From time to time we’re going to take a pause from the normal posts and take the time to answer a few questions from you: The Youth Ministry Nation. Here are a few we received and some thoughts about each.
I’m just starting out in youth ministry, where do I begin?
Great question! There are a ton of places to start, but we would focus on your purpose statement/vision, building a great volunteer team, and creating your main youth group gathering. If you want a couple great books to read on exactly those topics, check out Doug Fields’ First Two Years in Youth Ministry or Mark Devries’ Sustainable Youth Ministry. Both absolutely must-reads for those who want to start out right!
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Use text messages to “Communicate” with your students, parents, and volunteers!
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Where do you find the time to blog / write?
I’m (Josh) typing this at 12:38 am on my day off. Ha! Honestly, both of us try to fit blogging and writing into our lives because it is a priority to us. Josh tends to write after work, while Kurt likes to head to Starbucks at the crack of dawn. It takes some serious sacrifices, but it is great for each of us as leaders and we hope it is helpful for you, too.
I want to quit. Help!
This is normal. It happens to youth workers from time to time. We’ve wanted to quit before as well. In fact, trying to reel Josh and his crazy ideas in has made me (Kurt) want to quit on a regular basis! But don’t do it just yet. You need to sort through the feelings and make sure it is God calling you to move on and not an overwhelming emotion that is causing you to run away. Talk to a mentor or close friend. Spend some time alone with God. Take a vacation. Ask for help with Simply Soul Care. Don’t be frustrated that you feel this way; it has happened to the best of us if you aren’t feeling it right now hang on because it may be just around the corner!
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Use text messages to “Communicate” with your students, parents, and volunteers!
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What is the best program to text my students?
There are a ton of great options out there—Simply TOOLS: Communicate is very effective. Students can sign up or opt out with just a text message, and it’s cheap and effective for most youth groups.