Lucas on Leadership

For the last few months, I have been examining and re-examining what our midweek and weekend programs look like. I have come the conclusion that I need to do a better job at leading people. I believe that any decent leader would say that about himself/herself, but I am quite serious when I say this about myself. I have found that the leaders that I shepherd need to catch on the vision of why we do middle school ministry. The answer to the that question would certainly be the catalyst that has been missing. Here's a couple quick thoughts from the inside of my head:

1. Leaders need to understand sacrifice. It is one thing to teach a bible study, but to purposely invest time and energy into the lives of students requires some sort of sacrifice. That is not to say that volunteers need to give there entire lives to middle school ministry- that's not what I'm saying. What I do mean is that, we need to have a purpose of why we want to "do life" with middle schooler students. It boils down to this: students see that sacrifices we make and the one's we don't.
2. Leaders need to understand complacency. Because it worked before does not mean it will be a hit the second time around. In today's ADD world, students can take and leave purposeful elements just as the wind blows. I have come to understand that complacency is a disastrous safety blanket that plagues many youth workers. We become "too" comfortable in midweek/weekend programs, and that's when things become stagnate. Students hate stagnated elements. This partially is not their fault (they do live in world where everything and everyone wants things done in a nanosecond), yet programming should not be built upon an ADD mentality. I am reminded that when things get to comfortable, that's a sure sign to shake some things up.
   
3. Leaders need to understand care. Care comes in many forms (remembering a name, making that phone call, remember the student period!) It's amazing how we can think and care for students based upon a schedule "Sunday...it's my day to talk with students..." Care is a sacrifice and should be based upon complacency. Students need adults that pray for them throughout the week, show up at their ballgames, take for some Starbucks, pray for their parents, remember what makes them laugh, remember what makes them cry. A leader knows (cares) for their students. Note that care and knowing a student are two different things. I can know a student, but care signifies shepherding and love. It screams "you are worth my time."
4. Leaders need to understand rest. One reason leaders/youth workers get burnt out is because of the lack of rest. They spend too much time giving and fail to re-charge themselves with the presence of God. We do all of this "youth ministry" stuff, and almost fail to have that special time with Him. we can not lead students down a path we have never been before. How can we tell students to read there bibles when we are ourselves don't? How can we tell our students to have a healthy prayer life, when the only time we talk to God is when we remember to? Finding rest in the Lord is crucial to leading students. Note that students can see a fake and when they do, the chances of them opening up and really allowing you to care for them becomes somewhat impossible.
   

Youth Ministry Turf Wars

My question is this: would you engaged/develop a program to reach students (let's say skaters) if you know that another church in town also has similar ministry? For example, I have been throwing around an idea of outreaching to students at local skate parks. I have leaders willing to take this and run with it. But, I know that another youth ministry in town already does the same thing, and (from what I hear) does a good job. Should I trash the idea, for fear of stepping on someone's toes?

Your thoughts?

The Question of the day

This thought has been surfacing through general reflection and some wonderful conversations I had this week; How do we (the church) show what a man is worth in ministry? This question could simply bring nothing but implications based upon a person's perspective or position. But, truly I desire to hear from those who read this. How is a man's worth judged? And what is the church's role in this? As I look at the life of Paul and as I study his ministry, these questions surface. Let the responses commence...

Great Article!!!

Just received my new issue of Group Magazine. Inside they have a great article about "Full-Time ministry on a part-time schedule." READ IT!!!!!

Creating Care Systems

So I have been thinking about this concept of care systems within student ministry. Last week Mike Lovato and I talked about this issue in the context of middle school ministry. The thoughts that I am mulling over is: what is a care system and what does it look like to a middle school student? Mike posed a great question "what would happen if God sent 60 kids to the Refinery tonight?" That question has been keeping me from sleeping for the last week. What does care look like with 60 students? Maybe a better question that I should be asking is "what does a caring adult look like?" Here are some basic thoughts (and I do mean basic):

1) Students needs consistent leaders

Within today's times, students live in world where everything is changing faster than you can change a song on an ipod. Often this rears its ugly face in ministry when leaders are unwilling to commit to love and care for students. Students see when we are there for them, and when we are there for our resume. In a world where the family dynamic of students is divorce, simply being present creates an environment that should love. This creates care.

2) Students need different leaders

I have an intern his name is Chris, and Chris is a rock star. He is an talented guitar player and seems to know what's going down in the music industry. He connects with students who often share the same hobbies and passions as he does. Having different types of leaders with different types of personalities helps create an environment that fosters care by having that "one leader" that some students connect well with. I thank God that we have Chris or a Phil, and a Danielle to help foster care to our students. All of our leaders have different personalities, that means they connect with students that I normally don't connect to and visa versa. To have a successful ministry (I think) we need to surround our students with caring adults that love students, but are willing to allow God to use others as well. It's okay if don't connect with everyone, just as long as you have someone on your team that can.

3) Care is more than just Sunday and Wednesday thing

Students like phones calls, postcards, and smiles when you see them at church. They love when yo remember prayer requests and their birthdays. They will remember those times when you took them to Starbucks or Castle Park for their birthdays. Students need leaders to care for them outside of the program schedule. I believe most of the impact that students receives is from the simplest forms of care; a smile, a hug, a high-five, showing up at their ballgames.

I ask you this: what does care look like for you, and how do keep that care system going? Let me know what your thoughts are...God be with you

Lessons from Captain Jack Aubrey

As I sat and did absolutely nothing yesterday (I am still without transportation), I decided to watch Maser and Commander that nautical movie starring Russell Crowe. I must confess that this is one of my all time favorite movies. Not so much as I love nautical movies, but mainly from the elements of leadership one can gleam from it. Here's a couple things I gained from watching and analyzing this movie:

1) People often need a leader and not a friend.

This statement can easily offend someone, and I agree with it but not in its entirety. The people who we lead need a leader sometimes more so than they need for us to be that friend. This is to say that the need to be relational is also extremely relevant. This can sometimes cause one to easily dissociate leading and friendship as two separate elements. For example, is it possible to let a person who is a friend get away with something that you wouldn't allow others to do? Would you pass off the disciplinary action to circumvent the friendship? Please do not mistake me here, people need a leader who care about them personally, but will communicate itself by leading.

2) Respect must be given.

How many times have we disrespected a person due to his or her position? I have done this many times. In Master and Commander there is a character that is not respected by the men he is given to govern. Why is that (see #1 for the answer)? This man was more concerned about being a friend and earning respect, when it should have been given regardless. That's where the men of the ship failed in their duty. "Failed him fellowship" is what was said. These men disregarded the position that was given to Hollom the midshipman. You see, it doesn't matter who we think should be in leadership, or whether we think we can do a better job. What matters is that God has placed certain people in the position of leader for various reasons. We can go our entire lives and really never understand why. Nevertheless, when the day is over, we must show respect to those who govern us.

3) A leader is required to make tough choices.

I have mentioned this concept before in previous blog entries. A leader is required to make decisions that proper for the mission at hand. This concept is well represented in the film where Captain Aubrey is forced to cut the lines that a fellow shipmate is holding on to, thus releasing this shipman to the sea. Not only is this a tough choice, but he had the brother of the man-over-board help cut the lines. In ministry we sometimes must make choices like this. One of my favorite things to say to people is "student ministry is never easy, and if it is; you're not doing something right."

4) Arguing for arguing sake.

Do you know someone what always has to have a better answer? Or disagrees with you just to disagree? In leadership and even in the film, the chain of command always regards the direction and orders of the captain as final. They discuss and strategize, but when the captain gives the order, they preform with excellence and without delay. I find it appropriate to often discuss about the direction of ministry and sometimes the motives. But, I would never argue another point just to secure a position that doesn't exist.

I find it fascinating that God places certain people in certain leadership positions. Ministry reminds me much of a ship. Everyone has there part to play, and in order to have a well ordered ship, everyone must know their place. There will come a time when promotions will happen just like in the film (hooray for Mr. Pullings!) and a time of conflict. However, we must never forget the ultimate captain we serve.

Thoughts on Middle School Ministry

This week we kick off the new school year. With free pizza and good promotion this Wednesday should be fun. Although, I can't help but think of a few things that keep me awake at night.

1) Students and their connections with us
One of the most difficult realizations in ministry is that we don't connect with every student in our ministry. I dealt with this fact many years ago. Now I see others dealing with it. What is funny to me is the "if they don't don't connect with me, they don't connect with anyone" mentality. Just because a student doesn't connect with us in the way we think they should doesn't mean that they are a lost cause or can't connect with others; that is a selfish perspective. I know a student in particular, who seems not to connect with his bible study leader. The leader knows this student from another church program. Does this create a default to which a student has to connect to the leader, and would it a terrible thing if they connected with another leader, even though the bible study leader has known them more than the connected leader?

Another issue is that fact that students don't often connect with us in the way we think they should. Middle school students are shrouded in ambiguity. They are never the same, yet we often want them to be predictable. If this is your die-hard belief...run from student ministry! Students are constantly changing, and we should jump for joy that we have leaders that connect with students.

2) Middle School Student Leadership
Some people would see this as a lost cause, but see this a developing tool. Middle school students are very much capable of leadership. Just because they are sometimes selfish, flaky, and squirrelly, does not mean that they are not worth the effort. I have seen some of the most self-sacrificing attributes from middle school students. They are an untapped resource.

3) Leadership motives
What motivates leaders? That question is what has kept me without sleep for months. What do leaders want? How do we address impure motives (ie. selfishness)? To be effective we need to have everyone on the same team. Seems simple enough. But what about that one who wants more, or forgets about the learning process. For me, leadership motivates me to be effective, consistent, and intentional. In order to seek such things I must LEARN!!! I can never stop learning. I can be a youth pastor for 16+ years and still understand nothing. This motivates me to learn and understand more. Nevertheless, learning has no end, and anyone who says different is selling something to you.

I have found through my learning that selfish motives will destroy a ministry or keep it from growing. We must guard ourselves from such deceit.

(Please Note: this blog is in no way a representation of a person(s). Although, the content and circumstance might stem from conversations with a person, it is not about them, only the ideas and concepts strained from those conversations.)

Great Quote!

As I sat in urgent care this afternoon, I read this quick quote from Chris Folmsbee's A New Kind of Youth Ministry "...leadership doesn't come with a position, leadership comes with the ability to influence others." Take some time to chew on that!

Some more thoughts on Leadership...

So, I have been thinking about different elements of leadership and its interaction with different types of personalities. Leadership is a process. It involves learning and analyzing. But ultimately it involves commitment. When we are committed to something we do regardless of the surrounding circumstances. Would I cancel our Wednesday night program because only 4 students showed-up? Would I cancel worship because only 4 students will hear? Of course not! Leadership is being committed to a task, a purpose. If our purpose is be Christ to Junior High students, how does cancelling elements of a program help. It might help our selfish need for food, or getting someplace faster, or hanging out with friends. I think a true leader rolls with the punches and uses every opportunity to connect with students, preach the word, and honor God with a mindset that encourages "going to be there for you" not bolt for the door because the program's over and your hungry.

With that said, people have a different idea of what is "best" for ministry. Personality has a lot to do with how one process' information. We all have filters, some are more adjusted than others.

I have so much more to learn...

When leaders don't lead

This week my attention is drawn to my current 7th grade students. It is safe to mention that most of our student leadership team is made up of 8th grade students. So, naturally I'm looking to future to see who will step up to the plate. The exciting thing about this is that I have over 8 students that come to mind. Yet, when asked to consider student leadership they rather do other things such as "sports, the mall, hanging with friends, etc." They have no desire to lead, yet they swell with enormous leadership qualities. Many of them set the social climate on any given Wednesday. So what do you do with a students who exhibit leadership qualities but don't want to lead?

A Conversation...

Yesterday evening right before our "Wired Game Night" event, I had a parent call. I answered the call thinking it was a parent asking about when the event was over. But to my surprise it was a parent concerned about the nature of the "games" we would be playing, or more specifically the game HALO.

This father was extremely gracious to me and rather brought to my attention that HALO is rated mature. I was unknowingly aware of this, but the father seemed to be concerned about the influence this would have on students. So I told him that I would look into it, and make the proper decision.

After researching why HALO is rated "mature" I found that it is so because of bad language and some blood.

What validates my decision for using HALO in the youth ministry is this:

1. The bad language is only in the Legendary setting and or campaign setting. Our students use the split-screen mode.
2. The blood factor is rather pathetic, in which would see more blood from a simple paper cut than on HALO.
3. Students like and it's a fun way to connect students who wouldn't usually hang out together.
4. It's easy to set up.

With this said, 5 years ago after having a conversation like this, I would have been angry and discouraged. But I look at like this:

1. I wish more parent's would be as forth coming as this father was.
2. This parent is concerned about me as much as he is concerned about his student.
3. Parent's can tender some form of encouragement.

More thoughts on Leadership

So, today I witnessed something that proved to be something that I need to address. Without going into specifics, I realized something about leadership. Here are few thoughts:

• Leadership is having the "guts" to have "that conversation" with "that someone" even though someone will awake away with their "ego" bruised.


• Leadership is having the "guts" to understand both sides of the coin and still making that decision that will make some people "unhappy."


• Leadership is understanding that regardless of age, schooling and personality, one must yield to those who God has placed in a higher position.


• Leadership is "understanding" your position and excelling at that. Not overstepping your bounds because you "think" you have all the answers.


• Leadership is purging those selfish desires, and making good choices that help students and ultimately glorify God.


• Leadership is knowing and understanding those who are in a position of higher authority and "respecting" that.

Tell me what you think....

Reflections on Leadership

Lovato posted an awesome article that he found basically saying that "are you making leaders or followers." Props the Del La Vato for his post.

I have been re-examining what it means to be a leader. More so, what are the traits of a good leader. From this, I must confess that just as there are fish in the sea, so to are the perspectives of a what a leader should be. Here are my thoughts on this matter:

A Leader Must...

1. Be willing to make hard choices. You know the one's that don't please people, but is proper for the vision and purpose.
2. Listen. This is a hard one for me.
3. Delegate when necessary (really not an issue for me).
4. Must do what is right for his ministry, and not what's going to make others feel comfortable. This might sound harsh, but imagine having way too many leaders who want to help out at an event, but you have have the budget or place for them at that time. How do you pick and choose who goes and who stays? The problem here is that we tend to invite those who we are most comfortable with. That's not a bad thing, but it really dampens your ministry and support level with your leaders.
5. Be willing to do the crappy things.

This is just some of the things that have been going through my head this week.