In this Youth Leader's Coach, "Building Something That Will Last," we discuss what it takes to build a ministry that not only leaves an imprint on the hearts and lives of students, but lasts long after you've left.

How do you do it? For the most part, it boils down to intentional decision-making in a number of key areas in your ministry and personal life. While some of the choices can seem difficult in the moment, they are the very things that will catapult you and your ministry into the future. So join me for a cup of coffee and let's chat on what it takes to build something that lasts. My heart's desire is for you to be in the youth ministry trench beside me for years to come.

Still building,

The average senior pastor in the ‘70s had a tenure in full-time ministry of 30 years. Now the lifespan of the average senior pastor in full-time ministry is CUT IN HALF...to only 15 years! The million dollar question though is, why? I think that much of the answer rests in the "emotional roller coaster" of ministry's constantly changing high's and low's.

In this month's Youth Leader's Coach, "Riding the Emotional Roller Coaster Called Ministry," I'm talking leader to leader about the emotional journey that ministry sometimes takes us on. So grab a cup of coffee and a journal as we navigate our efforts as leaders to stay in the game wholeheartedly through the ups and downs.

Hanging On For The Ride,

Over and over again I have leaders ask me, "How do I stay spiritually fresh while doing youth ministry?" Truth of the matter is that ministry will always demand our energy, but it is our responsibility to fight to keep ourselves refreshed. That's much easier said than done, which is why this resource is so vital for all of us.

In this month's Youth Leader's Coach, "Fighting For Your Own Spiritual Freshness While Doing Youth Ministry," I give you ten ideas that will be helpful to you in revitalizing your spiritual walk.

Lovingly,

Contrary to what many people think, it is not your talent or your intelligence that is really the major predictor of how much happiness or success you're going to have in your life, your family, your vocation, or your ministry. A far more accurate predictor of those factors is your GRIT. And best news is that grit isn't something you are just "born with"...but it is something you can cultivate!

In this Youth Leader's Coach, I share pragmatics from the book, Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth. We'll take a look at what "grit" is. I'll also share four psychological assets that, if you choose to grow them over time, will help you grow your GRIT. As novelist John Irving says, "To do anything really well, you have to OVEREXTEND YOURSELF."

Committed to growing my GRIT,

This Youth Leader’s Coach is a leadership pep talk that I often give to myself. It's this kind of self-talk that has kept me in the game for over four decades. Henry Thoreau said, "If a man does not keep pace with his companions, maybe it is because he marches to the beat of a different drummer." And through the run when challenges came, I learned that no man is ever down for the count…until he quits in his own mind. So, I just get back up and keep drumming!

I hope these simple pragmatics will help you if you ever feel like you're discouraged or want to give up. And don't forget, you can never let God down. Do you know why? Because you were never holding Him up in the first place! If you don't need this encouragement now...you will. So, listen to this Youth Leader's Coach so you are prepared to just KEEP DRUMMING. If you do that my friend, I promise that heaven and I will be clapping for you.

Lovingly,