A simple definition – culture: the word culture has been defined as “the predominating attitudes that characterize the functioning of a group or organization. Every church has words, beliefs, customs and traditions which have been adopted by a group of people. Every church & community has a culture.

In my view one of the most important tasks to embark on, is to understand the culture of the church and community in which the church is located. So practically, how do we go about understanding culture? Primarily through observation and reflection. Ask questions like:

• What is the history of this church?
• Are there particular doctrines or ideas that are emphasized?
• Who are the leaders?
• What is the history of youth ministry at the church?

In short, don’t underestimate the impact of the past on the present. Spend the first six months to one year observing and reflecting on the culture of the church and wider community. Our ability to understand the church culture and wider community’s culture will have a large bearing on the types of programs that you will choose to implement as part of the youth ministry.

Mapping the landscape

The next important step in ‘finding your feet’ in a new youth-worker/pastor role, is to ‘map the landscape’. Mapping the landscape involves identifying the key people within the youth group and church.

1. Tribal leaders

There will be leaders within the youth group who are ‘key stake-holders’. They may have been a youth leader in the particular youth group for a number of years. For this reason, they might feel they have a degree of ownership in the youth group that other youth group leaders might not possess. Make sure you ask the ‘tribal leaders’ for their perspective on the youth group. Do not limit yourself to simply asking the pastor or vicar for their view.

Don’t alienate tribal leaders. Keep working with them even if there is initial disagreement. Listen to the tribal leaders.

2. Locals

Get to know the locals, in and out of the church. Get involved in the community, even if it means just joining a local sports club. Don’t give into the temptation to simply immerse yourself in the youth group.

3. Respect their customs

It is easy to spot what’s ‘wrong’ with a youth group, especially if you are new to the youth group/church. Keep your thoughts to yourself! Jesus said that servanthood is the essence of leadership. Servant leaders gain respect. Get involved in the programmes that already existed before you table your new ideas.

Managing expectations

Discouragement and disappointment often cause many youth leaders to throw in the towel. A cause of discouragement that we can easily overlook, concerns the unrealistic expectations we have of ourselves. Therefore it is important that we manage the expectations we have of ourselves.

To manage your own expectations, identify realistic goals.

Example goals for the first year:

• make no changes to the existing programmes
• identify tribal leaders, build relationships
• serve in all existing youth programmes
• have opinions, but don’t express them
• survey church and local community culture (reflection)
• develop a good schedule
• have a retreat with youth leaders or, if you have no youth leaders, have a retreat with potential youth leaders. If you have no potential youth leaders then identify young people in the group that you can begin mentoring on a weekly basis with the aim of developing them as potential youth leaders.

Example goals for the second year:

• identify three changes that you want to make to existing programmes. Meet each youth leader individually and gather feedback on your ideas. Modify changes/implement changes, depending on feedback received.
• identify 3 potential new youth leaders, mentor each of them on a weekly basis
• lead your own small group

Youth leaders’ expectations

Generally youth-leaders will have mixed feelings about a new youth minister/pastor. Those feelings may be largely tangled up with feelings towards your predecessor. Be careful not to compare yourself with your predecessor, work to your strengths.

What types of expectations might youth leaders have?

• You will make changes – which may or may not be a positive expectation. Their feelings depending on how they perceive the youth group to be currently working.
• You will make time – time to get to know them, build relationship
• You will get your hands dirty – get involved with the existing programmes
• You will listen – listen to their version of the story
• You will lead by example – be punctual, work hard and be energetic

Responding to their expectations – youth leaders and youth group

Overall, the expectations listed above don’t really amount to much – especially if you make sure that your focus on meeting these expectations.

When you initially begin a new role it is easy to get focused on making changes to the current programmes. Don’t make that your initial objective.Instead focus on journeying with the youth group through the transition period. Focusing on building relationships, trust and respect from your youth leaders and youth group are vital ingredients.

You may find that most youth leaders are not expecting you to make sweeping changes to the current programmes, and if they are, then it may be only in a negative sense. Building relationships and trust is important.

About the “How to” Series

This resource is part of a “how to” series that was designed to assist youth ministers in their ministry to young people. We have conducted interviews with experienced youth workers on a variety of subjects. These interviews can be found here. The interviews are short (each interview is less then 12mins in length), and practical. Each interview is accompanied by a written contribution. The written contributions are not long in length – they are easy to read and designed in such a way that busy youth ministers can quickly pick up important and useful tips on a range of practical topics. We hope you enjoy these resources.

Written contributors: Dion Fasi, Simon Greening, Ashleigh Stewart. Edited by Simon Greening.

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Some main barriers to ‘group prayer’ are:

Shyness: many people are very shy when it comes to praying out loud in front of others, regardless of whether they have an outgoing personality. They feel they are not ‘good at praying’, they are afraid they will say the wrong things, or that others will laugh at them. This can be due to inexperience, lack of self-esteem, or the need to keep up a certain image in front of the rest of the group. It may also be due to the fact that the group is not close relationally so they are not confident praying aloud in front of people they don’t know very well.

Introversion: rather than necessarily being shy, some people naturally process things internally and so they need a lot of time to think things through before they share it publicly (or they might never want to share it publicly). Therefore when it comes to group prayer they struggle to express out loud what they could easily pray privately.

Apathy: depending on the group, there may be individuals (or the whole group!) who don’t realise the importance/value of prayer. Because of this they might not enjoy these group prayer gatherings. There will also be times when even the most committed disciple just won’t feel like praying.

Tips to overcoming these barriers

Teach on the topic of prayer: this will help the young people see the importance, blessing, and power of prayer both personal and corporate. Preach or have discussions about why group prayer is important instead of just praying privately.

Instead of just announcing “we’re going to pray now”, begin by giving young people a vision for the prayer time: you could share a Scripture, or a testimony related to answered prayer, or get the group to imagine what could happen as a result of the prayer time.

Plan your group prayer time in advance: in the same way that you might plan a game or a bible study, plan your prayer time. You can always be flexible during the prayer time, but think of creative ways to pray together. Ask yourself questions like, is there a focus for this prayer gathering eg praying for each other, praying for families etc? Is there Scripture you want to read? Is there a structure for the prayer time?

Try and include and encourage each individual in the prayer time without being forceful: you might want to assign a prayer need to each person to pray (giving them an out if they really don’t want to), or encourage each person to pray for the person on their left

Remember that introverts often need more time to think through what to pray before they pray it out loud: don’t jump in with a prayer or call the prayer time to an end when you get to a quiet patch.

Model praying out loud as the leader: pray naturally, don’t use Christian jargon or old-fashioned phrases. Pray short prayers. This encourages people who are not use to praying in a group setting to pray short prayers.

Establish some rules for the prayer time if you need to: no one may laugh at or mock a person who is praying. Any needs that are shared amongst the group should be kept confidential. If someone does not want to pray in a group setting don’t make an issue of it in front of the group. Talk to them privately and encourage them to participate. If there is someone who dominates the group prayer time, talk to them privately so you can encourage them to let the other members of the group participate. If someone prays inappropriate prayers address it publicly, interrupting them gently, and explaining to the group why the prayer is inappropriate.

About the “How to” Series

This resource is part of a “how to” series that was designed to assist youth ministers in their ministry to young people. We have conducted interviews with experienced youth workers on a variety of subjects. These interviews can be found here. The interviews are short (each interview is less then 12mins in length), and practical. Each interview is accompanied by a written contribution. The written contributions are not long in length – they are easy to read and designed in such a way that busy youth ministers can quickly pick up important and useful tips on a range of practical topics. We hope you enjoy these resources.

Written contributors: Dion Fasi, Simon Greening, Ashleigh Stewart. Edited by Simon Greening.

The post How to lead youth in prayer appeared first on Anglican Diocese of Auckland.

This resource is part of a “how to” series that was designed to assist youth ministers in their ministry to young people. We have conducted interviews with experienced youth workers on a variety of subjects. These interviews can be found here. The interviews are short (each interview is less then 12mins in length), and practical. Each interview is accompanied by a written contribution. The written contributions are not long in length – they are easy to read and designed in such a way that busy youth ministers can quickly pick up important and useful tips on a range of practical topics. We hope you enjoy these resources.

Written contributors: Dion Fasi, Simon Greening, Ashleigh Stewart. Edited by Simon Greening.

Watch the Interviews

How to lead a small group – Part 1

How to lead a small group – Part 2

Leading a Small Group

In a small group young people are given the space to grow in a more intimate setting. Small groups have the potential to create lasting connections with other people in an atmosphere where honesty and vulnerability is encouraged.

Physical environment

While small groups should be able to function in any setting (many Christians around the world are forced to meet in caves, attics or forests because of persecution), make the most of what you have available to create an environment that is conducive to your aims. Ask yourself – what do you have to work with? Location, seating, lighting, heating, and equipment such as a CD player, television or laptop, can all combine to create an atmosphere.

Spiritual/emotional environment

Each group needs boundaries. Set these boundaries as a group from day one. The group needs to agree on these boundaries. Here are some questions to consider:

• Committment to participation
• Encouraging each other – speech, action and attitude
• A commitment to attend the small group as a priority with notice given as early as possible if a person is unable to attend at any point
• No mocking, discouraging remarks, destructive criticism
• Confidentiality, as a general rule what is shared in the group stays in the group unless permission is given. Do tell them, though, that anything involving crime, domestic violence, suicide etc cannot be kept confidential – there are legal and ethical issues that you should be aware of.

Format

Ask yourself, what is the purpose of the small group? For example, if it is to build a greater sense of fellowship and unity in a youth group then you might want it to be more conversational with ample time to pray for each other, and have regular shared dinners etc. If you aim to develop disciples then you might concentrate on biblical teaching. You could even have an evangelistic focus, where the aim is to have non believers gather in a small group setting to find out more.

The purpose of the group may change as time goes on so evaluate it at regular intervals. Alternatively, rather than having a single main purpose for the group you may have several goals for your small group.

Leadership

The style of leadership will depend on your personality and gifting. Other factors should also be taken into account, for example, the age of the members, the ‘spiritual level’ of the participants, and the culture of the small group. With a mature group you may be able to take a laid back approach and give the group space to make it their own. With a younger group you will probably need to take a stronger lead. A good small group leader works hard to build a relationship with each member. In a discussion ask both very general, open-ended questions as well as more specific questions to cover the different personalities in the group. Don’t let the extroverts dominate the discussions but try to draw introverts into the dialogue by asking if anyone who hasn’t spoken has anything they’d like to contribute.

The post How to lead a small group appeared first on Anglican Diocese of Auckland.

This resource is part of a “how to” series that was designed to assist youth ministers in their ministry to young people. We have conducted interviews with experienced youth workers on a variety of subjects. These interviews can be found here. The interviews are short (each interview is less then 12mins in length), and practical. Each interview is accompanied by a written contribution. The written contributions are not long in length – they are easy to read and designed in such a way that busy youth ministers can quickly pick up important and useful tips on a range of practical topics. We hope you enjoy these resources.

Written contributors: Dion Fasi, Simon Greening, Ashleigh Stewart. Edited by Simon Greening.

Watch the Interviews

How to Manage your time – Part 1

How to Manage your time – Part 2

Outputs or Outcomes

Outputs are primarily defined in relation to the time that you have ‘control’ over. Drawing on an analogy from the plant world, examples of outputs for a gardener would include watering plants, sowing seed, or storing plants in the right location. The gardener does not have full control over the plant growing process. However, the gardener can control some aspects of the plant growing process. Outputs are objective and measurable. The spiritual growth process in someone’s life is similar to the plant growing process (see 1 Corinthians 3).

As the youth-worker you have a role in the process of spiritual growth in a young persons’ life, just like the gardener has a role in the plant growth process. The role you play relates to outputs, the role God plays relates to outcomes. Don’t get these two ideas confused.

Therefore, you have to decide what outputs will facilitate spiritual growth in the lives of young people that you work with. The outputs you decide on will determine where you primarily spend your time. An output could be relational, program focused, or event orientated. This is not an exhaustive list.

The type of outputs selected will depend on the following:

1. The personality/strengths/gifts of the youth minister
2. The philosophy of the Church/youth ministry
3. Normally the youth minister will be required to work on a number of different outputs

Sitting down with your Vicar

Sit down with your Vicar and clarify the expectations he/she has of you. The question to decide is what outputs are you expected to deliver on.

Outputs can be measured objectively – for example, to run x amount of events during the year. In contrast, outcomes are primarily subjective – for example, spiritual transformation, character development, discipleship. Measuring outcomes is nearly impossible: firstly, because the youth minister has little control over individual spiritual transformation; secondly, outward signs of ‘spiritual growth’ are not always good markers. For these reasons a youth minister should be reviewed on outputs not outcomes. Reviewing performance based on subjective criteria, for example “is the youth group growing”, are “young people growing spiritually”, in my opinion, is not helpful.

Decide with your Vicar what the outputs will be

Once the discussion has taken place with your Vicar regarding the outputs and goals, you can then begin to organize your time so as to meet those outputs agreed upon. Time management is about scheduling time to achieve the goals which will ultimately fulfil the agreed output. Outputs act as a filter which can help you decide what not to do.

To be, or not to be, in the office

Use ‘non-contact’ or ‘office’ time wisely.

Firstly, use ‘energy bursts’ constructively. At some point in the day we have a burst of energy. Bill Hybels (Senior Pastor at Willow Creek Community Church, Chicago) has said that it is a good idea to know at what point of the day you have energy bursts. During those ‘energy bursts’ spend your time tackling the hard important tasks. For example, I find that sermon preparation requires substantial time. I know that my energy bursts occur early in the morning. Therefore, before I open email and make phone-calls, I put time into sermon preparation. Then after lunch, when my energy levels are low, I send emails or make phone-calls.

Secondly, have a think about whether a ‘shift’ approach to time management might be more helpful for you. I like this option. It is not a bad idea to treat a youth minister’s diary as something akin to a shift-work roster. Example shift times could be an AM shift: 8.30pm – 5pm or a PM shift: 2.30pm – 11pm. So each day you would do either a AM or PM shift. If you communicate this with your Vicar, and your Vicar knows for example that on Wednesdays you do a PM shift (maybe because you have youth-group on Wednesday nights), then you would not be expected at Church until 2.30pm.

Finally, keep these points in mind:

• Is your Vicar/or church office staff aware of your weekly schedule?
• Have you established expected outputs?
• Are you using your ‘non-contact’ time wisely?
• Is your current weekly schedule manageable?
• Are the outputs established achievable?

The post How to manage your time appeared first on Anglican Diocese of Auckland.

Simkin House Fund looks to fund grassroots ministry throughout the Diocese of Auckland, specifically events for youth.

The Hostel of the Holy Name Trust aims to support the development and nurturing of girls and women in the Diocese of Auckland.

Simkin House Fund

The Simkin House Fund is here to support Youth Ministry throughout the Diocese of Auckland. The Fund gives priority to the funding of camps, retreats, holiday programmes and youth events over the purchase of equipment.

The Fund was established in 1993 with the proceeds of the sale of Simkin House on Waiheke Island. The interest generated is split equitably between Anglican Youth Ministries (Diocese of Auckland) and Tai Tokerau Youth Council (Te Hui Amorangi ki te Tai Tokerau) and is used to fund grass/flax roots youth ministry.

Total funds for distribution are approximately $2,500.

If you have any questions after reading the application form, please contact the Diocesan Youth Facilitator on simkin@aym.org.nz.

Applications must be submitted by 30 August.

Simkin-House-Fund-2019-form

Hostel of the Holy Name

The Hostel of the Holy Name Trust works specifically to the benefit of the lives of women associated together for the purpose of the work of the Anglican Church in Auckland, and for the benefit of girls and women generally. There are two criteria that the Trust must consider when considering applications for funding:

“The Trust is to be construed as applying specifically to the cultivation and deepening of the devotional life amongst women associated together for the purpose of work in the Church in the Diocese of Auckland and for the benefit of girls and women generally.”

“To benefit a wide range of girls and women in all parts of the Diocese of Auckland.”

Examples of projects eligible for funding include:

• Retreats
• Quiet Days
• Workshops
• Establishing devotional literature
• Promoting ministry events for women

The closing date of the applications are the 31st of March and 30th of September by 5 pm. Email your applications to hosteloftheholyname@auckanglican.org.nz

The post Anglican Funding for Youth Ministry appeared first on Anglican Diocese of Auckland.