So it’s been a pretty crazy few weeks. If you did not know, I am starting a new position leading the student ministry team at Sandals Church in Riverside, CA. I am so pumped to join this great church and join the already amazing youth team. I won’t lie to you, I am a little anxious walking into this new role but so excited to see how God will work in this new position. I know that at any given time there is someone starting a new role so I thought I would share some things I have been processing:
Ask Questions – I have been meeting with some great people from my circle who have been leading for a long time and have been picking their brains about certain things regarding the new position. The last thing I ever want to do is assume I know what I’m doing at all times. We can all be learning something from someone and I have been asking leadership questions from some great leaders whom I know and love.
Ask More Questions – I have been meeting and hanging out with the pastor who I will be reporting to. He is a great leader with a great heart who cares for the ministry. We went to lunch and I got to ask him a ton of questions about the ministry, the good things and the things that need improvement. I asked about expectations, office hours, performance expectations, where do they want to see the ministry in 5 years? Question after question after question. I figure, the more I know coming in, the more I can prepare myself to make decisions and be effective right away.
Learn How To Ask Good Questions – Don’t just ask to ask. Be intentional with who you are asking and what are you asking. I want to see where volunteers are at so I ask them certain questions in certain ways. You want to see where students are at so you ask them certain questions. There is nothing better to help prepare for a new spot than asking the right questions. Learn how to do this and you will be walking in more confident.
Listen – Instead of thinking about the next question or meeting, actually listen. Staff, volunteers, and students want to feel like they are being heard. When we ask questions we allow them to voice what they are feeling. Wrong or right, how they are feeling is real. So lean into that, listen, and adjust when necessary. One of the best things a leader can do coming into a new spot is to be a great listener and slow to respond. Gather information, pray about it, discern and you will be able to take action when you need to when you come in being caught up on the ministry instead of coming in cold.
Boom! I know that I am excited and I know that I am processing a lot still but I know these things are really important to start doing as beginning any new position.
So many interesting ideas here,
Wish you would share more about what happened at your last job.
Why were you fired?
I will talk about it more in time. Want the dust to settle before we dive into it. I’m sure you can understand that. But there really is nothing more than what I posted on my social media. It was really transparent and basically everything why I was let go. Random, out of left field for me, but it happened. You can check it out on my instagram @justinknowles3
I read what you posted and I wasn’t really that transparent at all.
You gave no details, maybe in a make believe world, but in the real world that doesn’t cut it.
I think you owe the families that really trusted in you a real answer.
I have explained what has been told to me for why I was let go. I really have no more to say because I dont know what else to say. In my post, that’s what they told me as in “why”. So I am with you in the confusion and hurt (as time has been helpful to move forward). I still have much respect for them, still friends with many people, but that is something you will have to ask seek from the leadership of where I was at previously.