A Volunteer Youth Worker's Guide to Leading a Small Group is perfect for anyone feeling disenchanted with the concept of small groups, and after Marko succeeds in changing your mind in the first few pages, he'll use the rest of the book to help you restructure and rethink your small-group programming so you don't get burned out again.
The goal of youth ministry is “real” transformation. But “polite” youth ministry—when teenagers show up, say nice things to each other, yet never get real with one another—is not how transformational discipleship happens. Authors Tighe and Thomas believe leading young people into an intimate, abiding relationship with Jesus is the most important investment small-group leaders can make in life. And they truly believe that anyone who cares for teenagers can do it! Real ministry happens when volunteers/small-group leaders are equipped and empowered to reach and develop relationships that make a difference in the lives of the teenagers. But so many don’t feel like they really know how. Small-Group Leader’s Quick Guide to (Almost) Everything gives your volunteers the practical training they need in the bite-size format they’ll appreciate. This book is like a satisfying “protein bar” for youth ministry volunteers. It’s made for busy people who want to make a big difference in the lives of teenagers. Here’s some of what you’ll find packed into this quick guide: • Why relationships are EVERYTHING in youth ministry, and how to pour fuel on that fire • How to “decode” teenagers’ behavior in the moment and respond in a meaningful way • Why experiencing a relationship with Jesus matters more than just knowing facts • How to help hurting teenagers • How to set healthy boundaries for you and the teenagers • And so much more! If you’re a volunteer youth worker who cares for teenagers, you don’t have to be “cool” or wear skinny jeans or have a theological degree. You just need to have a desire to be present in the lives of students and feel equipped to respond. This book helps you do that...
Insights, tips, and suggestions for small group of leaders. When put into play, these bite-sized, consumable pieces of wisdom help leaders "knock it out of the park" and set them up to win.
Thank you for making the decision to be a volunteer youth worker—you give the gospel a flesh and blood presence and show God’s compassion for students in a way no one else does. Being a youth worker can be exciting, intimidating, fulfilling and challenging, and until now there was no “manual” on how to be a volunteer in a youth ministry. After more than twenty years as a paid youth worker, Jim Hancock left and became a volunteer in a student ministry. That experience taught him things he may never have learned as a youth ministry professional, and now he wants to empower others who are passionate about being volunteer youth workers. Inside this book you’ll find practical help, like: • tips about what to do on the first day • ideas on how to build and develop relationships with students • ways to combat youth “culture shock” • how to prepare students for life after youth group • how to say goodbye when it is time to leave …and many more indispensable insights that will make your experience as a volunteer youth worker valuable and rewarding for you and your students.
"You know that the key to a strong youth group is your volunteer team. And the key to a strong team of volunteers is a common vision and passion for both teenagers and the ministry. Unfortunately, you probably also know what a struggle it can be to get that vision out of your own head and into the hearts of your volunteer team. Too often, we youth pastors schedule regular meetings with our adult volunteers and small group leaders with good intentions, but these meetings often degenerate into a string of announcements about upcoming events and leave out the things that lead to deeper ministry.This unique, research-based training resource addresses the needs of you and your volunteer leaders and includes the voices of influential youth ministry veterans. Designed to focus on a key monthly issue over nine months, Essential Leadership provides you with insight and tools to make ministry team meetings work, and to engage all your leaders in discussion that will take both the ministry and the students deeper by exploring:Ò Your ministryÆs strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threatsÒ Integrating students into the life of the churchÒ Effective family ministryÒ Holistic ministryÒ Giving and receiving mentoringÒ Getting the rest you needÒ Deep justiceÒ Helping kids who are hurtingÒ Giving your kids a faith that lastsUsing this leaderÆs guide along with the companion participantÆs guide will strengthen your youth ministry leadership team so that together you can make a deeper impact on the lives of teenagers."
"You know that the key to a strong youth group is your volunteer team. And the key to a strong team of volunteers is a common vision and passion for both teenagers and the ministry. Unfortunately, you probably also know what a struggle it can be to get that vision out of your own head and into the hearts of your volunteer team. Too often, we youth pastors schedule regular meetings with our adult volunteers and small group leaders with good intentions, but these meetings often degenerate into a string of announcements about upcoming events and leave out the things that lead to deeper ministry.This unique, research-based training resource addresses the needs of you and your volunteer leaders and includes the voices of influential youth ministry veterans. Designed to focus on a key monthly issue over nine months, Essential Leadership provides you with insight and tools to make ministry team meetings work, and to engage all your leaders in discussion that will take both the ministry and the students deeper by exploring:Ò Your ministryÆs strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threatsÒ Integrating students into the life of the churchÒ Effective family ministryÒ Holistic ministryÒ Giving and receiving mentoringÒ Getting the rest you needÒ Deep justiceÒ Helping kids who are hurtingÒ Giving your kids a faith that lastsUsing this leaderÆs guide along with the companion participantÆs guide will strengthen your youth ministry leadership team so that together you can make a deeper impact on the lives of teenagers."
A youth ministry needs a solid group of volunteers to be truly effective. We youth workers all know this—but how do we make it happen? Let’s be honest: Many of us don’t do a great job of mobilizing volunteers and equipping them for ministry. Our plate is already full, and building a great team sounds like yet another task to add to the list. But what if your efforts to mobilize and equip volunteers actually lightened your schedule? What if this investment of time actually paid back double, quadruple, or even tenfold? The Skinny on Volunteers will help you concentrate on three simple skills that will help you build a crew of effective leaders: recruiting, keeping, and training volunteers. Yes, volunteers take time. But you’ll discover the rewards of investing in a team of people who will love teenagers, connect with them, and disciple them.
Congratulations! You've agreed to serve as a volunteer-perhaps the most underrated, underappreciated, misunderstood role in youth ministry! But your role is also one of the most essential. Seriously-the healthiest, most effective youth ministries are built on a solid foundation of dedicated, talented, committed volunteers. The Volunteer's Field Guide to Youth Ministry will help you chart a course of growth as a follower of Christ and as a leader in your congregation. You can read it from front to back, or you can treat it like a reference tool-scan for topics that are relevant today, and save the rest for later. Chapter topics include: Discovering your unique personality and the way God has wired you Preparing for the adventure of youth ministry volunteer work Understanding the teenagers you work with Supporting parents as they raise their teenagers Working with other volunteers on your team Following leaders in your ministry and congregation You have a family. You have a full-time job. You have other commitments and responsibilities. Yet you understand the rewards and blessings of serving as a youth ministry volunteer. The Volunteer's Field Guide to Youth Ministry will become one of your favorite tools as you serve teenagers and help lead them toward a Jesus-centered life.
So you're leading a small group? Your small group can accomplish big things in the lives of your teenagers. And in Help! I'm a Small-Group Leader! you'll find methods and approaches you can use. Foibles and minefields to avoid. Solutions and tips that will help you nurture your small group into a growing community, whatever you goals. Inside you'll discover -- How to put small groups together - How NOT to lead a small group - How to start a discussion -- and KEEP IT GOING - How to ASK QUESTIONS that get responses - Three kinds of BIBLE STUDY questions to ask - How to work with DIFFERENT personalities in a small group - How to help you kids LEARN TO PRAY - 10 ideas for BUILDING COMMUNITY in your small group . . . and to top it off are 20 pages of questions (100 questions, to be exact) that you can use in your small group Bible study, on the most common subjects discussed in junior and senior high small groups. All this in a no-frills, straight-to-the-point style -- perfect for volunteer small-group leaders, or for youth pastors or youth directors to lead their staffs through.
