This last weekend our Family Ministries Team put on a big fall training for all of our leaders serving in our ministries from birth to high school. It was so fun to have hundreds of our volunteers together in one room, celebrating, worshipping, praying together for our kids who are in our care. The best part was that we had so many students there as leaders serving in the children’s ministry.

This day of training was to accomplish a few things:

  1. We never have gotten all of our people together. We wanted to show people they are a part of something big and fun.
  2. We wanted to show a united front. This is really the first time the babies, children and student ministry are all on the same page going into the fall.
  3. We wanted to train our leaders on how to lead effective small groups and cast vision for this new season of ministry.

So we spent a day, 9am-noon together, half with everyone and then we broke out into our individual ministries for specific training.

Side note: We talk a little bit about our training and share a little of our material on my podcast coming out this week. Go subscribe on where ever you listen to podcasts (we are on iTunes and Google Play) right now so you don’t miss out: The Other Student Ministry Podcast

I actually am shocked when I hear that student pastors don’t provide training for their people. I personally think that as the leader, it is our responsibility to make sure our leaders know what a “win” is for your ministry and how they can achieve that “win”. I’m shocked how many leaders just throw their new leaders into the deep end to learn how to swim in this thing called student ministry.

I think it is irresponsible.

So for those who do not do any training, let me share with you why this is so crucial for your ministry:

Your leaders will thank you – “My leaders would never come for a few hours for this.” Lies. Believe it or not, your leaders want to know how they can be more effective. If they have signed up to serve in student ministry, they are already nuts, they want to be good at it. Every single time leaders walk away thanking us because they learned something new to make them better. They will know what a “win” is and how to achieve it.

Your ministry will literally be better – If your leaders are better your ministry will be better. What ever you decide to train them in, they will walk away better leaders. So if that’s small groups, follow-up, getting on campus, whatever, you will see your ministry grow in some way because your leaders will know what they should be doing and they will execute the type of culture you want to see.

There are so many great tools to make it easy – We did a huge one day fall training, but we also provide all year training in our ministry. There are so many great tools. One of the best that we use is DYM University. One of the best investments we made all year. As we on board new leaders, it’s required to complete Course 101 of DYMU. We want all leaders to know what we expect as leaders during service. All of our leaders are required to finish all 4 courses by a date that we set for them. Along with DYMU, there are so many other blogs and resources that make training easier and effective.

It makes you look good to your higher-ups – It really does though. When you do a training, invite your bosses. Shoot, maybe even have them do a session. When you train, it shows all that you are taking this serious, you care deeply to make sure your ministry is successful in every way, and it doesn’t hurt you with your higher-ups. Our supervisor came and sit in and he was blown away and walked away earning some points.

It shows you care for your leaders success in your ministry – If your leaders are wondering at any point during their time in your ministry “What should I be doing right now?”… “Was I making a difference today?” … “”Did I do what I was supposed to do today at service?” then you are missing something as the leader of the ministry. Training will help focus and assure your leaders what success looks like in your ministry. It shows you care for your leaders, not only as people, but as leaders who want to do well.

It’s your responsibility – Pretty self-explanatory. It is.

So if you are leading a ministry, train your people. Make the time. Put it in the prep work. I promise you it will be worth it and your ministry will be better.

 

@justinknowles3