I had the opportunity to lead a breakout session at the recent DYM 1st Few Years Conference. My goal was to discuss how we can drive the results we envision, pray for, and work to make them a reality. These are some thoughts I’ve been reflecting on as I step into a new role, focusing on what I’m currently trying to implement.
Are these all the things you can do or think through? No.
But they provide a solid start and a helpful check to see if you’re on the right path.
1. Lead with Vision, Not Just Tasks
Vision is the fuel for ministry. If your volunteers, students, and leaders don’t see where you’re going, they’ll be more likely to burn out or lose focus. It’s important to communicate a compelling vision that aligns with God’s purpose for your ministry and stays at the forefront of all activities.
- Practical Tips:
- Regularly communicate your vision to your team and students.
- Make every decision by asking, “Does this align with our vision?”
- Set clear goals that reflect this vision in outreach, discipleship, and leadership development.
- Scripture: “Where there is no vision, the people perish; but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” — Proverbs 29:18 (KJV)
Challenge: What is the vision for your youth ministry, and how are you communicating it clearly to your team and students?
2. Build and Empower Your Volunteer Team
Your ministry can’t thrive if you’re the only one doing the work. Building a strong volunteer team that feels equipped, valued, and clear on their roles is key to driving lasting impact. Invest time in developing them, and empower them to lead.
- Practical Tips:
- Clarify expectations and roles for every volunteer.
- Offer regular training and development opportunities.
- Create a culture of gratitude and recognition.
- Empower volunteers by trusting them with meaningful tasks and leadership roles.
- Scripture: “So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.” — Ephesians 4:11-12 (NIV)
Challenge: How are you equipping your volunteers for success, and how can you empower them to take on more leadership?
3. Measure What Matters—It’s Not Just About Numbers
Metrics are important, but they need to reflect the right things. Attendance is one thing, but consider measuring spiritual growth, volunteer engagement, and the culture of invitation within your ministry. Numbers are a tool, not the mission.
- Practical Tips:
- Track attendance, but also track how students are engaging in small groups, serving, or inviting friends.
- Use regular check-ins and surveys to gauge how volunteers and students feel about the ministry.
- Set realistic, faith-driven goals and evaluate them monthly with your team.
- Scripture: “By their fruit you will recognize them…” — Matthew 7:16a (NIV)
Challenge: What metrics in your ministry actually indicate spiritual health and growth? Are you measuring those as well as the numbers?
4. Create a Culture of Invitation and Engagement
The health of your ministry is reflected in how your students engage with others and how much they invite friends. Students who are personally invested will be more likely to invite others and share their faith. Your role is to model and inspire that culture.
- Practical Tips:
- Teach your students how to invite friends and give them tools to do so.
- Be present on local school campuses—show up where students are.
- Make evangelism and outreach an ongoing conversation in your ministry.
- Scripture: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…” — Matthew 28:19 (ESV)
Challenge: How are you intentionally creating an invitational culture, and how often are you on school campuses to connect with students?
5. Lead from Overflow—Your Spiritual Health Matters
You can’t lead others well if your own soul is running on empty. A healthy ministry starts with a spiritually healthy leader. Guard your time with God, stay grounded in prayer, and make space for personal spiritual growth.
- Practical Tips:
- Schedule regular time for personal devotions, reflection, and rest.
- Seek accountability from mentors and other pastors to avoid burnout.
- Share your spiritual journey with your team—it builds authenticity and trust.
- Scripture: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” — John 15:5 (NIV)
Challenge: Are you leading from a place of spiritual overflow, or are you running on empty? What steps do you need to take to ensure your spiritual health is a priority?
6. Foster a Culture of Candor and Feedback
A healthy ministry grows when there’s openness to feedback and an honest evaluation of what’s working and what’s not. Encouraging honest conversations with your team and students will create a culture of trust and improvement. Candor allows you to address issues before they become bigger problems and helps you lead with integrity.
- Practical Tips:
- Regularly ask your volunteers and students for feedback, and be open to what they have to say.
- Create safe spaces for volunteers to voice concerns or suggest ideas.
- When giving feedback, focus on being constructive and encouraging.
- Model candor by being transparent about your own challenges and areas for growth.
- Scripture: “Speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.” — Ephesians 4:15 (NLT)
Challenge: Are you fostering an environment where your team and students feel safe to give and receive feedback? How are you modeling candor in your leadership?
7. Develop Future Leaders, Not Just Followers
One of your greatest callings as a youth pastor is to identify and develop the next generation of leaders. Instead of just building a following, aim to equip students and volunteers to step into leadership roles. When your ministry is driven by multiplying leaders, the impact can outlast your time there.
- Practical Tips:
- Identify students and volunteers who show leadership potential and invest in them personally.
- Create opportunities for others to lead—whether through small group leadership, event planning, or ministry teams.
- Encourage them to take ownership of certain aspects of the ministry and make decisions.
- Develop a leadership pipeline that continuously equips and mentors new leaders.
- Scripture: “And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.” — 2 Timothy 2:2 (ESV)
Challenge: Who are the future leaders in your ministry, and what steps are you taking to develop them? How can you start building a culture of leadership multiplication?
Driving results in ministry is not just about growing in numbers but about cultivating depth—depth in leadership, depth in relationships, and depth in spiritual growth. As you lead, remember that your impact goes beyond what you can measure. Trust God to move in ways you can’t always see, and continue to lead with purpose, clarity, and a heart for Jesus.
@justinknowles3