Monthly youth leaders column

What a way to start a new year when we should all be thinking positive thoughts, longing to get started after the Christmas break. The term’s programme is planned, all the rotas sorted, the team are briefed and you’re ready to go.

But some terms’ work is hard to start. Over Christmas, there were some discouragements and the response to the wonder of the Incarnation was less than lukewarm. The group still meets but there doesn’t seem to be a great deal of enthusiasm around the place. How do you deal with discouragement, because it is part of the youth ministry deal? You long for young people to be back in the group who have left for pastures new and are really getting involved in service away from their home church and you seem to have been left with all the half dead ones. This can really get you down because you can’t see a way to improve things.

A few pointers:

1 Pray

Sorry if that’s a bit obvious but it really is the first port of call. We are to ‘pray and not give up’ (Luke 18.1). We are action men and women and God really must struggle to get a word in edgeways to our busy lives. Give him the chance to speak.

Tell God how you feel about your group and its members. Thank him for the ones who give you some encouragement and tell him about the ones that frustrate you. Ask God for fresh vision — for divine strength to do the job. Tell him you’re discouraged and ask him to point you in a new direction. Too often our prayers are too stereotyped and we are afraid to tell God what is in our hearts (including the difficulties).

2 Plan again

Take a look at what you are doing — does it need freshening up? Have you run out of ideas and you can’t even decide what to teach them? Take time to think about the group and ask God to give you a ministry plan which will speak God’s truth to your young people. You probably think you have little spare time but a good plan will save you time because you will know what you’re trying to do.

3 Get reinforcements

There are a lot of people who could be involved in youth ministry who are doing nothing. Do you have someone to pray with? You, as a youth leader, are in front-line gospel work and you need back up. Could someone else do your admin? Could someone maintain your resources? Can you find a catering manager? Even if you’re in a small church and you have a small group, a mentor figure is crucial to give you back up.

4 Talk to your group

Be honest with them. Set them a few goals for the coming year (don’t be un-realistic) but don’t be afraid to suggest that we need to focus on Jesus and ask his will for the group. Don’t tell them you’re disappointed with them but ask them if we should all be focused on what God’s will is for this group. Call a prayer meeting and, even if you only get two young people, make sure you pray with them.

5 Go somewhere

There are some good conferences you can go to. The Good Book Company runs an excellent conference at the end of January and Keswick Ministries will come and run a ‘ROOT 66’ training course in your own patch if that would help your team to grow. (Look at the Root 66 website.)

Discouragement can easily drag you down — everything in you is saying ‘give up’. But God needs labourers who will press on and keep working. Be prepared to look at your work in a new way to give it a new freshness and vitality and there are people out there who are able to help.

I'm fed up...

A few pointers:

1 Pray

2 Plan again

3 Get reinforcements

4 Talk to your group

5 Go somewhere

Dave Fenton

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