Last weekend I took my youth leaders on a little retreat. We took the church van up the mountain for a day of rest and community. Almost didn't make it. About 2 miles away from our destination the van overheated and we were on the side of the road for a good 40 minutes trying to cool it down. It was wretched, but we made a lot of funny memories in the midst of chaos. It never cooled down. So we prayed the last 2 miles and just as we pulled into the driveway the van completely died. Way to fulfill that youth-ministry-smells like crayons-torn ceilings-can't ever make it anywhere without overheating-church-van stereotype.
Anyways, the day was a really, really good one. One of the things that creates community is a history. As a new youth director in this place, I know I need to create opportunities for us as a youth team to make memories. And memories were definitely made. I opened the retreat with a time of prayer and rundown of the day. When we serve, we serve not from ourselves but from the overflow of what God is doing in our lives...This morning we're not going to start with a game or even with training- we're going to start in the presence of God- praising His name and reading His word.
So praise and read we did. Luckily my sweet husband is very talented at leading people in worship. We sang without fear of the person next to us hearing our voice or singing the wrong words. It was very beautiful to me. Then we split up and everyone went to be in silence for an hour. I gave them a guide to follow with Scripture and other readings. (let me know if you'd like it...) We came back together and shared about the things that gave us hope, the things that inspired us in ministry, and even the things our hearts were convicted by. It was great.
Then we ate. At any ministry event I think it's important to have food. Food inspires people. It encourages community. It makes for good conversation. And it's just so good. So we ate and then we ate some more, too.
Then we talked about leadership commitments. I struggled when I wrote them. My biggest fear was that leaders would look at the sheet as a big list of rules. Then I remembered, we don't see the Bible as a big list of rules, but rather standards that we ought to live our lives by. And so it was with these leadership commitments. This list served as a covenant not necessarily between myself and my leaders, but rather between all of us leaders together and God. Because we should be held accountable to our lives and our priorities and our choices. And while ministry is (and should be) a fun and exciting and wonderful opportunity, it is also a huge responsibility. And because I believe we should all be on the same page about what is expected, this is what I asked them to pray over:
UpFront Leadership Commitments
Prayerfully consider the following commitments required for UpFront leaders this year. When you feel you are ready for this opportunity and responsibility, please sign and return to Kaylyn Unterkofler.
I commit to:
-growing in and nurturing my relationship with God
-consistent Bible reading & prayer
-fellowship amongst other believers
-living a lifestyle that communicates my commitment to Christ (1 Peter 2:21)
-being held accountable for my spiritual life
-openly and honestly sharing my struggles
-speaking well of the ministry, responding to direction, positively resolving conflict, and affirming the purpose of the ministry.
-reporting any issue directly to the Director of Student Ministry without speaking negatively to any parent or student
-consistency in attending church youth group services & activities
-arriving early for a time of prayer
-attend training days
-communicating when I’ll be absent
-breaking down any barrier that would keep me from being a part of this community
-striving for unity within leaders and the church as a whole (Eph 4:3)
-sharing my life with those I serve alongside
-take initiative in the lives of students
-ministering to students at any opportunity
-taking an interest in the lives and activities of students
-challenging students in their spiritual growth
-being on the lookout and welcoming new students
-being aware of my ministry “fit” and responding to God’s guidance
-evaluating myself in my leadership role in student ministries
NOTE: Standards must be followed at all times, not just when students are with you. The standards you set upon your own life set the pace for the rest of the ministry. We lead, they follow.
Sign ______________________ Date ___________
And so we went over the commitments, I got a lot of head nods and a lot of smiles, and NO signed papers (because I didn't want them that day). And for the rest of the day we played Apples to Apples and ate some more and laughed and spent extended time in prayer over the upcoming school year.
And don't ask how we ever made it home. God only knows.
All that to say...as a leader in ministry it is important to get your leaders away. Maybe it's for a weekend, maybe it's for a day, maybe it's just for a meal. But talk, pray, read, laugh, eat, remind each other why you're there, and...maybe, just maybe, you'll get a signed paper days later. But even if you don't, you'll create history and you'll help a community be formed.
That is all for today. You can thank the vanilla ice cream.
I'm so proud you Kay!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this, Kay.
ReplyDelete