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Monthly column for youth leaders

Holiday tasks

'Okay, class, term's over, have a lovely holiday. There is one more thing though. That is the small matter of your homework for the summer. This year I would like you to have a go at the six 'Rs'.'

Review

Take the time to look back over the last 12 months. Ask yourself what has worked well and what has not. Did you set any goals last year? Were they achieved? What have been the high spots and the real buzzes? What would you rather forget? Is there anything that you would approach differently if you were given a second chance?

These are the sorts of questions to ask at this time of year. It is an appropriate time to do so, since youth work tends to follow the academic year. If possible review the year with others. Other people can be more objective. Those who have themselves been involved during the year deserve an input too. Then take time to thank God for all he has been doing.

Re-vision

Having looked back over the year the next step is to review the larger picture. Have you moved successfully in the direction of the vision for your ministry? Which of the larger goals have you reached? Perhaps there is no vision and your work with the young people is a series of shots in the dark. Now is the chance to ask bigger questions. What is your aim in youth ministry? How are you trying to do good biblical youth ministry?

It is important to be clear on the overall vision as it shapes the things we do. However it need not be set in stone. You need to review the big picture and adjust to changing circumstances, or sometimes admit that you've bitten off more than you can chew. It is possible to adjust the vision without compromising your aim of doing good biblical youth ministry. Ask God to guide you as you seek to make young people into good disciples.

Re-strategise

Whether or not the vision changes you need to work out your strategy for the next 12 months. Again it is good to do this with others, particularly those to whom you are responsible. Some of the decisions here could be big ones, so it is important to take time, discuss, go through the proper channels and especially to pray.

Here are some things to think about. What is the goal for next year and what are the action steps on the way to achieving it? What are the forces that help and hinder your steps towards that goal? How is the work going to be done next year, and by whom? Do you, personally, need to cut back in one area and expand in another?

Rewrite the boundaries

At this point our six 'Rs' take a broader remit. We've spent time examining the job we do, what about our wider ministry? What's going to be new and different about us after the summer? What boundaries can we break out of this summer? I'm not advocating law-breaking or upsetting people, some boundaries are there for a reason. I'm asking us to challenge personal limits.

Why don't you do something different, write a song, or a piece of writing, learn to juggle or play the guitar? Is there something other than youth work you can become involved in to widen your circle of 'neighbours'? In the words of a favourite old television programme 'Why don't you switch off the TV and do something less boring instead?'

Recharge the batteries

When you're completely bushed after 12 months grind there are many different ways to get spiritually fit. Your Bible study can be less squeezed during the summer than at other times of the year. Why not really make it a feast each day, instead of a snack on the run? How about trying a completely different set of notes, a new study guide or book of the Bible?

There are many ways to supplement this feast each day. You could try sermon tapes from church or a conference. You could have a morning in town, visit your Christian bookshop and take a book out for a coffee. If you're like me, you've probably got a shelf full of unread or unfinished books. This summer is the time to tackle that shelf. If you need a recommendation how about Changing the World (through effective youth ministry) by Ken Moser (Aquila Press, distributed by The Good Book Company). Not only will it recharge your batteries, but it will help you consider the other 'Rs' too.

Relaxation

Now you can put your feet up. Lie on a beach. Play sport. What do you mean there's no time left?

Roger Fawcett