The Rules for Youth Ministry #3: Live Your Title
We’re slowly rolling out some “Rules for Youth Ministry” to help leaders create better opportunities for discipleship through their ministry AND increase the odds for a ministry leader to stay around for a while. As Morpheus from The Matrix (for the classic movie fans out there) would say… “Some rules can be bent; others can be broken.” – so take this series as suggestions.
The Rules for Youth Ministry #3: Live Your Title
As ministry leaders, we often find ourselves leading activities or efforts that would fall under the “other duties as assigned” category on a job description. Effective leadership requires us to embrace our role with clarity and purpose, and often a title (or what the church refers to a leader as in their official capacities) can help clarify what we are supposed to do in the eyes of the congregation we serve. Whether you are a pastor, director, or ministry leader, how you and your church understand your title matters, so that everyone’s expectations have a better chance of alignment.
Directors Direct, Pastors Pastor
What does the title on your church’s website say? Director? A director’s job is to set the vision and direction of a ministry area. You get to focus on some big picture stuff, recruit volunteers, train youth leaders, and set people who care about your ministry moving in the same direction. If your church uses other language like “coordinator” you would focus more on the day-to-day operating of events and activities. Often, those terms are used for volunteer, part-time, and full-time staff. As a director, focus on the strategy of your ministry rather than micromanaging every task.
If your title includes “pastor” (pastor to youth and their families for example) your scope of work is even broader – preaching, teaching, shepherding, counseling, and sometimes more. Lean into what only you can do and know when you do not have the specialization for what a family or youth may need. In some churches, this title can cause confusion especially if there are terms like “Elder”, “Deacon”, and others that involve a formal ordination process in place within your church. Different denominations use the term pastor in different ways, but it always contains a spirit of congregationally recognized authority.
The Little Things Matter
Big moments and events have a way of persuading us that they are the engine that drives ministry – if I just get that one powerful sermon perfect; if our short-term mission project completes that house; if we have the biggest fall kickoff and community outreach we’ve ever had. Big moments in ministry are important and they can be memorable. They may even feel as if those are the only things which church leadership evaluate you on since they are so visible and tend to use so many resources. However, they are not where relationships are strengthened and trust built up. The little things add up and over time make all the difference in the world. Consider how you can be more attentive to the little things – a handwritten note of encouragement, remembering someone’s name, showing up on time, taking time to go off script and follow where the spirit seems to be leading a conversation. Small acts and regular presence build trust and credibility, allowing you to create more opportunities for transformation in discipleship.
Influence Over Control
You can’t control everything, so please don’t try. You can’t control if someone shows up or not, you can’t control what they feel or experience during a prayer service, but you can control what opportunities you offer and how you feel about the activities and events which you dedicate your time to create. Set goals for what you can measure – like how often your team meets, how regularly you communicate vision, or 3 more local service opportunities scheduled throughout the year.
Know What’s in Your Job Description (and When to Ask for Help)
Your job description exists for a reason! Trying to do everything will lead to burnout. Stay in your area of expertise, and when something falls outside of it, ask for help. Make an annual plan to sit down with church leadership and go over what is listed in the job description. You may be surprised at what needs to be added or subtracted from those expectations.
Keep Track of Your Time
Once every six months, make a time log. Break down how you spend your hours in ministry in 30-minute increments, and document the tasks, programs, or relationship-building you accomplish during those times. Are you spending too much time in meetings and not enough with people? Are administrative tasks taking over your preaching prep? Do you get stuck in social media unintentionally? Do you blend personal and work time? This activity will keep you on track to put in the hours you are supposed to and get the most out of those hours.
Don’t Live in a Bubble
It’s easy to get caught up in church life, or even worse, only see your ministry area and forget how your congregants interact with each other and other ministry areas. Take time to connect with other ministry leaders within and outside your church, discover ways that you might partner or support each other’s efforts. Ensure you have time to be part of the broader community as well, participating in activities and events where you can be a participant and not a leader.
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