In a network as wide and diverse as PYN, we’re all in different stages of navigating back to “normal” in our youth groups and as leaders. However one thing many of us may have in common is a sense of tiredness or weariness. It’s not uncommon to hear a pastor say “I feel like I’m working even hard than before”.
Maybe you’ve had to take on additional tasks in your church, you’ve had some leaders step away, you’ve got people that aren’t ready to return or you’re trying to learn new methods and means of youth ministry. Whatever the case is, you’re feeling the weight of it.
Sometimes as leaders we can have a tendency to try to just “push through”. We ignore the mental or spiritual alarms going off in us and tell ourselves “I can handle this” or maybe you’re holding on to the idea of things soon returning to “normal”
As hard as it may be to believe, we’re almost a full year into Covid and the impact its had on the church.
In fitness, the heavier the weight you lift the fewer reps you should do because heavy weight for an extended period of time can cause injury. Many of us have been carrying too much weight for almost a year now and my fear is that in the not so distant future we’ll start to see the damage it can cause.
Today I want to share 3 simple ways to help alleviate the burden you may be feeling. This isn’t ground breaking or a revelation from a mountain top experience with God. You’ve likely heard them before but now is as good a time as any to either add these tools to your belt or sharpen them if you’ve already got them.
1) Delegate – Delegation is something we all think we do great at but in reality we could afford to improve. Often it feels like we’re a parent teaching a student to drive. When the student starts to swerve we have a knee jerk reaction to want to grab the wheel and steer it back on course. One of the things that’s happened during this season is the world has caused the car to swerve, and we’ve taken over the wheel and have yet to let go.
Craig Groeschel encourages to not delegate tasks to your leaders but to delegate authority. In Luke 10 we see Jesus delegating his authority to the disciples and sending them out. The collective of the disciples were able to accomplish more than what Jesus himself was able to do at one time.
Even if you only have a small number of leaders on your team, what areas can you give them authority over? Delegation was Jesus’ model of discipleship, learning by doing. When we delegate well, we’re not only lifting some of the workload off of ourselves but we’re also living out Eph 4:12 and equipping our leaders.
2) Create a high feedback culture – Consistent and open dialogue is key to delegating well. A true high feedback culture has to be a 2 way street. As leaders we can’t want the ability to speak openly and honestly to our teams but not give them the same permission in return. Most people by nature feel uncomfortable having open conversations with someone in leadership so as the leader you may have to intentionally seek it out.
High feedbacks cultures eliminate the whispering side conversations. It eliminates gossip. It empowers.
I have a policy with my leaders: “If you ever take issue with something I say or do, you have my full permission to come to my office, close the door and say whatever it is that you need to say. Once the door opens though, we’re going to be unified.”
If I want my leaders to value my voice, I need to value theirs.
To be clear, a high feedback isn’t just about navigating difficult conversations. A high feedback culture is:
– Clear Expectations
– Constructive Feedback
– Consistent Affirmation
– 2 Way Communication
3) Group Think – One you’ve started to delegate and implemented a high feedback culture, the next step in showing your leaders that you value them is to give them a voice.
Even the most creative leader among us has a limited capacity of ideas. You may frequently feel the pressure to be more innovative but the reality is there’s untapped innovation in the readers around you.
For events, series, the direction of your group, etc., how much of it do your leaders have a say in? Invite them into those conversations.
One of my favorite things to do is get a room full of leaders and just start spewing out ideas. No ego, no individualism, one team. The best idea wins no matter who it comes from. The more that we grab and implement ideas that come from our leaders, the more they’ll speak up and feel freedom to dream more. You don’t have to decide everything alone.
When’s the last time you said “no” to one of your own ideas to say “yes” to an idea from someone else?
For the leader feeling the weight of the last year today, let the leaders around you help you. Even Moses needed help keeping his arms raised for a time. Your leaders could be doing anything else with their time but they choose to serve along side of you. How incredible is that! Let them in a little more!
“Let us not become weary id doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9
Chris Davis
Youth Pastor//Eastern Assembly of God