11 VALUES OF A GOOD YOUTH WORKER
These are the ELEVEN VALUES that our Junior High Leaders live by. They’re the relational characteristics that each person in this ministry should hold as important and strive to embody. As relational Leaders we value…
1. A WILLINGNESS TO ENGAGE
It’s important to overcome fear and continually approach and engage with all kinds of students in our ministry. 1 Thessalonians 2:8- We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.
2. LAUGHTER AND FUN
It’s important to lighten up and enjoy the many blessings God has given to us. John 10:10- The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
3. TRANSPARENCY AND AUTHENTICITY
It’s important to be yourself, lower the masks, and be vulnerable with each other and the students we serve. 1 Corinthians 2:3-4- I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power.
4. ENCOURAGEMENT
It’s important to be positive and uplifting to everyone. A student or leader should feel better about who they are after being around you. 1 Thessalonians 5:12- Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you.
5. THE POWER OF BEING THERE
It’s important to be present in our student’s lives. We need to show up to their games, functions, and activities so they know they can count on us when things are hard. Hebrews 13:7- Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.
6. BEING “OTHERS ORIENTED”
It’s important to put others first. Live to give and care more for the comfort of another than for the comfort of yourself. Romans 12:10- Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
7. COMMUNICATING CARE
It’s important that we care for our students and each other. The cliché is true… people don’t care what you know until they know how much you care. John 13:34-35- Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
8. FOLLOW THROUGH
It’s important to be faithful to your commitments to students, leaders, and this ministry. 2 Timothy 4:7- I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
9. SPIRITUAL GROWTH
It’s important to be continually and actively growing closer to Jesus. We cannot lead a student to a place of faith if we have never been there ourselves. Hebrews 6:1-Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God.
10. PRAYER
It’s important to pray for our students, each other, our church, and this ministry. Proverbs 2:3-6- If you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
11. LIVING INVITATIONALLY
If we don’t ask… will never have a response. We need to be asking our students to take the next step in their spiritual journey, and we need to be asking other adults to come along side us and serve on this great leadership team. Matthew 28:19- Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
-Jake Goetze
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PDYM RESOURCES
Help! I'm a Volunteer Youth Worker
If you're a youth worker looking for new ways to encourage and empower your volunteers, just hand them a copy of Help! I'm a Volunteer Youth Worker! And don't forget to consult the book yourself. You're guaranteed to find great ideas for youth work that maybe you – yes, even you – hadn't thought of.
[click here for more info]
T-Minus
Give your students a big reminder that the lesson is starting in three minutes (and counting!) with some cool, animated countdowns. These hip movies tell the whole group to start wrapping up their chit-chat and hit the bathroom one more time without you and your volunteers running around after them. Give ‘em a three-minute head start, then jump into your program.
[click here for more info]