My 4th question in this series for re-evaluating volunteers is, “Can you tell me a story?”. Every youth ministry has a narrative. We are a collection of stories but we tend to focus on numbers, activity, and logistics.
Stories matter. Stories tell me what kind of impact you’re making. Stories reveal the characters you are impacting and might reveal the plot that that is developing, I don’t even mind if they brag a little, boast in Christ’s name of what God has been doing in them and through them.
The other half of this story is about “How is this youth ministry is impacting you?” I want to know who’s touching your heart, what are you learning (from students) through the ministry, and what is God teaching you in the midst of your ministry to students?
I could go deeper into story and ask them to each share how they would like their story change. What twist would they like too see and maybe how they would like to see their story in youth ministry end.
This last question is important because I am asking them to dream and then embrace practices that will increase the chances that they are getting the ending they are looking for. In addition to getting what they want our students are going to get motived leader seeking to write a better story for themselves and, ultimately, our youth ministry.
The new year stands before us, like a chapter in a book, waiting to be written. We can help write that story by setting goals. – Melodie Beattie
What’s your story?
Question 5: Are you healthy enough for youth ministry?