by ChaseSnyder | Apr 17, 2017 | Leadership, Ministry, Top Posts
Student ministry is one of the greatest callings within the church!
Who would want to be in charge of buildings and grounds when you can plan a summer beach camp?
While there are ample opportunities to do some incredible good in student ministry, there are some pitfalls that we must navigate to ensure that we are being effective in our calling.
Every student pastor wants an effective ministry. No one would argue with that! However, effectiveness doesn’t come from exuding more energy. It comes from making the right decisions at the right moment. It takes us saying no to distractions, yes to the right opportunities, and prioritizing people over projects.
[Read: 7 Deadly Sins of Student Volunteers]
Are you committing any of these deadly sins? Be honest with yourself, and then take the necessary steps to get back on track with God’s mission.
8 Deadly Sins of Student Pastors
1. Being Busy Without Being Effective
Most of the student pastors I know are not lazy. Sure, there are a few bad apples that can give student pastors a bad reputation, but most student pastors’ wives would let you know that they actually overwork. A huge sin for student pastors is to be busy with areas that don’t matter without being effective in your call to serve students and parents. Stop wasting so much time on logos, T-shirts, and other areas that you can outsource and start being effective in what you were called to accomplish. Energy and productivity do not equal effectiveness.
[bctt tweet=”Energy and productivity do not equal effectiveness. ” username=”chasesnyder12″]
2. Failing To Develop Your Leaders
There is a line between doing and leading. Spending all of your time doing ministry yourself will never enable you to effectively lead your ministry. There are times and situations where you must be on the front lines, but you must develop leaders to be effective ministry leaders too.
[bctt tweet=”Spending all of your time doing ministry yourself will never enable you to effectively lead. ” username=”chasesnyder12″]
3. Failing To Share God Stories With The Church
Don’t be an island of ministry. Share stories with your senior leaders and church community about what God is doing. The church needs to be encouraged by the stories of life change that are happening in your ministry! Talk with your direct leaders to see what avenue is the best to regularly share God-sized stories with the church.
4. Being a Poor Communicator
Did your mind instantly think I was going to talk about your preaching style? That is because as pastors we tend to elevate time spent in front of a large group and devalue communicating with the parents, leaders, and our staff. To be an effective pastor you must be able to lead from the platform and from the office. How well are you communicating with your ministry team, parents, students, and the church body? Are you sharing vision, communicating needs, talking about encouraging stories of transformation, and building excitement about upcoming events?
5. Tending To Everyone’s Spiritual Fire While Neglecting To Stoke Your Own
Your role is to stoke the spiritual fires in students’ souls. In the rush to tend to others’ fires, we often neglect stoking our own spiritual growth. You can’t forget to stoke your own spiritual fire and lead out of your passion for Jesus! Books by Donald Whitney and Paul David Tripp are excellent encouragements for pastors.
[bctt tweet=”In the rush to tend to others’ fires, we often neglect stoking our own spiritual growth.” username=”chasesnyder12″]
6. Not Being A Great Team Player With Your Staff
How well are you interacting with your staff? Being a team player takes energy and effort. It’s essential that you show up prepared for staff meetings, ask difficult questions, and invite others to speak into your leadership over the student ministry.
7. Failing To Establish Work Boundaries
My 4-year-old son has a plastic cell phone that he used to carry around the house with him and pretend to take calls, capture videos, and send pictures to his grandparents. It was cute until I realized he was mimicking me. Your family needs you to be completely present. Ministry can be and all-the-time thing if you let it, so decide ahead of time what your boundaries are and only bend them in true emergencies.
8. Putting All Of Your Energy Into Midweek Worship Gatherings
Josh Griffin recently tweeted this gem: “Our job is not to get students to show up, but to show up in students’ lives.” Worship gatherings are a portion of the ministry that Jesus has entrusted us with. Showing up in students’ lives means that we are disciplined to get outside of the walls of our church and meet students where they are. How are you investing in leaders and students outside of the designated “church time”?
Now What?
After taking an honest look at this list, how many of these sins are you struggling with?
What other areas would you add to the list?
by ChaseSnyder | Mar 18, 2017 | Leadership, Ministry, Top Posts
For student ministries, volunteer engagement is essential.
The days of a student ministry being led by a charismatic leader with adult chaperones is as far behind us as bellbottom jeans.
Every church ministry must be aligned around relational discipleship for the flourishing of the Gospel. Student ministries will fail to develop disciples when the student pastor is the only person investing into the lives of the students. When we fail to develop disciples, we fail to fulfill the Great Commission.
Leaders are the key to student ministry discipleship. You can say goodbye to discipleship if multiple adult leaders are not connected to students.
[bctt tweet=”You can say goodbye to discipleship if multiple adult leaders are not connected to students.” username=”chasesnyder12″]
That’s a big deal! The discipleship process must involve every adult volunteer. If we want to ensure every adult is on mission we need to identify what is getting in the way of our discipleship efforts.
[Read: 8 Deadly Sins Of Student Pastors]
Are you committing any of these deadly sins? Be honest with yourself, then take the necessary steps to get back on track with God’s mission.
7 Deadly Sins of Student Volunteers
- Showing Up Late And/Or Leaving Early
Nothing communicates a lack of investment more than showing up late or leaving early. A large portion of discipleship is proximity. Those who are inconsistent at Bible studies and worship gatherings are not developing disciples. The Great Commission doesn’t say “Sit in a youth room to fulfill a student-to-leader ratio.” Jesus commissions every disciple to create disciples.
[bctt tweet=”The Great Commission doesn’t say ‘Sit in a youth room to fulfill a student-to-leader ratio.” username=”chasesnyder12″]
- Only Talking With The Adults
Why are you volunteering with the student ministry? Is it to invest in students? Great. Investment doesn’t end once you step into the room; that is when investment begins! Don’t fall into the temptation of sitting in the back of the student room and chatting with the other adult leaders. You are serving to make a Gospel difference in a teenager’s life. So pull up a chair and get to know some students.
- Failing To Follow Up With Students
One hour of communication per week does not sustain a friendship. Discipling students involves following up with students throughout the week. This may look different each week (attending ball games, texting students Bible verses, inviting students to events), but the key is to show up in the life of a student. When you show up outside of “church time” students will begin to see that God cares for them outside of “church time.”
- Never Talking About Jesus Or The Bible
Student ministry isn’t all fun and games. Who am I kidding? Student ministry is awesome! The presence of games shouldn’t lead to an absence of Biblical instruction. Each student ministry volunteer has a responsibility to share about the grace, love, and goodness of Jesus. Don’t let the student pastor be the only voice the students hear.
[bctt tweet=”When we fail to develop disciples, we fail to fulfill the Great Commission.” username=”chasesnyder12″]
- Pretending That You Have Figured Life Out
You know that being an adult doesn’t bring clarity to life and an uncanny ability to live perfectly! Be careful not to project a “holier than thou” persona in front of your students. Jesus has saved you, and the students, by grace alone. Sure you have some wisdom to share, but be sure that you are communicating that you still need Jesus.
- Failing To Grow Spiritually
The number one role of a student ministry volunteer is to be a spiritual leader. It doesn’t matter what area you serve in, you must be growing spiritually. The church’s mission is to create disciples. Only disciples can create disciples. An excellent book to gauge your spiritual health is Ten Questions To Diagnose Your Spiritual Health by Donald S. Whitney.
- Investing In The Program While Neglecting People
How many hours have you spent working on the worship set list this week? Or how much time have you spent looking at your small group lesson for Sunday? How about this one: How many hours have you spent encouraging and communicating with students this week? Preparation and study are essentials to be a great leader, but when we drift away from the people and only invest in the program, lesson, or worship gathering, our students will leave the church.
Now What?
After taking an honest look at this list, how many of these sins are you struggling with? Being able to diagnose our current level of engagement will allow us to dive deeper into our discipleship efforts!
What other areas would you add to the list?
by ChaseSnyder | Feb 6, 2017 | Leadership, Ministry
There’s no doubt about it, words have power.
Words can be the cause of stress that robs you of your passion, joy, and zeal to serve others. That kind of stress can trick us into believing that the grass is greener somewhere else and that no one — where we are at least — will ever appreciate the work we do to encourage and equip people to make much of Jesus.
If you are on the verge of throwing in the towel or simply need a boost of encouragement, be intentional about the words you allow into your heart and mind! Fill your day with words that affirm your calling, whether that’s through Scripture, quotes, or encouraging words from a friend or fellow ministry leader.
[bctt tweet=”Ministry leaders must intentionally filter the words they allow to fill their hearts and minds. ” username=”chasesnyder12″]
To get you started, here are eight quotes from ministry leaders and eight Bible verses that will remind you of the importance of your faithfulness.
8 Quotes That Will Encourage You To Keep Serving
“The first question which the priest and the Levite asked was: ‘If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?’ But the good Samaritan reversed the question: ‘If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?’” – Martin Luther King Jr.
“If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one.” – Mother Teresa
“There is no passion to be found playing small — in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.” – Nelson Mandela
“If you have men who will only come if they know there is a good road, I don’t want them. I want men who will come if there is no road at all.” – David Livingstone
“When I cannot read, when I cannot think, when I cannot even pray, I can trust.” – James Hudson Taylor
“Our greatest fear should not be of failure but of succeeding at things in life that doesn’t really matter.” – Francis Chan
“There are many of us that are willing to do great things for the Lord, but few of us are willing to do little things.” – Dwight L Moody
“To be right with God has often meant to be in trouble with men.” – AW Tozer
8 Scriptures That Will Encourage You To Keep Serving
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” – Galatians 6:9
“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this.” – Psalm 37:5
“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” – James 1:12
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” – Proverbs 4:23
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” – Romans 12:18
“Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10
“On this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” – Matthew 16:18
“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:19
Now What?
What words, quotes, and Scriptures have meant the most to your ministry journey?
by ChaseSnyder | Feb 1, 2017 | Discipleship, Leadership, Ministry
How was your energy level after serving at church on Sunday?
Every volunteer, staff member, and pastor walks through passionless seasons of ministry. We feel frustrated, burned out, under-appreciated, and we spiritually disengage months (maybe years) before we actually transition out of our role.
[bctt tweet=”Every volunteer, staff member, and pastor walks through passionless seasons of ministry.” username=”chasesnyder12″]
If you are experiencing a passionless season of ministry the cause may reside with you more than your organization or leadership. Granted, I do not know your situation. I have served in incredible organizations and some that had extreme cultural issues. But I know that our initial reaction is to blame everyone else when we are dissatisfied.
Yes, there may be sizable changes that your organization may need to make, but if you are leading from a place of spiritual passion (the zeal mentioned in Romans 12:11) you can be a spark God uses to usher in a new wave of ministry within your church.
3 Signs You Are Losing Your Passion For Serving Your Church
You Are Avoiding Relationships
Are you late showing up to serve? Are you looking to travel the quickest route to and from your car to avoid extra conversations? Without relationships, ministry fails. Avoiding others is one of the first signs that you are losing your passion for serving others.
[bctt tweet=”Without relationships, ministry fails.” username=”chasesnyder12″]
You Are Avoiding Spiritual Disciplines
How are your spiritual disciplines going? Personal study, worship, prayer, confession, and solitude are key pillars of your spiritual life. These disciplines align our heart and mind to do passionate ministry in the first place.
You Are Cynical of The Leadership
Do you find yourself questioning every decision the leadership team makes for your specific area of service? It is one thing to ask questions, seek clarity, and present potential pitfalls, but it is another to reject their leadership or, even worse, undermine their authority. Having a cynical view of the leadership is a sign that your service is more obligatory instead of an overflow of your passion.
Now What?
Questions to wrestle with and pray through:
Is there a broken family, work, or church relationship that you need to mend? Humans are relational people. Ministry is based on our relationship with Jesus and others. Unvoiced frustrations, emotional pains, and rejection will cause us to withdraw from the people we are called to serve.
How is your personal, family, and corporate worship? Are you walking with Jesus each day? Do the truths that you teach on Sunday transform your Monday? If you fail to be invested in God’s Word, prayer, and in a small group of others your energy, passion, knowledge, and creativity will run dry. It is impossible to point others to Jesus if you are not orienting your life toward Him.
Has your passion for the specific areas you are serving in shifted toward another group, phase, or area? Seasons of life often shift our desires to serve. It’s easy to confuse frustration with our current role and frustration with the organization as a whole. Perhaps you need to meet with your church’s leadership and discuss how you are gifted and see what other areas you can get involved in.
by ChaseSnyder | Dec 13, 2016 | Leadership, Ministry
Regardless of your leadership capacity there is one area that you can excel in: encouraging others.
People willing follow a leader who encourages them. Why? Because people want to feel needed, valued, and want to be developed to do more for the sake of the Gospel.
[bctt tweet=”People willing follow a leader who encourages them. ” username=”chasesnyder12″]
I understand that for many encouraging others seems like a foreign concept. Many leaders find it hard to encourage people. It just isn’t how their are wired or how they think. I’m not advocating that you need to completely change the makeup of your personality (which is impossible and unrealistic) but there are a few small habits that you can add into your day that will communicate value into the people that you lead.
Whether you are a small group leader, pastor, spouse, or senior leader, these three areas will help you connect with people and encourage them to continue along the journey.
3 Ways You Can Be An Encouraging Leader
Be A Person Of Prayer
Daily prayer will shape your heart and mind to be that of Jesus Christ. Nothing can combat cynicism like a daily habit of prayer. As you pray for others you will begin to follow up with them. Prayer also reminds us that we are all sinners in need of Jesus. It is our communion with Jesus that brings ultimate encouragement and unity with one another.
Celebrate Wins
When was the last time your team or group experienced a win? Perhaps you need to define what a win is for your team (that the group engages in conversation, that students hear the Gospel, that the staff brainstorms ideas during this meeting) then you can celebrate the win – no matter how small it seems to be. People need to know that their contributions are needed and beneficial. Simply stating that there was a win can go a long way to encourage others.
Coach Instead of Demand
In my opinion, a basketball coach is the best description of a leader. A coach spends intentional time preparing his team for a game, but once the game starts the coach doesn’t sit on the sideline and lets the game happen – he is active in making adjustments, encouraging players, and aligning for success. Leaders who encourage others are intentionally coaching other people. They assess the situation and give constructive feedback that develops the individual. Viewing your role as a coach may help you remember the intentional role you play in other’s lives.
Now What?
Would your small group, team, or office say that you are an encourager? What steps can you take to encourage a couple people this week?
by ChaseSnyder | Oct 14, 2016 | Leadership, Ministry, Top Posts
Veteran ministry leaders understand this truth: There is nothing more terrifying than handing someone else a microphone.
[bctt tweet=”There is nothing more terrifying than handing someone else a microphone ” username=”chasesnyder12″]
This isn’t an arrogant statement! Most of us love bringing in guest speakers!
A statement like this is made because speakers have used inappropriate language, spoken 30 minutes longer than their allotted time, or made the service a commercial for their newest T-shirt line.
Even with the risks, I firmly believe that guest speakers can deeply impact your student ministry events.
I love bringing in guest speakers for our events, retreats, and midweek worship services so that students can see other adults who are passionate about Jesus, hear another voice on a particular subject, and connect with another person’s story.
Read: 5 Reasons You Should Use Guest Speakers In Youth Ministry
Before I bring a guest speaker to our student ministry I make sure that they line up to a specific list of characteristics that will maximize their impact and the Gospel.
I do this for two reasons:
- To protect our students from a negative situation.
- To protect my job at the church.
Below is the checklist I use to gauge a guest speaker’s effectiveness for our ministry.
7 Characteristics Of An Incredible Guest Speaker
Someone Who Will Bring Us To The Throne Of God Without Sitting On One
The event is not about the speaker. The event is not about the band. The retreat isn’t even about your students. Everything you lead should glorify King Jesus. I desire to bring in a speaker who is going to magnify Jesus, not their ministry or personality. There isn’t a fool-proof method of screening, but I diligently spend hours networking, screening, and researching a potential guest’s materials, social medias, spiritual growth, and reputation.
Someone With A Positive Social Media Following
After the event our students are going to follow the speaker on social medias. This means that the speaker will be influencing my students for months, maybe years, after the event. Obviously this can be a positive or negative situation. We want to bring in someone who uses social medias to minister. In contrast, we will not pick a speaker who inappropriately uses medias.
Someone Who Is Passionate About Students and Ministry
Joy and passion for Jesus are contagious! We want to surround our students with adults who are joyfully living out the Gospel of Jesus. Joy cannot be faked. This is a mark of a disciple of Jesus who is journeying with their Savior.
Someone Who Will Honor Our Retreat/Event Theme
When a speaker goes rogue on the teaching points our students are often unable to make the connection with the theme. We have been preparing every detail of this event for months. The speaker must realize his/her place in achieving the greater vision of developing disciples.
Read: 7 Things You Should Know Before Your Next Retreat
Someone Who Aligns With Our Theology
One of the primary roles of a pastor is to ensure that your congregation is protected from false doctrines and incorrect teachings. I have conversations with our guest speakers and find out what their views on baptism, Jesus, salvation, and sin are before we bring them in. Since we leverage our speakers to share the Gospel of Jesus, we want to ensure that the Gospel presentation lines up with our beliefs.
Someone Who Will Interact With Our People
Relating with students from the stage is one thing, but interacting with them between sessions is a necessity for us. I don’t expect a speaker to participate in every aspect of our programming, but I do expect them to build relationships with our people.
Someone Who Is Professional
Working with unprofessional people drives me crazy! There is nothing worse than a speaker who is slow to respond to emails, ignores phone calls, disregards our time limits, and isn’t prepared for the event. There is not a dichotomy between being relational and being organized.
Now What?
What characteristics do you look for when you bring in a guest speaker?
