NO ONE LEADS ALONE

No one leads alone.  As the famous quote goes, if you are leading, and no one is following, you are just taking a walk.   This week we continue looking at the value of a team.  We will again look at what John Maxwell calls “The Law of Dividends” from his book The 17 Indisputable Laws of Teamwork.  

In Colossians we see the indispensable need of a team.  Colossians 4:7 states “Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant.”   Paul desires to write a letter to the church in Colossae to address some concerns and encourage the church.  However, he is in prison and in chains.  Paul is dependent not only on someone to write the letter, but on someone to deliver this letter.  Tychicus serves as the deliverer of Paul’s letter.  Paul is dependent on the support of a team.

Here are things to consider when developing your team:

1.      Give credit for success to the team.  You cannot do ministry alone.  We must express appreciation and gratitude to those who volunteer and invest in your students.  Honor them and celebrate their successes.  You could not succeed without them.

2.      Watch to see that investment to the team is paying off.  This is accountability for the responsibility each team member carries.  Be willing to lovingly address issues in your team that need to be addressed.   Help them grow and encourage them to mature as leaders.

3.      Stop your investment in those who do not grow.  This is stewardship.  Some team members might harbor character and attitude issues that could negatively affect the rest of the group.  Negative team members are a burden to the team, can hinder growth, and become divisive.  Be wise in who is part of your team.   

4.      Create new opportunities.  This helps with burnout and ensures longevity.  Give team members opportunity to excel in their gifts and talents.  Find out what they are passionate about and use that as a springboard for new opportunities.  This will help they buy in to what you are doing, and help them feel they are adding value to the ministry they are a part of.

5.      Give your team the best possible chance to succeed.  As we have stated before, our greatest success is the success of our team.  Encourage them, teach them, and release them to succeed.  Your ministry and students will be better for it.

Where a true leader is, there is vision.  Where there is a team, there is the fulfillment of a vision.  We as leaders are dependent on those we lead.  What victories have your team members had this year?  How have you celebrated these successes? Find ways to encourage you team, celebrate your team, and honor their successes.  This develops quality and longevity in the valued team member.

In most cases our team members are volunteering time, money and efforts toward the ministry they are involved in.  There are a number of other things they could be doing, but they choose to serve your ministry.  Let us honor those who have chosen to be a part of our team.

Source for Article: The 17 Indisputable Laws of Teamwork, John Maxwell.

Abe Daniel - District Student Ministries Director

Northern California and Nevada Assemblies of God Student Ministries

BE THE INFLUENCE

When needing advice,  a teenager is likely to turn first to a friend (55%), followed by mom (44%),  then a boyfriend or girlfriend (23%), and finally a dad (20%).  In recent years adolescents have had fewer opportunities for times of interaction and communication with their parents and other adults.

Parents in our culture are allowing their kids to be raised by culture. With the busy work schedule and day-to-day tasks, family dinners and one-on-one time with Dad or Mom is no longer the norm. The more we allow this generation to be raised by the culture the more they are going to look like it and be highly influenced by it.

 Studies have shown that a boy or girl adopted at a young age grow up to look like their adopted parents, not so much in physical features but in mannerisms and expressions. So much so, that in some cases you would not have any idea that person had been adopted. The world and its sinful culture have “adopted” your kids and students, and become a great point of influence.  By looking at many students who claim to follow Christ, you would not be able to tell they are not of this world.

            Our greatest challenge is combating the influence of culture in the few hours a week we get with students who come through our door.  Let us pray for this generation as we continue to find ways to be the influence to this generation, and lead, teach, and guide them in to the way of Christ.

Be the Influence.

John Zick  -  Youth Culture Specialist

NCN Student Ministries Office

TEAM LEADERSHIP

Over the next couple of weeks, we will explore what John Maxwell calls “The Law of Dividends.”  In his book The 17 Indisputable Laws of Teamwork, Maxwell explains its meaning by stating that the ‘Law of Dividends’ is “investing in a team compounds over time.”  It examines how we can build on the quality of our team over time by how we invest in that team on a regular basis.

Ephesians 4:12 states that we are “to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.”  How are you equipping and investing in to your leaders?

 Think of an investment in a bank.  When you regularly invest in a savings or retirement, it does not just add up, it begins to multiply because of interest compounded.  Such is the case when investing in leaders.  When we regularly invest in our leaders, students, and volunteers -- what we get and what they get compounds over time and results in the development of quality leadership and character.

We must be good stewards of the people God has placed under our leadership.  1 Corinthians 4:2 states “Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy.”  Invest wisely in to those God has entrusted to you.

Here are some things to consider when investing in your team:

1. Make the decision to build the team.  Build a team. Pursue leaders.  Invest in others.  Scripture teaches us to equip the saints.  Pastors are not called to do ministry alone, but to develop and equip others to do the work of the ministry.  Build the team!

2.  Build the best team possible. When it comes to leaders, go after the best, or develop the best!  Pursue those who you believe would be a great value to your team, and invest in those who desire to invest in your students.

3.  Pay the price to develop the team.  Invest time, money, and resources in to your leadership team.  You will reap great rewards.  Your ministry will see greater growth when you invest in the leadership, who then will invest in your students.  When you invest in your leaders, you multiply your ability to minister to your students and community.

4. Do things together as a team.  Model teamwork to your team.  Do things together as a team.  Find ways to build healthy relationships within your team. Have lunch together, play together, work together, and dream together.  Build community among your leaders to create a cohesiveness that brings a strong bond to your team and models healthy relationships to your students.

5. Empower your team.   Find ways to bring them success.  Coach them through ministries they lead and develop.  Honor their successes and strengthen their weakness.  Set them up for the win. Your greatest success is the success of your team. 

Looking back over the last year, how have you invested in your team?  Look ahead, how will you invest in your team this year?  Take some time to ask yourself how you can invest both collectively in team, and how you can invest in each individual leader.  Find ways to invest in them over a period of time for growth and investment. 

As you develop a healthy team and invest in them over time, you will find great success and your leaders will become who God purposed them to be.  Invest wisely in those God has entrusted to you.

Source for Article: The 17 Indisputable Laws of Teamwork, John Maxwell

Abe Daniel - District Student Ministries Director

Northern California and Nevada Assemblies of God Student Ministries

GENERATIONAL DIVIDE

Much of the success of the church depends on the ability of different generations to work together. Congregations have been split over generational clashes, of both belief and behavior. Ministries have struggled to answer the question, “How do we move forward while not forsaking the past?” Perhaps the better question to ask is, “Are we that different after all?” Barna Group recently surveyed three generations on their personal faith, and their results were not as varied as their ages:

Here is what their research reveals:

Source: Barna Group - 2012

John Zick  -  Youth Culture Specialist

NCN Student Ministries Office

CONFRONTING CONFLICT

One of the great privileges of leadership is helping shape the lives of people.  We are given the opportunity to help others grow, change and mature in to who God created each person to be.   We are giving the opportunity to develop ministry.  For many, change does not come easily, and often results in conflict.  Conflict is a natural and necessary part of growth in the life of people and ministry.  

Many find conflict to be a difficult thing.   It challenges comforts, issues of sin, relationships, leadership and the status quo.  Conflict can create fear and paralyze us from moving forward.   It can be caused by a myriad of things such as sin, immaturity, or simply creative differences.

Matthew 5:23 states “If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.”  Scripture compels us to deal with conflict in a wise and healthy manner, but it does not teach us to avoid it.

Here is what happens when we avoid conflict:

·         Avoiding Conflict Prevents Vision – Conflict not dealt with stops vision.  It causes us to shift our eyes from the big picture to the small problems.  It grips us with worry about the situations at hand.  We no longer look up to the vision ahead, but instead we look at the problems around us.  When Peter took his eyes of Jesus and saw the water coming, he began to sink.  Conflict will come, but don’t shift your eyes off of the vision God gives you.

·         Avoiding Conflict Prevents Growth – When conflict is not dealt with, it stops growth.  We avoid making changes and we never see progress.  Fear grips us from ever moving forward with creativity or new ideas because we have become paralyzed by fear of conflict. 

·         Avoiding Conflict Limits Ministry – Many ministries remain limited and see little involvement because they are bound by the wounds of conflict.   This is often caused by poor conflict management or because an issue was never resolved or dealt with properly.  It can also be caused because we personalize the problems.  Bad conflict management causes us to not trust people.  Undealt with wounds from conflict keep us from using others and helping others growing in ministry.

The reality is that conflict is inevitable.  We must learn how to deal with it in a healthy manner.  Here are some practical ways to deal with conflict:

·         Find Healthy Solutions.  Have the attitude that you want to help this person grow and become better. Work toward constructive conflict that creates solutions to help bring clarification and resolution.  If someone is not willing to deal with it or find a workable solution then move on. Don’t dwell on the issue.  If you have handled it properly then leave it along and “shake off the dust” and move on.  You have done your part. 

·         Seek Wisdom and Counsel.  Most likely, someone has dealt with a similar issue that you are currently facing.  Know that you don’t have all the answers, and the humility will go a long way when dealing with conflict .  Mentors will have advice and insight that can help you properly handle whatever you are facing.    

·         Pick Your Battles.   Some things do need to be let go.  Don’t make the mistake of turning a minor in to a major.  Counsel helps you learn the measuring stick of how to deal with conflict.   Some things are simply because of taste, preference, or personal style.  When you spend so much time dealing with minor issues, it weakens your leadership when you need to deal with major issues.  Learn the balance of dealing with conflict.

·         Attitude is Everything.   Scripture teaches us to come with a soft tongue.  Pray for God to give you the right attitude so that you can address the issue with a clear state of mind.  Know your own personal limitations so that a wrong attitude does not get in the way.   Go with the attitude that we are called to serve. Even when we are right, if our attitude is wrong, it can unnecessarily further the problem. 

·         Communication is the Key.  But up front and honest.  Be clear and fully informed.  Listen to what they have to say.   Listening is a powerful tool in conflict. Don’t assume you know the whole story or have it all figure out.  Often, conflict is present because of misinformation or partial information.   Work towards a workable plan to communicate for resolution.  

Conflict can be healthy.  Conflict comes because something needs to change.  It shows you want to move forward, make change, and see progress in ministry or the life of an individual. John Maxwell states “The best team doesn’t always win; it’s usually the team that gets along best.”  Learn how to handle conflict so that we can do all that God has called us to do.

Abe Daniel - District Student Ministries Director

Northern California and Nevada Assemblies of God Student Ministries

COACHING INTO GREATNESS

During the last few months I’ve had the opportunity to coach junior high basketball. Through all the long practices, time away from the office and everything else that comes from a grueling season - I can now say it was all worth it.

5 of the 7 players now are activators and leaders in our student ministry. They regularly attend Wednesday evenings - serving in ministry positions, they dove deeper by plugging into a small group discipleship program and I’m allowed the privilege to be a part of their growth.

Even though our season has ended (with a winning record for the first time in six years) my coaching has not stopped, but only increased. I’m taking some lessons learned from the court and applying them to the movement.

As student ministry pastors we are placed in a unique position - to help coach students into the greatness that God has for them and for others through them.

Here are three quick things that I’m embracing as a coach:

1)  Nothing is more powerful than the team.

When the team played well together, we’d win games. The opposite is very true as well, when we lost, it was because we failed to play as a team.

With all the drama, competitive nature and cliques that can be found in student ministry... we can ensure more wins for the team and the Kingdom when we bring students together as a team, fighting side by side for something greater than ourselves.

2)  Know when to press and when to fall back.

We played a few teams that were faster than us. You can’t pull off a successful press when your defense gets blown by leaving you at a disadvantage on the other end of the court.

As coaches in ministry, we have to be aware of the issues we need to press and the issues that we should just let go. Some may say pick your battles, I say focus on the non-negotiable. Let’s move students into heart transformation instead of spending a wealth of time on behavior modification.

3)  Win together - Lose together

One rule with my team was that win or lose we will ride back to our home court together. I wanted to be able to focus their attention on how to improve and what we did well instead of letting them curse the refs or other negative elements outside of our control.

We win together and we lose together. Some of the greatest moments of ministry take place when we lose together - they are teachable moments where students, adults and even ourselves are most open to change and improvement.

Don Shula, famed coach of the Miami Dolphins, once remarked “I think what coaching is all about, is taking players and analyzing there ability, put them in a position where they can excel within the framework of the team winning. And I hope that I've done that in my 33 years as a head coach.”

Greater things are coming for the Kingdom of God as we coach students into living in the greatness of God. How awesome it will when we look back at the finish and declare, “We’ve coached well.”

Justin Simmons serves as our area leader for the Sierra Nevada Section.

He is the Youth Pastor at Capital Christian Center in Carson City, NV