Welcome, my friends, to a powerful topic for this Youth Leader's Coach, "Creating True Character In Your Students And In Yourself." So often we hear character preached at us as being the "big deal" in our lives and ministries, but not very often are we told how to practically help our students increase in their own character and even more importantly how to grow personally in character. So grab a cup of coffee and let me hit on this for you with 10 simple yet profoundly ignored principles in growing and teaching true character.

Lovingly,

If I could do just one single thing for youth pastors today, I would try to fan their spiritual passion.

In my journey, I have found that there is really very little correlation between spiritual success and ministry success. Too often, talent becomes a remarkable substitute for character and spiritual passion. In ministry it is too easy to know "things" and not know "God." With ease, we can bluff our way through and, unfortunately, more than likely nobody will catch us.

I am determined not to be a "poser." In this Youth Leader's Coach, I will give you tips I've learned along the way that might prevent you from becoming one as well.

Lovingly,

What's a crucible? It's that place where you get crushed and everything inside comes spilling out. It's usually characterized by mounds of pressure, sometimes heat, and a whole lot of adversity. According to Warren Bennis in Geeks and Geezers, "The ability to find meaning and strength during these times of adversity is what distinguishes leaders from non-leaders more than any one single quality."

In these instances, it's as if you are handed a pen and given the opportunity to write the end of the story...your story. Whether the stormy times render you powerless or give you fresh resolve is a matter of choice.

In this Youth Leader's Coach, may my 39 years in ministry help you assign purpose to your pain and not just survive the crucibles, but thrive in them.

Turning wounds into wisdom,

Jesus has a COURSE for all His kids. It's not an "elective," but rather a "required course for graduation." The ULTIMATE AIM remains the same though the "curriculum" is different for all of us. The ULTIMATE GOAL of this "required course" is to cultivate your DEPENDENCE upon the Lord rather than on anything or anyone else. Any other "source" is painfully UNSAFE.

In this month's Source, "When The Brook Dries Up," we watch how Elijah walked through his own times when God dried up provision around him. This resource is a great message to challenge your students to put their trust in the CHARACTER of God more than just what He does for us.

Happy listening!

You'll love this Source! Using the example of Desmond Doss, the first conscientious objector to earn a medal of honor for bravery during World War II portrayed in the incredible movie, Hacksaw Ridge, I challenge our students to go through the roof! To live a WIT (Whatever It Takes) life of heroism and selflessness.

With some key Scriptures and a few clips from the movie, I remind our students that "Heroes are often ordinary people that simply chose to put their dreams above their fears." What a REAL and SOBERING description of what ministry can feel like for all of us sometimes...a constant battle to get JUST ONE MORE, right after we've gotten one to safety. Yet, for Desmond Doss, as with each one of you, he was remembered for his life's sacrifice of selflessness as he looked past the pain and saved, JUST...ONE...MORE.

Saving just one more, right alongside you,