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Monthly youth leaders column

Well done and thank you

I was once soundly rebuked by a member of the congregation for daring to ask the gathered flock to give someone a round of applause because they had given a great service to the church. I was told his ‘reward was in heaven and he didn’t need us to make an unseemly noise in the church’.

However, I have been in youth meetings where if I had heard ‘give him a round of applause’ one more time I would have felt fairly ill. But I wonder if some of us have gone to the other extreme. Paul seems to be encouraged when in Romans he says he wants to see this group of believers that he ‘may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith’ (Romans 1.12).

Nauseating

It can become quite nauseating when all say to all ‘you were great’ when clearly they hadn’t been. Other people’s faith and service for the Lord should encourage us as we see them exercising their ministry and I see no reason why that should not be given some acknowledgement. Of course, the ‘well done, good and faithful servant’ will come for those who enter into the joy of the Lord but, in the meantime, let us encourage one another with some words. When someone has served the youth group faithfully, it is essential we find ways of saying thank you to them. Maybe a quiet word just after it’s happened but, if we are to build up our youth team, we need to create a culture of encouragement which will mean that younger leaders will grow in stature and their gifts will develop.

We like feedback

We seem to like feedback but there are a limited number of people who can give constructive feedback. If we are to get better at what we do then suggestions about future ways of doing things need to be taken on board. But that should be given by a mature Christian who is evaluating on proper criteria and with an understanding of good practice. But everyone can give encouragement — it is a strong motivation for us to keep going. We do not do ministry ‘to please men’ (1 Thessalonians 2.4), but if it is possible to encourage our fellow workers then let’s do it. I know a youth leader who has worked very faithfully in a parish for six years and never once received any encouragement from his line manager — that is a disgrace and, although he would not consider himself perfect, he has done a thorough job.

How can this be achieved?

1. Make a regular practice of encouraging your team both individually and corporately.
2. Encourage young people to be thankful for what they receive in the youth group.
3. Say thank you to all your team for their contribution — try to be specific to show you’ve noticed.
4. On an occasional basis, ask your church leader to express the thanks of the church to the youth team.
5. Send a birthday card to team members and express your thanks for their contribution on it.
6. Each year, give an opportunity to express corporate thanks to all those who work with young people; a dedication Sunday can help with this.
7. Have a meal or some other social gathering on a regular basis but not too often.

In my view there is nothing wrong with a public acknowledgement to a team that has faithfully served the church. Let’s be careful with our criticism and do it with grace and gentleness, but let’s make sure we build up our teams — encouragement costs nothing but means everything.

Dave Fenton

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<< August 2008 >>