ALEX | Dream Higher!

I love my volunteers because without them the ministry would  be a small group of kids/students running around in chaos.  Our volunteers give so much up to make the ministry happen.  They are the life force to the ministry itself and as we recruit them we need to be clear on what to expect.  Sure we have a mission and vision and probably a job description for the role they are taking.  But do we list out some of our expectations for those leaders.  Do they know what we value, do they understand that you expect them to come early or stay after to help? Do they know you care about the community as a whole and you are asking them not just to be a small group leader but part of the whole community? Do they understand they are responsible for the safety of not just their students but all students in the ministry? Early on in ministry, I would have said absolutely those questions are implied by signing up to be a youth counselor.  I'm sure they understood when they were recruited or a

To the moon... One of the things I love about the first man on the moon was that what they did was seemingly impossible for the time. A vision was caste and everyone got behind that vision that's why the impossible was made possible.  Often times I think we fall short in ministry because we forget to caste vision.  We get stuck on our day to day stuff that we forget the bigger picture at hand.  But I am really a proponent of vision first.  What do you dream of ... Then ask the bigger question What's God's dream? I promise you God's dream is much larger than your own. Vision casting should not be done alone that's like trying to fly a craft propelled by giant rockets traveling at unparalleled speeds by yourself, yeah you get the point it's insane.  Vision casting should be done with your team.  I encourage you to find a time with your adult and student leaders to sit down for a few hours. I know you don't have a few hours, but this is important and will

It's a new year and I love thinking about all the possibilities for my life, my family, and the ministry.   You may be thinking...Hmmm it's January why am I thinking about planning now!?!  For me this is a great time because I have just seen how the first part of the year has gone, how the students are responding, and have a good feel on the flow of things.  I will probably make a few changes for the upcoming calendar, but thinking about next year's lessons right now helps get the creative juices flowing.  If I begin designing the calendar in the summer, when attendance drops at least in my area, then I can't get feedback from my students and my leaders are harder to get a hold of.  Everyone is on vacation and so those regular gatherings don't happen as much.  Many ministries give their volunteers a month or two off and by the time you regroup then you only have a month before you kick off the new year.   Beginning now may seem ridiculous, but honestly I f