When I entered my first job as a youth minister, I was pretty fortunate. The program I inherited was thriving, my predecessor mentored me, and I only had to focus on middle school youth ministry. After 12 years, I started over; however, this time, there was a gap of 18 months between my predecessor and me, and I oversee six different areas of ministry (Middle School, High School, Confirmation Preparation, Young Adult, CYO Sports, and Scouts). Not only are the departments various, but so are the parishes.
It’s no secret that each parish has a unique identity, and understanding it is essential. I’ve had clients who want to build a program in a ministry that needs a serious overall. I’ve met youth ministers who keep changing what they are doing for fear of getting too comfortable. The problem is that they never find momentum. If you don’t know the health and status of your ministry, that can be a problem. As a leader, you need to see if you should:
To figure that out you need the right systems and structures in place like a:
Who’s up next? It’s a question we need to think about, even if we plan on sticking around for years. The reason your ministry lacks a leadership pipeline is that there are so many different initiatives and areas to cover in ministry. The way you create a leadership pipeline starts with:
Forming a leadership team. Find 3-5 individuals who you can invest in who, in return, will invest in you and the ministry. Get them familiar with the vision and mission so that they understand the bigger picture. Meet with them regularly to discuss big-picture items and ask them to invest in potential leaders.
Creating a ministry structure. There should be opportunities to grow in your ministry. It starts with entry-level positions like serving pizza and later develops into a position where they are managing other volunteers.
Investing in volunteer development. What does it look like to train and develop your team? Are you merely having them show ups, or are you showing them what it means to be a leader and a disciple of Jesus Christ? Share with them what you know and invite them to conferences and workshops you attend. Leaders need to grow other leaders intentionally.
What does success look like in your ministry? If you’ve never taken a moment to think about that question, then you are limiting your ministry’s success. One of the reasons we avoid that question is because what we want can seem overwhelming and impossible. We don’t know how it’s even going to be possible. Part of the reason we avoid thinking about success is that we believe we need to achieve it all in a short amount of time.
The reality is that building a fruitful ministry takes time. You need to look at a two year, 5-year, and 10-year plan. Break down what you want to accomplish into 6-month goals and share them with your pastor, coworkers, and volunteers. Get people excited about what you can achieve and invite them to be a part of the process.
When you have a solid strategic plan, people are more likely to invest in what you are doing with their time, energy, and finances. Not only will you receive better resources, but the burden to achieve success will feel lighter.
On top of having leaders and a plan, you need to be able to evaluate how you are doing. Checking in with people to see what’s working and what isn’t is essential. There are several ways to capture this information, but to use it properly takes intentionality. Providing surveys after events might work, but look at your calendar (and strategic plan) and put in times when you’ll receive a step back from the grind to answer the questions:
It’s merely taking the time to evaluate whether you need to enter a season or rebuilding or continued investment. Use the goals from your strategic plan and the experience from your leaders to help you figure out your next move.
Assessing your ministry might seem like a lot to take on, especially if you’ve never done it before. If you are looking for tools and resources, check out the MYM Store HERE, or if you are looking for coaching, set up a FREE CONSULTATION with us today.
What type of role are you playing as a leader? Are you building a youth ministry from scratch, or are you trying to breathe life into a dying program? Do the research, take the time to create the right systems, and think big picture. No matter what type of burden you’ve been called to take on, it’s important to trust God with the leaders and plan that He’s laying out before you.
What steps do you take to assess your ministry’s health?
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