Tag: perspective

Everyone Wants to Have a Voice

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Very few things frustrate me more than feeling like my opinion does not matter. In fact, if I feel like someone is listening to what I have to say, I am generally okay with the outcome of a decision, even if it is not my decision.

I have seen this happen in rooms when planning summer camp. There will be a discussion, ideas being tossed about, and then I offer my opinion. Several times, I have offered a foolish or small-minded opinion or suggestion, and the conversation moved on. And I’m okay with that.

But the reality is that when I feel valued, I want what’s best for the situation.

The next question then becomes: if I feel that way when I’m not in charge, how am I treating people when I am in charge? Am I listening to those around me, or am I bulldozing ahead with what I want to do?

The challenge of leadership is knowing the people you lead and learning what speaks to them. Leadership, therefore, is not something we do in a vacuum. On the contrary, leadership is very much a process focused on people.

How are you connecting with the people you’re leading? You don’t have to bow to their every idea, but find what motivates them and watch your leadership influence increase.

Interesting Quote Origin

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Have you ever had a quote that keeps popping up around you? Something that after hearing the third or fourth time you decide, “okay, I can’t ignore this anymore”?

For me, in 2017, I’ve heard the following C.S. Lewis quote probably half a dozen times:

Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it is thinking of yourself less.

Except, upon a simple google search, I came to a shocking realization: this is not a C.S. Lewis quote at all! Don’t believe me? How about clicking over to www.cslewis.org and reading for yourself. Read specifically number 2 on the list of quotes misattributed to Lewis.

So, what do we learn from this, aside from (maybe) interesting small talk? Well, obviously, a quote does not have to be from someone famous or influential for it to carry meaning.

So, who gets credit for this quote? You’ll just have to click to see.

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Get More Out of Camp, Pt 2

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On Tuesday, I introduced a concept I’ve stumbled into the past few years at camp: find the gaps in the schedule. Click here for the full article.

Today, I’m going to spend some time explaining how I’ve used our schedule to help grow leaders.

As I mentioned in part 1, our schedule at camp is pretty laid back, and offers quite a few blocks of free time. So, last year, I split our leadership team into two groups and would meet with each group once a day.

While meeting with the group, we had a few repeating questions we knew we would talk about each day, one of which being “how did you pour into someone younger or older than you?”

I am actually pretty big on building relationships across grade levels. We have a smaller group, so it is important for our older kids to understand their influence on younger kids.

But at the same time, last year I had some younger kids on leadership team and I wanted them to learn their responsibility in developing relationship with older kids. Sound strange? It is, but I tried it.

So, imagine my delight when I saw a soon to be senior walking back from water activities with a soon to be 8th grader.

Those “gap” meetings were simple, short, and something I plan to repeat this year. They were a way for me to help teach a new mindset to a group of students.

So, if you’re a Youth Pastor, let me challenge you this summer to make the most of your schedule at camp. Do not try to force anything, but if the opportunity arises, make the most of the schedule gaps you have at camp.

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Learning to Communicate Expectations

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Along my leadership journey, I have realized I am a thinker. I love pondering. I love dreaming up new ways to do things.

I am not, however, able to efficiently communicate all that I dream up. And in that tension, I face a few problems–specifically, the inability of those around me to read my mind.

Enter the need for today’s thought: Communicate Expectations.

Goals and values only provide motivation when they are communicated to those around me.

Basic standards of behavior only become basic standards when they are communicated.

Success can only be experienced when a picture of success has been presented-a target to aim at.

What does this look like in a youth ministry setting? Set volunteers up to win by letting them know what’s expected.

Equip student leaders by setting forth clear expectations.

Change the existing culture by painting a picture for what could be and what should be.

Communicate what you’re thinking (when it is appropriate) and see the difference it makes.

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Encouraging Students to Experiment with Leadership

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On Tuesday I talked about the need to redefine leadership potential. If you missed it, click here to read it.

Today, let’s talk about how to provide a way for students to dip their toes into leadership.

Over the past year, I’ve been teaching a group of student leaders to ask themselves three questions when they walk into our youth room.

  1. What needs to be done? (Awareness)
  2. What can I do to help? (Willingness)
  3. Who can I get to help? (Leadership)

As they work to answer these questions, their outlook on what constitutes leadership has changed. Leadership isn’t something accomplished only from the stage. Leadership happens when one person is able to move another person (or a group of people) in a common direction for a common purpose.

If I can teach an 8th grader the basic principles of leadership, and give them opportunities to exercise leadership, then as they mature and progress through our ministry, they will lead more effectively at a later age.

More than anything else, as I have redefined leadership potential, my desire is to teach students an awareness of what’s going on around them, and a willingness to help.

If you want to read more about the 3 questions, check out the “Foundation” page, or search through the 3 Questions category here on the site.

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