BLOG

Do you have an office? If so, what does it look like?

How would a visitor feel once they walk in?

How would a student feel?

How about a parent?

Here's the bottom line of this blog post: 

I've been a part of lots of youth minister circles and social media groups in which youth ministers complain of not being taken seriously. They argue that the church leadership sees youth ministers as fun-loving entertainers. Others see them as event coordinators. And some youth ministers are not even considered as ministers or pastors. This treatment also comes from parents and teens themselves. What have we done to deserve this?

Well, for one, I'd like to challenge all youth ministers to challenge the status quo. That's right. I'm going to be in your face in this blog post, but remember that I'm on your side.

Here we go...

Stop making your office an extension of your personality. Sure, it's fun to decorate your office with a bunch of Star Wars memorabilia or...

Before we begin, please click on the following link, watch the 4-minute video, and come back here to continue reading (I'll wait): SNL Substitute Teacher Sketch

Did you watch it? Be honest...

Okay...

As youth workers, we often believe we need to relate to our students and/or parents in order to effectively minister to their needs. While being able to relate is a great connecting point with a student, it is not always necessary.

Disclaimer: I am not writing about Relational Ministry. If you do not build a relationship with the students in your ministry, you need to realize the importance of this. What I am writing about is the attempt to relate (to identify with through experience).

First, let me begin by addressing two things from the video you saw (or should have already seen) above.

1. Don't try too hard
2. Be your authentic self

Look, in case you didn't or couldn't watch the video, it's about a substitute teacher who comes into an English class and...

Here are some social media tools for you to use in order to reach parents & students in your ministry. I currently use these tools for organization, task delegation, connections, and to build a following in my youth ministry. Some are FREE, others are PAID. I recommend you budget these in for 2017! They're worth it!

1. Meet Edgar: This is my go-to social media scheduler. Unlike regular post schedulers, with Meet Edgar, you simply place your different social media posts into category buckets. Edgar offers a few different options (like Blogs, Inspirational, Funny, Promotional, Tips, etc.). You can also create your own categories. You then select how often you want Edgar to post onto the three different social media apps they currently offer: Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin. I love the fact that I can drop in or create a slew of social media posts and pretty much not worry about posting every day myself. It's kind of like that rotisserie cooker that came out a few years...

Being a Youth Minister/Pastor is a tough job. It can be a lonely ministry position where your role is diminished by people who think you only entertain students once a week or just keep them out of trouble for a few years.

But, that's not the biggest frustration. 

Want to know what is?

The biggest frustration in youth ministry comes after serving students, walking alongside them, preaching sermons, researching and using all kinds of Gospel-sharing styles and tools, trying to prepare them for life after high school, sharing stories in hopes to help them navigate through life's tough times, visiting them at school, showing up to their games, decorating youth rooms, putting retreats together, and facilitating meaningful conversations...

...and then they walk away from their faith, the church, Jesus, and break off all communication with you. Sometimes, they even make decisions that cause you to question whether they ever listened to anything you said. 

Of course,...