I was not sure of what to think of the book Sustainable Youth Ministries when I first picked it up. However, even within the first few pages I found it to be extremely good and there is a lot in it that can be applied to youth ministries. The first one I found was about how we might not be the saving youth pastor. The second thing I would like to talk about is how the youth pastors need to have a life beyond church. The third thing I would like to talk about is knowing your heart. The fourth and final ministry application is what to do when we fail. The book is full of so many wonderful ministry applications, but I picked a few that really stuck out to me. Even if I do not become a youth pastor, I will be revisiting this book in the near future. …show more content…
He says “But youth directors hired to save the day often find it difficult (if not impossible) to live up to the expectations they face from the first day they walk into their offices.” (pp. 18). I think this is such a great point because I can see it easy for us to think that we are going to change the world the first day we are a youth pastor. I am not a youth pastor, but I know that I tend to get really excited about things only to have that enthusiasm level drop quickly once I realize what I really signed up for. This happened to me when I first started working with a summer children’s ministry. I stuck with it, and it has been extremely rewarding, however, there were many times I wanted to quit. As we enter into youth ministries, we might be in this situation. If we go in with the mindset that it will take work, and we might not meet the expectations of the church at first, we can still have a successful ministry. There are many other practical ministry applications in this book, another one I want to discuss is the emotional health of the youth …show more content…
We are humans and should not be working all of the time. DeVries gave a great example of a “rhythmic week”. With this, he talked about how youth pastors need to have lives outside of their work. If they don’t, they start to develop unrealistic expectations of the church. They start to think that everyone at the church does not have a life and expects the church to “’parent us’, provide a close circle of friends for us, offer worship and teaching stimulating enough that we always ‘get something out of it’.” DeVries tells us that when we have a life outside of church, we see things differently. It is very important that youth pastors have lives outside of work. I think a lot of young people today have a workaholic attitude, especially in ministry. This could because they were raised that way or because there is so much to do in ministry. In one of my other classes, a pastor came and talked to us. He said that we should divide the day up into three sections: morning, afternoon, night. We should never work more than two of
Learning to love and serve God should continue throughout your life, so the church offers vital support for followers of all ages.
It is through this that one sees a direct challenging of comments seen elsewhere, where the church is continuously giving reasons why they are unable to help youths including youth disinterest, church alienation as a natural part of youth experience, and so on (Lincoln). The youth in the community, particularly
This program taught me more about ministry than another program I had ever seen or experienced. In the Beeson Institute, I grew in ways I had no idea I could grow. I had the opportunity to sit and learn about "Building a Dream Team," "Growing a church in a small group concept," and "How to balance your life. " The third significant event was studying under Scott Fay, and learning from the John Maxwell Team. (JMT)
Basically, I learned that it is crucial to take audacious steps when we see people in vulnerable situations. Additionally, it is very important for me to lead others by example, have a positive attitude even amid intense circumstances, work as a team, listen to others’ suggestions, articulate my vision to the team members, and encourage others. In addition, I learned that a leadership role has to be Christ centered and it needs to be a grace driven effort in lieu of self-seeking success. My previous experiences helped me to believe that a community of believers working together with servant-heart mindset can, definitely, transform the vulnerable societies.
Imagine being the daughter of a pastor, who has to live up to her family 's expectations, how would you feel? While being an example in church, yet living in another city attending a four year university in her graduating year, this leader is as strong as they come. Leah Shoff is a 22 year old who has put her entire life effort forth for God. Even though she has attempted to live part of her life without God, she was never successful in doing so. Constantly under a lot of stress, Ms. Shoff is currently attending Vanguard University as a Senior with a major in business, and she still keeps in great contact with her family; especially her family who is runs Palmdale Lighthouse Assembly of God.
I recently received a notification of the job opening at the Wasatch Hills Seventh-day Adventist church and could not help but become deeply inspired and interested in the position. Over the past few months, I have been in deep thought about how to best serve the Lord as I end my journey here at the seminary. None of the positions that I have seen have really moved me strongly until I saw this one; it is the perfect niche of where I believe I could be of service. I have a deep passion for youth, choosing to constantly serve in Sabbath School divisions since I graduated from high school. I love seeing youth grow closer to Jesus, each other, and their families, both church and literal.
Detroit Experience Paper Being immersed into the inner city is something not only urban ministry majors should experience, but all Christ followers. The many things we experienced during the weekend taught me a lot and helped further prepare me for my own ministry in an urban setting. Experiences such as the charter school, Beast of the Beats, CDC, talking to a homosexual pastor, and Tabernacle Revival Church made me feel a wide mix of emotions. Many times during the trip I felt so confirmed that this is I am suppose to focus my work for the Lord. On the contrary, there were times I wondered what I am getting myself into.
A second paid opportunity I have had serving children has been working as summer camp counselor for the past three summers. Each summer since May 2013, Warren W. Willis United Methodist Summer Camp has provided me with the opportunity to mentor a wide variety of children ranging in ages from rising fourth grade to newly graduated high school seniors. Here I have taken on many roles of mentor, advocate, listener, friend, small group leader, activities facilitator, etc. Here I have interacted with children and adolescents of all backgrounds and cultures.
By volunteering at my local church and helping with local service projects, I have realized the commitment and perseverance it takes to lead by example. At my local church I continue to help with the organization of my youth group. After speaking at church staff meetings for several months we made it our goal to improve the youth group by ensuring that children and teens of all ages were included and had an opportunity to participate. I was able to create a system where teens who attended high school were paired with a middle school individual of the church. This provided a sense of inclusiveness and made the youth group more enjoyable for everyone.
This volunteer experience allowed me to implement servant leadership principles including, listening, empathy, stewardship and commitment to the growth of others and building of the community. Speaking with and listening to the donors, has shown me the importance in taking the time to learn the stories of others and how as servant leaders,
Whether they apply the method or not there is very applicable knowledge to be taken away from this book. This applies to those who need to close their back door and retain their people coming and going in their church. Even those that need to reconstruct or repurpose their small groups Now looking into the future ministry and church planting this book is riveting to get an understanding of how to successfully engage, evangelize, establish, and equip not only the church but the unchurches. Getting people involved in ministry. This book brings about many simple and effective ideas to make the church growth and spiritual growth flow in a much smoother and proper
In Raising the Bar, Reid discusses how to minister to the youth in the midst of today’s culture. He discusses the difference between the worldly view of adolescence and the biblical view of adolescence, relating that students need to be held to a higher standard. He also addresses the need for prayer and some practical ways in which to improve one’s prayer life. In addition, Reid addresses the need for biblical truth in the life of a student and the responsibility of adult leaders to feed them that truth. Each of these areas of discussion has given me greater understanding of how to work with the youth of today and have better equipped me in my own walk with Christ.
had to say, like that missionary kids choose being a missionary as their career choice because it is all they know (Bikos et al., p. 164). All the kids in the missionary community wanted to be missionaries, nobody wanted to be a firefighter or police officer like normal kids did. Bikos et al. asserts that this could be because very little career exploration is being done by these MKs (p. 165).
Regarding the impact that others in a meeting have on his decision making process, it is given to understand that he desires to know the heart and the motives behind the individual speaking before moving forward with any suggestions made. His concerns regarding this issue are that motives may be proliferated by traditionalists, resistant to change or by those seeking vain-glory, taking on many forms. In matters of job security, this pastor remains open to serve the Lord where He wants him to serve. As he said, “At the end of the day, God has not called us to be employed, but to be faithful.” Ultimately, this pastor in many ways still seeks to attain “a balanced view on all issues,” desiring to make educated decisions.
I attend bible study on Tuesday and I attend choir rehearsal on Saturday. I am a member of the devotion team. I serve as a lay servant at church. I love serving God and he has blessed and anointed me with spiritual gifts. I love the Lord and I am willing to be obedient to the calling he has restored on my life.