Be thorough... It matters!

In my last post which was a comment answering a question from a reader, I made a few spelling errors which I noticed later after the fact... I am sorry! You see, I am not the worlds best speller and often details escape me. But if I have learned anything of value in the bunches of years I've been doing ministry it's this... pay attention to the details. High quality (professionalism) plus intentionality plus details equals trust!

Let me say it another way... when we as youth leaders throw things together at the last minute and publish information that has mistakes and smudges; when we miss deadlines and under-deliver on promises we make in public, our credibility and trustworthiness go down the drain along with our ministries. What I shared with you last time was a bit of sloppy, off-the-cuff, and not very well-thought out, but very sincere and truthful information. I believe in this stuff, but sometimes I do a really lousy job of saying it clearly and effectively. I am sorry! I am all for giving each other grace... I am truly grateful, thankful and humbled by grace. But, in our ministry context, how are people perceiving us and our ability to lead? Is this making any sense to anyone? My mentor in youth ministry (DW) was the master of intentional, creative, and clear communication. If the mailing (we did not have the Internet/digital forms of communication in those days) looked sloppy, or words were misspelled, or information did not make sense, we recycled and started over. At least we recycled! We did not try to save money or time... he knew that our credibility and trustworthiness was at stake.

As you prepare for a busy Fall, and you are getting ready for the Fall, right? Pay attention to the details and don't let anything slide until it looks and sounds and feels right... make it clear, make it creative and make it correct! And for those of you with the "pastor/teacher" gifts... make it concise! Be thorough... it really does matter, and our reputations are at stake. Thanks for putting up with all my "typos" and for the grace to be counted as one of the "called" to student ministry!

Question for Tim about the New School Year

Hey Tim,

Do you have any advice for transitioning new students into the youth group?  As a new year begins are there some things you would suggest as "Must Do"s, to draw new students in as the community reconfigures itself?

Tim Bistline on Self-care in Youth Ministry

I have been around for awhile in youth ministry... that either makes me steadfast and wise, or stupid and immature! Feel free to comment on that!

Sabbath rest has been an invaluable spiritual discipline in the last 10 years of ministry. It was something I had to learn the hard way; I almost sacrificed my marriage on the altar of ministry, but that is another blog for another time. I think it is critical to ask for/demand a "day off" in your ministry; a day to not do anything related to ministry for others. Take a day and get a project around the house done, or exercise, or read a fun book, or watch a great movie for the 10th time... a day to clear your head and soul... a day to let God's Spirit pour into you.

There is also time to take out of your ministry schedule to network with other youth leaders for the sake of building friendship, mentorship and accountability. I have several youth pastors that I stay connected with for the purpose of friendship; plus they completely understand what I am going through in ministry and the toll it sometimes takes on my family!

Finally, I would challenge you to take some personal time (not counted vacation time) when you return home from a retreat, mission trip, etc. When a big event is coming, there is "prep hours" to consider, hours while on the trip (remember that there are 24 hours in a day and you are in charge even when other are asleep), and there are the hours cleaning up from the event or hours cleaning and returning the rental vans. Add all those hours up and what do you get? Personal time, not vacation hours, etc. You have served others and your church leadership owes it to you to give you some sabbath rest. Need an advocate? I am happy to meet with any Senior pastor or leadership team who might needs some persuading.

Get some "rest" before the Fall schedule begins, and watch what God will do in and through you! Even God rested on the Sabbath... Peace

Tim Bistline

Helping Kids Consider Military Service

Behind the Camouflage,  a workshop for pastors and youth counselors on the moral and spiritual questions that surround a decision to enlist in the military will be held at Franklin & Marshall College on October 22, 2011, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. 

The conveners of the workshop are:  Rev. Bill Worley, U.S. Marine Chaplain and Pastor of First Reformed United Church of Christ in Lancaster
Titus Peachey, Director of Peace Education for Mennonite Central Committee U.S.  Rev. Susan Minasian, Office of the Chaplain and Religious and Spiritual Life at Franklin and Marshall College. 

The workshop will include a screening of the film, “Soldiers of Conscience,” a panel of respondents and open discussion.

Registration information will be available in late August.
Questions:  Contact Titus Peachey: tmp@mcc.org   PH:  717 859-1151

Question for Tim about Sabbath Rest

Tim Bistline has agreed to answering some questions about youth ministry.  So I'll present this one to you, Tim, to answer at your leisure. 

In your last post, you talked about the importance of finding Sabbath Rest.  I love that phrase!  What are some ways that youth pastors and other youth workers can find Sabbath Rest throughout the week?  You've been around for a while -- what works and what doesn't?

(Editorial License:  Tim and I are about the same age, so I can say things like "You've been around for awhile!"  : ))

A Fond Farewell to Marilou

The PRC here in Lancaster bids a fond farewell to Marilou Adams, who began this blog and who oversaw our youth ministry department for several years.  Marilou's husband has accepted a call from a church in Wisconsin -- one of the few Mennonite churches in Wisconsin.  We will miss her and we thank her for her work in Youth Ministry. 

the things you do as a youth pastor

This may have been the most challenging week of my many years in ministry... our Senior Pastor is on vacation, and our Worship Pastor has been away. Due to the number of years and experiences I have had over the years in ministry, I was put in charge to "hold down the fort"! Monday we ministered to a family who needed a church family; the patriarch of the family died unexpectedly and they were without a church family. All week, I prepared for a Thursday funeral for a family I barely knew. Wednesday night, our church offices were broken into and all our computers were stolen... I have a laptop and by God's grace I had the machine with me. I preached 3 services today and officiated at an Eagle Scout ceremony for one of our youth. I guess I need to reexamine my job description. More importantly, I need to remember that when God "called" me to serve Him and I said "yes" He gave me unique gifts for me to use and share. He wants me... us to use our gifts for His glory. And sometimes, that means using your gifts outside the arena of student ministries. Don't allow people to limit your gifts and "call" to ministry. God will use you and wants to use all of your gifts to lift up the "body of Christ". Now that you've worked on the sabbath, make sure you find some sabbath rest this week. Sty tuned for more frequent posts and feel free to comment with questions or suggestions on blog ideas. Peace!