Paige Wilson

1: Don’t lose Sight!! Don’t lose sight of what you are working toward!! - You are always working toward Jesus! - Have a Purpose Statement, and live it out! “My goal in youth ministry is to expose teenagers to Jesus, offer an environment that they can come together, experience his presence, and equip them by God’s word to serve others.”

2: Choose the Right Sources -Spending time with God is non- negotiable!! -Spend time with him regularly in reading his word, prayer, and worship -Scripture Tells us the 2 Ultimate Purposes of Ministry 1.The Great Commandment Matthew The Great Commission Matthew

3. Provide a Model for Ministry -Jesus Modeled correct ministry leadership -Model the ministry that you want your leaders and students to follow -Exhibit Christ’s character -Give them something to work towards -Equip your leaders so that they may equip others

5: Have a Welcoming Environment -Greeters are a great way to welcome new students -Discourage cliques -Mix up groups -Accept all types of people, even if they lack sweet shades!

6: Have Fun!! -Teens will be teens! -Youth Ministry is a place to have friend. Nobody wants to keep going somewhere that is no fun!

7: Safety First!! -You have precious Cargo in your midst!! Do everything you can to keep them safe! -Equip leaders and volunteers to react in an Emergency Situation. -The Law is a Mandatory Safety Precaution! -There is a way to have fun and be safe at the same time!!

8: Be Authentic and Transparent with your Students! -Teens can call out a fake faster than you would believe. Be real with them, it’s what they want and need. -Allow yourself to be open when appropriate. Use discernment on how much of what topic your teen needs to hear. -Students want to know that you see them and care about them.

9: Family Support -Family Ministry is important in your student’s spiritual growth! -1/3 of your time should be spent working with parental ministry. This includes communication, prayer, etc. -You will have twice as much affect in your student’s life if you are involved with their family as well!

10: Build Relationships -Do you want to be effective in ministry? Then Build relationships and keep investing in them!! -This is not limited to just students but with parents and other volunteers as well!! -Encourage relational building amongst others in your youth ministry. Build that community!!

11: Be Culturally Conscious -Culture is always changing, and youth are immersed in it. -Be aware of what is going on, so that you may better understand your youth! -Don’t feel the need to go out and buy the hottest new pair of shades!! No need to dress to impress in this crowd!!

11: Service Oriented -We want the students to live out what Jesus is saying. -Service is a way to actively live out our faith. -The book of James tells us faith without works is dead!

13: Understanding Adolescent Development -Self Conscious about many thinks. -Poor judgment -Hormones are going crazy. -Learning new lessons about friendships and peer groups. -Like adults! -Need someone to accept them and cheer them on!

14: Students Make Great Leaders -Give your teens a chance to lead as they move from the earlier adolescent stages into more mature ones. -Clearly communicate expectations and have students and volunteers sign a covenant or contract! -Equip your students to equip others, Just like Jesus did!

15: Mom’s are Cooler than you think! -Parents make great volunteers!! -They live in a teenage world so they get teenagers! -Parents get to be viewed in a different light when they work with the youth ministry. It has the potential of improving family dynamics! -You get to build connections with family!!

16: Invest in Your Volunteers -Spend 1/3 of your time investing in your volunteers!! - You are only as good as your leaders! -Have volunteers sign a covenant. -Adolescents get along better with two generations above where they are at!