I hopped into the car exhausted. We had kicked off the program, lots of teens had shown up and I already felt overwhelmed. I was excited by the numbers but also scared to lose the momentum. Because while we had an incredible event, I didn’t know if what we had in place was sustainable.
The push for numbers is real. Even if we post proudly online IT’S NOT ABOUT THE NUMBERS in the end it really is ALL ABOUT THE NUMBERS. Our pastors want it, the parents, teens, congregation want it and if we’re honest so do we. The problem is when the focus is on GETTING NUMBERS QUICKLY. That’s when we lose sight of a bigger factor which is MINISTRY HEALTH. Even if we don’t clarify it that’s what we want, it’s a ministry where teens are getting to know Christ, growing deeper in their faith and impacting the lives of others with God’s love.
But, if we miss that and only focus on the numbers we make some strategic mistakes like:
Forcing someone to attend a program is a risk. While lives have been changed because they were “required” to show, it’s also built resentment. It can also be a lazy approach to clarifying the WHY behind what you do. Focusing on an invitation where people CHOOSE to be there forces us as leaders to work on communication and our own relationship with Christ.
When we want the big numbers now we tend to go all in without thinking about the next step. Spending too much of your time and money on a one-time event can distract you from answering the question, “What’s next?” If you are going to engage people then you need to be able to take them on a journey and that takes long-term planning.
We ask people, “What do you want?” without discerning whether or not it’s something they actually need. As a result, we create consumers who we constantly aim to please. The problem with this approach is can lead us away from the vision we’re trying to create.
If you want to both health and growth it means taking the time to:
Don’t be afraid to go slow and steady with your approach. If you are new to your church spend the time getting to know people and build a team. Look at putting together a plan that goes beyond picking the curriculum. A great resource to check out is LeaderTrek’s Intentional Ministry Model (Click HERE to learn more)
It’s scary to lose momentum, but not knowing when to stop and rest is just as dangerous. Taking seasons to rest and recalibrate gives you the ability to avoid pitfalls and capture the opportunities we miss when we are constantly going. Plot out those weeks to sit down and answer the questions:
In addition to planning, use the time off to rest and invest in your own spiritual and professional development. Healthy ministries need health leaders.
Again, it’s scary to lose momentum. Unfortunately, that fear can hold us back from being creative with our ministry. To be innovative doesn’t mean to reject the rules, it means working within them. It’s approaching ministry with the question, “What if we looked at THIS with THIS perspective?”
Don’t be afraid to try something new, it’ll bring a crowd. People will also see that you are doing your best to stay relevant with what’s happening in their lives.
People are looking to belong and if you can build a framework where Christ-like relationships matter growth will certainly happen. Incorporating small groups and mentoring into your youth ministry is key. Consistent relationships will serve as the backbone that keeps your ministry growing strong for years.
A healthy ministry can grow quickly but it demands a lot of resources. You need the right people to keep it relational and the ability to step back and look at the larger picture. If you focus on building those resources, your team and strategy growth will come, but more importantly so will health. And a healthy ministry is one where life change for Christ is happening.
What steps do you take to grow a healthy ministry?