10. Thou shalt be thineself.
Don’t be fake, extra cool or someone you’re not. Kids can smell a phony from miles away and will immediately discount you for it. They don’t even care if you know all the latest music, have an outgoing personality or if you’re 60 years old. What they want is someone who’s real, who’s authentic and willing to be vulnerable, who admits weaknesses and mistakes, who’s excited about them and who’s passionate about God.
9. Thou shalt not be a solo act.
Don’t build the ministry around yourself. If you do, the ministry dies when you leave. Focus on building and training solid volunteers who can do ministry just as effectively as you can. Function as an adult team leader even more than you function as a youth leader. You can’t possibly reach every kid in your community, but with a strong team of qualified individuals, you multiply yourself and your reach goes a lot further than it would otherwise.
8. Thou shalt be flexible.
Small group discussions will go in more important directions than you originally anticipated, plans will change at the last minute, volunteers won’t show up and a thousand other things will remind you that you’re not in control of your ministry. Be flexible when things change and approach these unforeseen situations with grace and a positive attitude.
7. Thou shalt communicate as often as possible.
Informed people are usually supportive people. Communicate well and often with your Sr. Pastor, other staff members, parents, students, volunteers and your spouse! Sharing ideas and plans will eliminate a lot of unnecessary problems. Furthermore, communicating struggles and ministry complications with your pastor on a regular basis will save your back and maybe even protect your job when a situation blows up. (I’ve experienced this first hand.) It also builds trust and an atmosphere of teamwork.
6. Thou shalt evaluate criticism said privately in love.
Many people can see things you can’t and have great insight into the ministry. Take heed and respond accordingly, but be careful about what’s thrown around in gossip or said with a negative attitude. Don’t let it discourage you from continuing to serve the Lord the best way you know how. If it’s said privately in love for the benefit of the ministry, then it might be worth listening to.
Next week you can finish reading The Ten Commandments in this same site.
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This article has been summarized from Tim Schmoyer’s site www.studentministry.org and is included here by his permission. For the complete article please visit his site.