|
Back
Click here
to download in .pdf format to print
First United Methodist Church Youth
Ministry
I. MISSION STATEMENT
The mission and ministry of our youth program is based on five core
principles:
Evangelism - Community - Discipleship - Ministry - Worship
Or mission is to Reach out to the youth
of the church and the community, Connect
them with a Christian Community, help them to Grow in
their faith through love
and spiritual nurture, to help them Discover their God given gifts
and graces for
ministry so that they can Honor God with their lives
II. QUALIFICATIONS OF SMALL GROUP LEADERS
Leaders are SERVANTS who communicate
God's TRUTH and lead their
groups in PRAYER, MINISTRY, AND SPIRITUAL GROWTH by MODELING
the Christian life for others.
CHRIST FOLLOWER - Having a PASSION for Jesus
Christ
Our goal as Christ Followers is to become complete in Christ
[Col 1:28]
Though not expected to be perfect, we are expected to
be mature in our faith:
Turn from sin in your life [1 John 1:9; Romans 6:6]
Spend time in God's Word and prayer [Col 3:16; 1 Peter 2:2]
Be controlled by the Holy Spirit [Romans 7:6; Ephesians 5:18]
Use your gifts for ministry [Romans 12:3-8; 1 Peter 4:10-11]
CHARACTER - paying attention to their HEART.
Depth of character is a matter of becoming
more Christ - like and less like the world
Being transformed into the image of Christ instead of conformed to the
world [Phil 1:9-10]
Developing a character worthy of leadership [1Thess 1:3; 1 Tim 1:5]
COMPETENCE - able to LEAD and GUIDE a group
Ability to set the direction, keep
the group focused and guided toward the purpose
Take the time to develop skill necessary to effectively facilitate a
small group [Matt 4:19, Acts 6:1-7]
COMPATIBILITY - a TEMPERAMENT and a PASSION to lead a group.
Teamwork is essential in any ministry
Using your Spiritual Gifts to lead groups alongside other
leaders [Acts 6:2; Romans 12:8]
COMMITMENT - DOING what it TAKES!
Small group leaders are committed to the
vision of the ministry and to Christ
Small group leadership requires commitment - not convenience
Small group leaders are committed to nurturing the participants - growing
them in Christ
Small group Leaders are committed to reaching others for Jesus as they
are able
[Matthew 28:18-20; Romans 16:3-4; 2 Timothy 2:2]
CAPACITY - an ABILITY to SERVE YOUTH and CARE for them.
Leading a small group is serving others
and doing whatever it takes to get it done
This means having the time, energy, and resources to serve
Over commitment and other distractions diminish the effectiveness of
the group [1 Timothy 3:4-5]
III. APPROPRIATE MOTIVES/ACTIONS FOR SMALL GROUP LEADERS
Glorify the Lord
"Whatever you do, work at it with all
your heart, as working for the Lord,
not for men since you know that you will receive an inheritance from
the Lord
as a reward. It is the Lord Jesus Christ you are serving." [Col
3:23-24]
Bear Fruit in Your Life - Clear Testimony about Your Faith
"This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing
yourselves to be my disciples." [John 15:8]
Be an Example
"Be shepherds of God's flock that is under
your care, serving as 'overseers,' not
because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be;
not for
greed or money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted
to you but
being examples to the flock. [1Peter 5:2-4]
Give God's Message of Love and Reconciliation
"...that God was reconciling the world
to himself in Christ, not counting men's
sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.
We
are therefore Christ's ambassadors ..." [2 Corinthians 5:19]
"Evangelism" is scary to many people
- mature Christ Followers included. It comes
from the Greek word Evangelion - and means bearer of good news. Note
the root word
is 'angelion' or angel which means messenger. An evangelist is a messenger
of good news.
Successful small groups are ones that have evangelism as a continuing
mission.
IV. INAPPROPRIATE MOTIVES/ACTIONS FOR SMALL
GROUP LEADERS
Self - Exaltation, Importance, or Personal
Prestige
"We speak as men [women] approved by God to be entrusted with
the gospel. We
are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts." [1
Thess 2:4]
Lone Ranger Leadership
Running your own program on your own without adhering to Youth Ministry
guidelines
and teamwork necessary for successful small groups. Trying to do everything
yourself
without delegating appropriate things to the participants.
Because Someone Pressured You
"Be shepherds of God's flock that is under
your care, serving ... not because
you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be."
[1 Peter 5:2]
Short Fuse, Outbursts of Anger, Un-Christ
like Language or Demeanor
James tells us that the anger of a person does not achieve the righteousness
of God [Jas 1:19]
God's work is accomplished by someone who listens, speaks only when
necessary, and is slow to anger. Your language must be above reproach.
Your demeanor like that of Jesus.
Unconfessed Sin
"If we confess our sons before God, he is faithful and will
forgive us our sins and
cleanse us from all unrighteousness." [1 John 1:9]
Small group leaders cannot be living in sin that they have not dealt
with appropriately.
This may disqualify you as a leader.
Biblical Error or False Teaching
Paul warned Timothy to watch for false teachers who lead people away
from the words
of faith and of sound doctrine. We are a United Methodist Church, and
as such our
teaching must adhere to the doctrinal standards of United Methodism
as found in the
Book of Discipline. Discussion of other points of view are always going
to occur.
The job of a small group leader is to facilitate conversation and not
to win over
students to your particular beliefs especially if they differ from Methodist
beliefs.
V. QUALITIES OF D-TEAM LEADERS
1. Spiritual Qualities:
A. Leaders Pray - a healthy relationship with God is crucial in
communicating a relationship with God to your students.
Leaders talk to God about the students before they talk to the
students about God.
B. Leaders Study - you cannot lead where you
have not been
You cannot share what you do not own.
Leaders model a daily reverent time of devotion.
C. Leaders are Self Controlled - model control
over your mouth,
in comments, jokes, words used, and in way you forgive.
D. Leaders Model - look for appropriate ways
to share your faith.
Look for specific students to mentor
Recognize that even trivial behaviors can be significantly contagious
with students
2. Physical Qualities:
A. Proximity
Leaders are visible - act like a leader
Leaders are available - be where students are
B. Purity
Leaders respect student boundaries
Leaders avoid questionable contact
Leaders offer positive contact when appropriate
3. Emotional Qualities:
A. Even Tempered - don't erupt!
Temper tantrums can communicate dislike rather than frustration
with students. Use hot situations to demonstrate godly coolness!
B. Discerning - don't leak!
Keep confidences
Keep gossip to a minimum
Think and pray before you share personal areas of your life
C. Flexible - don't whine!
We are in these groups for the students. Don't let them think otherwise.
V. RULES FOR D-TEAMS
A. General Rules
1. God Honoring language: no swearing or gossip. vulgar,
offensive or abusive speech
2. God honoring diet: no smoking,
drinking, sniffing etc. [you get the idea]
3. God honoring touch - no fighting
- no 'purple'
4. God honoring boundaries:
Respect physical boundaries: dorms, off limit areas in homes
Respect property boundaries: do not touch what is not yours
Respect personal boundaries: be sensitive to desires of others
5. God honoring schedule: don't
be late
6. God honoring relationships:
Respect other students
Respect staff and volunteers
Respect other ministries
|