church
• 7 Signs That Your Ministry is Failing
• The Top 3 Things Your Pastor is Doing Wrong!

Instead of a Debbie Downer post, I would like to share a few things going well in student ministry. As Director of YS Search and YS Coaching I am afforded the opportunity to spend time at churches around the country. I listen to parents, students, search teams and youth leaders. I get to sit in on staff meetings, grab coffee with senior pastors and guest speak for groups. I am honored to help churches prepare for new personnel and get to work with great youth ministers seeking new opportunities.

Of course I do see some of the tough stuff, but I’ll tell you, in general, I am encouraged by the hopes, dreams and reality of what’s happening! Here’s a snapshot:

1. Outward Faced Ministry. There is a strong desire for youth ministry to be more outward faced. Leadership is expressing a strong desire to see youth leader return to the campus and to empower students to share the good news through relationship and service. Yes, churches want a strong youth ministry program (solid weekly “group”) but I am hearing much more about students getting into the community instead of expecting community to be found only in the group.
2. Leadership Redefined. I believe student pastors (and their teams) understand that “leadership” is not just what’s done upfront. Youth leaders have grasped the idea that we are to nurture gifts, skills and passions— and these attributes are not always used upfront. One body, many parts (1 Corinthians 12) is becoming a reality in many of the groups I have been able to observe and students with gifts in mercy, administration and helps are able to shine!
3. Collaboration and Networking. It seems there is less pride and more self-awareness in church and youth leadership. I see student pastors asking one another for help. Whether it is within a denomination or simply in a local community, there seems to be a greater collaborative effort (networking) to reach and empower teens to use their gifts. Sometimes it’s just refreshing to hear someone say, “we don’t have the answer, but we’re willing to risk, listen and learn.”
4. Return to Scripture. I have heard many times “our students are Biblically illiterate.” Perhaps for too long we (youth leaders) have taught moral behavioralism where we thought we were teaching a Bible lesson? I find it refreshing that I hear youth leaders, parents and pastors talking about teaching the Bible. My prayer is that we communicate well the living Word in such a way that teaches context and content while at the same time engages our students so that they draw conclusions as to how the Spirit is leading them to live out the Truth.

What are your observations? Do you see other things going well in your neck of the woods? Dare you to not be a party pooper!