Build mutual support systems for adults in your ministries.

by Chip Borgstadt

If we are to continue to share lifegiving ministry with young people, we must find support and encouragement in partnership with others. Sharing our joys and concerns, we grow through the feedback of our peers. Encouraging one another in times of challenge helps us find strength and opens our eyes to the sustaining grace of God.

Option 1: Ministry Partners
Pair veterans and new lifegivers for a year. Experienced youth ministry people provide the long view of ministry and help new partners handle discouragement. Newcomers bring fresh ideas and energy.

• Provide regular times for partners to share ministry insights and situations.

• Utilize partners in leading specific activities so that they can work together and complement each other’s strengths.

• Send partners to visit youth in the community to learn youth needs and interests. Have the partners present their observations at a meeting.

• Encourage several sets of partners to get together for a time of fun.

Why Partner?
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 speaks of the value of two working together. Consider a partner a bridge to stronger youth ministry. This person can help you see greater opportunities in situations that may seem limited. You can grow as you share personal perspectives for helping everyone minister more effectively.

Option 2: Congregational Core Groups
Within the congregation, form core groups of parents, supportive adults and youth leaders (teachers, counselors) to support your lifegiving youth ministry team. This wider base of involvement and ownership allows more people to become involved in reaching out to youth.

• Enlist these people to pray regularly for their youth ministry leader.

• Suggest that they send cards of encouragement and recognize special days in that person's life, such as a birthday or an anniversary.

• Have the core group meet with their leader to keep in touch and pray together. Individuals within the core group can make weekly calls to communicate support.

• Have a special worship experience where all give thanks for God’s blessing of the youth ministry and where core groups pray for their youth ministry leaders.

• Include core groups in all mailings: newsletters, promotional pieces, and the like.

• Arrange a picnic or potluck for core groups to enjoy some fun and fellowship once a year.

Esprit de Core
Core groups need to have a clear sense of purpose to be effective. Help group members see their role as advocates for youth ministry leaders. Groups are intended to build relationships that facilitate lifegiving youth ministry.

Option 3: Community Networks
Lifegiving youth ministry leaders need contacts beyond their own congregations (and denominations). Usually many people in a community give their time, talent, and treasure to bring the gospel to young people. A little effort can bring these community youth ministry people together for support, idea sharing, and (sometimes) cooperative efforts.

• Get together with a few friends who are active in youth ministry. Divide up area congregations, and have each person contact specific ones to gather names of youth leaders. Invite everyone to a “brown bag” luncheon or a catered event with a freewill offering. At that gthering, use an ice breaker to help people become acquainted. Encourage all who attend to meet monthly at a mutually convenient time for fellowship and support.

• Often groups grow closer when they have a common project to complete. Consider working together to bring in a youth speaker or Christian music group.

• Sometimes groups just need time to support one another. If the only reason the support networks get together is lunch, that’s OK.

• One goal of community networks is to provide training opportunities for volunteers in lifegiving youth ministries. Veteran workers can lead workshops on skills and approaches to provide valuable background for other volunteers. One design is a half-day event with a common session and several smaller workshop sessions. Resource displays at these events are good for volunteers.

• Consider including prayer petitions for community network members in your personal prayer time or even worship. Help members of your congregation realize that lifegiving youth ministry is more that just a program or “group” at your church. Lifegiving youth ministry reaches beyond your walls and denomination and brings the gospel message to your community and world.

From Lifegivers, © 1997 by Abingdon Press. This material may be reproduced for educational purposes.

Other articles in the Lifegivers series:
Faith Conversation Skills.
Creating a Welcoming Environment.
Keeping It Real.
Steps to Identify Potential Youth Disciples. Welcoming Youth.
Getting Connected: Real-Life Options in Reaching Out to Youth.
Setting a New Direction.
Experiencing the Gift of Friendship.
Connecting With Youth.
Addressing Our Fears and Dreams.
How Youth Learn.
Helping Youth Know God (By Checking Out Your Feelings).
People Who Resemble God.
Compelling or Repelling.
Help! I Need Volunteers.

Brought to you by your youth ministry colleagues at Cokesbury.

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