Being part of a church staff has many challenges. Some staff members work together and have fun while serving, while others fight over the few resources the church has. I want to challenge you to think about how you can shape the culture of your church by how you serve the other staff members. Church culture is shaped by the leaders and often that is the church staff. So how you operate on the staff can influence how the church operates. Think through these ideas:
1. Give respect, don’t demand it
Often times when we serve with others we want them to respect us. Being the youth worker we are often placed in a secondary position and made to feel like we don’t matter. We can push back on this and demand that we are respected as pastors in the church. This push back will never go well and will cause lots of bitterness on your part and on the part of others. Instead give respect away, in fact focus on how you can make others feel important. Drop all concern for yourself. This will free you from bitterness and bring joy to your life. My guess is people will respect you for it.
2. Encourage the senior pastor (or other staff members)
Encourage the pastor by writing notes about how students are impacted by his/her ministry. Do special acts of service for them. Build them up in front of students, volunteers and parents. Invite them over for social interaction. Help them with technology. Do whatever you can to show them they are important to you.
3. Integrate
Too often the youth ministry is separated from the rest of the church. Do you ever use the terms “big church, little church”? Get more involved with the church and all its activities. Ask to bring students to the old peoples’ pot luck (great food usually). Create service days around church needs. Take one month and integrate your small group programs with the church’s small group program (I know, crazy to think about). Have a family ministry perspective. Intergration could change your church.
