Leading Youth Teams

1. Don't forget the main purpose: The Gospel should always be at the center of you leader. What does that mean? Well remember that you are not "better" than them nor are they "better" than you. You both need to understand that there's a bigger reality than just planning for ____ event or doing _____. Don't forget that both of you are sinners saved by grace and working towards exposing the light of the Gospel to a lost and dying world as well as equipping the saints. The moment you forget this, it becomes about planning an event. People become statistics. 

2. Be a cheer leading coach: We tend to gravitate to manager-in-charge when it comes to leading a team. Your role, leaders, is mainly to equip the saints...not to take over. Realize that they have ideas too and some times they haven't thought out everything there is (same as you). So if you're part of a group then take the "hey, let me show you how to do this a little better" or "that's a good idea...but have you thought of this?" People will listen and respect the coach because they know they care about them (explicitly and implicitly). In the end, you're put in these groups to encourage the youth...to be their supporter. Listen to them and allow them to make decisions as well. One thing i'm always guilty of is looking back at an event and every part of the event has my changes to it. But keep a healthy balance when you're a part of leading a youth group. Get everyone involved. 

3. Admit your mistakes: When, not if, you make a mistake, lose your temper, act outside the bounds of a mature believer, then go and admit your fault to them individually as well as to the group. You're not perfect and nobody expects you to be. Jesus is and that's why this life is about him...not you. Your team is going to need you to own up to it too. It presents a solid Gospel. 

4. Replicating: God has wired you with your gifts and personality. God has placed you here to serve and to minister. This isn't "just something you do." You forget the eternal weight of what we're caught up in. But in the meantime, you should be replicating yourself. Find students or adults that you can train to carry on what you're currently doing. Share with them the insights that you have gained while working and serving. Tell them what to watch out for and what you've messed up on that they need to be careful. You should always be grooming someone to be right there next to you and eventually take your place...and hopefully they can do a better job. 

i share these things with you because i'm totally for your own growth. This is going to be challenging for some of yall just because it's not going to allow you to stay where you're at. Some of yall are going to have to let go of some control while others have to take control. Hopefully, this helps you to become a stronger leader that sees the Gospel as primary, equips the saints as secondary, and experiences the joy that comes from both.