We say this, but deep down we feel as though we can.  The result is we end up running around crazy trying to get it all done and nothing really gets done with excellence.  You are preparing your message, making the slides (if you use them), planning the game, gathering supplies needed for the game, setting out chairs and setting up the room, contacting students, contacting parents (hopefully), planning the next lock-in (don’t do it! They’re of the devil), welcoming students as they arrive, leading worship for the students, teaching the students, talking with students as they leave, putting the chairs away, cleaning up the mess from the game you planned, trying at some point to sleep (not during worship hopefully), and on and on and on.  Can I just say, even reading that it is obvious how ridiculous that is.  You need help to get it all done.  Please recognize this and the need for a team to help you.  What are the things you are doing that someone on your team could help you do?

We often live in fantasy land when it comes to this.  “God called me to the be Youth Pastor, therefore I can do it all.”  While we would probably never utter those words aloud, we minister as if it is true.  The fact is, regardless of your church size, there are people God has placed there that are much better (and probably enjoy the things you hate doing) at some things than you are.  If you are not organized, there is someone who loves to organize.  If you hate doing newsletters, there is someone who would love to help you with your newsletters.  If you are not creative, there is someone who is.  If you hate going without coffee, there is someone who would love to buy you coffee…ok, maybe not.  The point is this, if you want your ministry to be as effective as it can be you need people doing the things you are not as good at.  You cannot be good at everything.  Please recognize this and the need for a team who collectively can be.  What are the things you are not as good at that someone on your team could help you do?

More adults investing in the lives of our students always equals a win. Whether your Youth Ministry has 10 students or 1,000 students there is a need for a team of adults who are pouring into your teens.  Much has been made over the last several years of the number of students who are “graduating from God.”  The percentages vary from survey to survey as do the reasons cited for the students leaving.  At a conference I attended this topic naturally came up.  One presenter shared reasons that have been identified to help ensure students stay (a novel idea right?).  One of those reasons was having a team of adults investing in the student’s life.  In fact, he shared that if a teen has seven adults investing in their life, there is almost a 100% chance that student will not leave their faith when they graduate.  Those are tremendous odds.  Even if you dispute that, more godly adults investing in more of your students is not only biblical, it is wise.  You simply cannot connect with every student.  Please recognize this and the need for a team who can aid in this.  What are ways that you can ensure there are many godly adults investing in the lives of your students?

This may be the most important reason for the need for a team and one we will definitely cover in a future post.  Whether you want to or not, you are partnering with parents.  Both you and the parent are investing in the life of each student in your ministry, thus making it a partnership.  Building a team around you provides in routes for parents to be a larger part of your ministry.  You need the parents of the teens in your ministry to know they are not only welcome around your ministry, but wanted.  Parents who are a part of your ministry will be much more supportive of your ministry.  They can be your greatest asset when it comes to recruiting new team members as well as building trust with other parents.  You desperately need parents in your ministry.  Please, please, please recognize this and the need for a team of parents you can come along side of.  What are ways you can involve the parents of your teens in your ministry?

There are many other reasons and benefits I could give arguing the need for a team around you.  If you are really serious about making an impact, having an influence, and making it for the long haul in your ministry you need a team.  Without a team around you the effectiveness of your ministry will be severely limited.