Fill Your Brain

Brain Food

Solomon had the chance to ask God for anything. Think about that for a moment. Any of his wildest dreams would be granted. He didn’t ask for riches or that people would like him. Instead, he asked for wisdom. Just wisdom.

Solomon set a great example for all leaders. Being teachable is an invaluable quality in youth ministry, and it’s important to start early. Don’t get overwhelmed by trying to read every book on youth ministry when you first start out—there are tons of books, Web sites, magazines, and conferences—but do try to keep up with some of the resources available. Ask others in ministry what they’re reading and what they’ve learned lately.

Strange as it may seem, one of the best, yet most often overlooked, resources to learn from is parents. Yes, parents. It’s easy to ignore them and only call when you need a driver or someone to bring snacks. But remember, they know and love their teenagers more than you ever will. Partnering with them will not only show them how much you care about their family but also help their teenager grow in his or her relationship with Jesus.

Like they say...

“If we cannot be His students, we have no way to learn to exist always and everywhere within the riches and power of His Word.”—J. P. Moreland, Love Your God With All Your Mind: The Role of Reason in the Life of the Soul

God's Word

“Don’t turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you. Love her, and she will guard you.”

—Proverbs 4:6, New Living Translation

Ministry Is Messy

Brain Food

Relationships are messy. One person offends another. Someone gets annoyed. Imperfect people ruin our perfect plans.

Conflict happens. That’s expected.

What’s often unexpected, sadly, is appropriate handling of the conflict. When people come to you to talk about situations that bother them, they mostly want to be heard. It’s important to listen and acknowledge their feelings.

The same is probably true for you. When a situation is frustrating, it’s easy to vent.

But let’s be honest. Venting can often mean gossiping about a person or a situation from a limited perspective, which does nothing to help the actual problem—and definitely doesn’t honor God.

Instead of immediately venting, take a minute to breathe deeply and seek God’s wisdom. Then approach the situation in a way that follows Scripture and respects others, even if it’s the toughest option.

Keep up the good but hard work of setting an example for the teenagers in your ministry.

Like they say...

“When through the blood of the everlasting covenant we children of the shadows reach at last our home in the light, we shall have a thousand strings to our harps, but the sweetest may well be the one tuned to sound forth most perfectly the mercy of God.”—A. W. Tozer, The Knowledge of the Holy

God's Word

“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of every- body. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” —Romans 12:14-18

Relationships That Matter

Brain Food

Who is in the stands cheering for you in the marathon of life?

We’ve all had people in our past who believed in us when we didn’t have the strength to believe in ourselves. Being a youth worker means that you get the privilege of doing this for someone else. So keep up the good work. Keep encouraging. Continue to remember names. And dive deep into the lives of the students you are walking through life with.

A teenager’s life includes his or her family. Even though parents might sometimes be the scariest people in youth ministry, get to know them as well. Not only will connecting with parents show the student how much you care, but as parents get to know you, they will give you more and more trust and freedom to hang out with and mentor their son or daughter.

Like they say...

“The Christian leader is called to help others affirm this great news, and to make visible in daily events the fact that behind the dirty curtain of our painful symptoms there is something great to be seen: the face of Him in whose image we were shaped.”—Henri J. M. Nouwen, The Wounded Healer: Ministry in Contemporary Society

God's Word

“All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God’s grace in all its truth.”—Colossians 1:6

Brain Food

Investment

You probably wouldn’t be involved with youth ministry if you didn’t also enjoy hanging out with teenagers and building relationships. Way to go! It’s easy, however, to focus on the students with whom you share a similar sense of humor or a common interest. God made people different, and tapping into those niche areas is great for ministry. It’s okay that you don’t know every student in your ministry if there are other adults investing in their lives. Focus on building deep and lasting relationships with the students whom God has given you in your small group, on a retreat, or wherever you may be.

Nonetheless, sometimes it takes a little more effort. If you’re stuck in a place where you can’t connect with anyone or are the only person on your ministry team, that’s okay! Three cheers for your commitment! Keep asking students their names. Keep asking them questions and getting to know them. Show up at a game, play, concert, or where a student works. It’ll show that you truly do desire to get to know their world, not only as someone who asks about it but also as a participant. You’ll begin to develop life-changing and lasting friendships.

Make sure to also target those students who might be on the fringe, those who don’t seem connected to the ministry or other adults. They probably act as if they don’t care, but a friendship initiated by you is probably what they’re screaming for in their heart.

Like they say...

“A knight on a journey who was seeking the King and picked the Prince as his travel- ing companion said, ‘There is no one else I would have trusted...As we journeyed, he played your song. I learned it so well that though a thousand false flutes tried to hide your music, I could hear your song above them all. It was with me all the way.’”

—Max Lucado, With You All the Way

God's Word

“I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.”—Philemon 6