Shore Youth Ministry

India Update

Brandon — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 01:38:47 +0000

As I have said before, later this month I will be spending two weeks in India. I will be a part of a 4 man team to travel from the US to India and train 40 pastors in the state of Chhattisgarh. These pastors are preparing to plant churches in their hometowns. They are high on ambition and passion for evangelism, but lack theological training. That’s where we come in! In just 5 days we will try to cram in as much Biblical training as we possibly can. Here is an itinerary for our trip:

Our team will leave from Newark, NJ on Monday, September 14. Our flight is nonstop to New Delhi (over 15 hours!), and we should arrive there 8:15 pm the next day (New Delhi time).
Wednesday, September 16, we will do some sightseeing in New Delhi, as well as visiting the Taj Mahal. Very excited about this!
Thursday, September 17 we will fly from New Delhi to Raipur (capital of Chhatttisgarh). From there we will drive 3 hours to Bilaspur, our home for the next few days.
Friday and Saturday are the first 2 days of training. Each day we will drive an hour to the village of Pamgarh (where the training center is located). Two guys will give lessons in the morning and the other two will teach in the afternoon.
On Sunday, September 20, the 4 of us will split up and preach in local churches. From what I have heard, these services are LONG! I am already preparing myself to give 2 seperate sermons!
Monday through Wednesday are more days of training. Each trainer has about 2 hours to teach each day (including translating).
Thursday, September 24 is a day filled with traveling. We will spend the whole day heading back to Raipur and then New Delhi. Our flight leaves New Delhi at 10:50 pm (New Delhi time).
After another 15+ hour flight, we will arrive back in Newark at 4:35 am on Friday, September 25.

Here are some prayer requests for the trip:

Safe travels. A good portion of our trip will be on airplanes. Luckily everything is direct so we don’t have to worry about connection flights.
Training. Pray for the 4 of us as we try to communicate as much information as possible. My biggest difficulty is trying to figure out the most essential things to say. Pray also for the 40 pastors we will be training. The amount of training coming at them will be like trying to drink from a fire hose!
The Church in India. It will be interesting to meet with and encourage the Christians in India. Pray for the congregations we will be preaching to on Sunday.
Family in the USA. Pray for our spouses and family members back in the United States, as we will be apart for almost 2 weeks.

If you want to receive updates about the trip, email me (brandon AT shoreyouthministry DOT com) and I will put you on our mailing list. We hope to send an email update daily (it depends on how close the internet cafe is to our hotel). Also, be sure to check out my Posterous account (BrandonSchmidt.me) as we will try to post pictures there.

End of Silence

Brandon — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 01:04:06 +0000

The last few weeks have been crazy busy for me, thus resulting in a lack of blogging. Here are some reasons for my lack of time online:

Summer. The summer is starting to wind down for us here at the Tabernacle. Labor Day is next weekend, which means we only have a few more weeks of “in-season” around here (typically lasts until the end of September).
Seminary. I have been taking a correspondence class through Gordon-Conwell this summer. The lessons are simple, but the homework and vocab memorization is time consuming. Plus, this week I have been studying for a quiz (1 of only 4 grades in the class).
Fall Activities. We are right in the middle of big plans for the Fall season. All of us here are really excited about the potential impact of these events in the community.
India. In a few weeks I will be flying to New Delhi to spend 2 weeks in India. The last few weeks have been very busy in terms of finalizing plans, working out travel arrangements, and preparing for the lessons I will be teaching there.

Book Review: Next Generation Leader

Brandon — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 21:23:36 +0000

I read through Andy Stanley’s Next Generation Leader this past week and was very impressed. Andy, Pastor of North Point Ministries in Atlanta, GA, wrote this book to help the upcoming generation of young ministry leaders. Leading a young and vibrant group of churches has provided Andy with a wealth of experience and knowledge that he seeks to pass on through this book. In the book, Stanley suggests that you focus on 5 essentials for leaders: Competence, Courage, Clarity, Coaching, and Character.

I really appreciated Andy’s suggestions on cutting back on responsibilities so that a leader can “Only do what you can do.” A leader should not become a “jack of all trades” (something I strive to do); instead, a leader should empower others to do what he is not gifted to do. By delegating the other areas away, a leader can focus on what God has gifted that person to do.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It was a quick read that should be a help for younger ministry leaders. Some sections of the book will sound familiar to people familiar with Andy Stanley, as they are found in his other works. However, this does not take away from the purpose and impact of the book. This book would be a great gift for a ministry intern, younger staff member, or a leader you are mentoring. Rating: 4.5/5

Twitter Toolbox

Brandon — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 01:30:23 +0000

As a result of my iPhone, I have been spending more time on Twitter. While I have always enjoyed using Twitter to keep friends and family up to date on my life, my recent spike in usage has found me enjoying Twitter in other areas. For example, I have loved the articles and websites that people provide, especially @guykawasaki and @michaelhyatt. Big name pastors (@RickWarren & @MattChandler74) and leaders (@JohnCMaxwell) provide inspiration and encouragement in 140 characters or less. News feeds like @CNNbrk provide breaking news as it happens (just don’t rely on Twitter as a primary news source). The local amateur soccer team has a Twitter account (@OceanCityBarons), allowing me to find out the score to their away games.

A Twitter feature that I had not utilized until recently is the Favorites section. Simply put, you can star a tweet that you like, and then find it later under the Favorites section of your Twitter account. But that’s not all! Twitter includes a RSS feed of each person’s favorites. Be sure to subscribe to my Favorites feed (RSS), as I mark 7-10 tweets daily that I find interesting.

The series Youth Pastor Toolbox discusses tools of the trade for youth ministry. A new “Youth Pastor Toolbox” will be posted most Tuesdays.

Blessing Others Through Gifts

Brandon — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 20:06:11 +0000

Gifts and acts of kindness can be a great form of encouragement. For many (including myself), a physical gesture or item speaks to their love language. Giving a gift not only shows the recipient that you were thinking of them, but also shows that you approve and are supportive of them. Plus, giving a gift often impacts the giver just as much as the recipient.

Here are some of the many areas you can bless others through gifts:

Missions. Have your Vacation Bible School students raise money for a item on a missionary’s wishlist. Have your youth group sponsor a Compassion International child for a year.
Local ministries. Ask a local partner ministry for a way to support them. Allow them to use your building for free. Bless them with a donation during a slow giving season. Enlist your students and volunteer with that ministry for a day.
Leaders. Your volunteer youth leaders are so valuable, show them how much you appreciate them. Give them a gift randomly. Send them a card expressing your gratitude. And always pay their way for an event (via Life in Student Ministry).
Students. Give a new Christian a Bible and devotional guide to help them start in their Christian walk. Buy a student leadership book for a Junior or Senior. Send an encouraging note or Facebook message.

(image by ginnerobot)

Blessing Others through Mentoring

Brandon — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 23:26:31 +0000

The first 2-3 years in youth ministry can be an emotional roller coaster, including the highs (finding a job, leading a student to Christ, and witnessing changed lives) and the lows (church politics, unappreciative parents, and leaving a job). Holding high expectations and an idealized view of ministry, a rookie youth worker can become demoralized when faced with realities of working in ministry. If a youth worker does not have help and support to get through these years, they are more likely to leave the ministry due to burnout.

If you are a veteran ministry leader (whether youth ministry or not), some of the best help you can give a youth worker is advice. You have seen the rough parts of ministry. You have been on the roller coaster ride that is the start of a ministry. You have experienced your set of success and failures. Pass on that experience to a rookie youth worker.

A great example of a vet blessing rookie youth workers is Doug Fields. His book Your First Two Years in Youth Ministry is a must read for all youth workers. In the book, Fields provides encouragement, support, and helpful tips that he has learned in his years of ministry. While you don’t have to write a book and sell thousands of copies, your impact can be much more focused and personal.

Here are specific areas to help a young youth worker:

Encouragement. Be an encouragement to the young youth worker. Let them know when they are doing a good job. Help them keep a Kingdom mentality. Remind them of their call and passion for ministry.
Support. Provide emotional support for the tough times in ministry. You have been there before, so you know how hard it can be. Become the shoulder for the youth worker to cry on.
Tips. Provide practical advice to a new youth worker. Help them avoid the common “rookie” mistakes. Pass on the great horror stories of your first overnighter as learning examples. By passing on your failures, you can help them prevent repeating them.

(image by foxypar4)

Blessing Others in Ministry

Brandon — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 15:52:43 +0000

Earlier this week I received the Adobe Creative Suite 3 Web Premium. For free.

I was given CS3 after entering a drawing on ChurchCrunch. A reader of that blog recently upgraded and wanted to bless someone else in ministry.

After receiving the gift in the mail, it made me think about blessing others in ministry. Whether it is a gift, a donation, helpful advice, or just some much needed encouragement, blessing others in ministry is an excellent way to build a Kingdom mindset. Over the next week, this blog will take a deeper look at blessing others in ministry.

(image by shereen84)

Local Library

Brandon — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 19:32:54 +0000

A city’s local library is typically the most underused public resource. Thousands of books, magazines, DVDs and other sources of information are freely available to any citizen, yet most people rarely enter through the doors. Here is some advice on how to take full advantage of your library’s resources:

Use Library as a Second Office

Youth workers can use a library as a second office – a comfortable place to do work and meet with students. Most libraries have plenty of space, large tables to use as a desk, and even conference rooms or meeting spaces. Plus, many libraries have plenty of outlets and free wifi for your laptop.

Use Free Resources

The main purpose behind a local library is to provide free learning resources for the community. Use these resources to your advantage in ministry. Borrow a book before you purchase it. Use the library’s media resources (DVDs and CDs) as lesson illustrations. Browse through the magazine collection each month, noting issues on teen culture and issues.

Youth Worker Titles

Brandon — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 23:45:44 +0000

Every church and para-church ministry is different, especially when it comes to staff titles and job descriptions. While your title might be common knowledge to your teammates and students, members of the congregation and community might not know it. As the “youth guy” at my ministry, I have been called Youth Pastor, Youth Director, and even “the Right Reverend” (I am kinda partial to that). In some instances, these titles are interchangeable. However, there are subtle differences between the titles. Some differences are based on assumptions made by the congregation. Other differences are purposeful, intended by the church leadership. Let’s take a look at some of the youth worker titles and see how they compare.

Youth Director

The title “Youth Director” is used in a wide variety of settings. For some churches, it is a way to hire a warm body to run the youth programs. This person’s role is much more administration-focused and not as much relational. This person leads the Jr. High/Sr. High Sunday School class and is in charge of scheduling the yearly teen pizza party.

Other churches use “Youth Director” to denote that the staff member is not ordained. He or she may still be going through the process of becoming ordained, or they do not have the desire to become a minister. Churches that do not allow female pastors will use the term “Youth Director” for a female ministry leader. For churches with strict denominational rules on becoming ordained, some youth workers choose not to become ordained. Instead, as Youth Director they remain an employee of the local church and not subject to a pastoral relocation.

Youth Pastor

In most situations, the only difference between a Youth Director and a Youth Pastor is ordination. Dependent on your church’s denominational affiliation, becoming a Pastor can be as hard as graduating seminary, writing papers, and being quizzed before a (firing squad) pastoral interview team. Or it can be as easy as taking a few online Bible classes and talking to your Senior Pastor.

Since he or she is ordained, a Youth Pastor likely has a few additional responsibilities to the greater church. They will be called on to preach when the Senior Pastor is on vacation (the ‘B’ Team). They may take turns being the On Call Pastor (in case of emergency for the congregation). And, they will definitely be asked to officiate weddings and funerals.

Other Titles

There are many other titles that youth workers can be given by their church. Youth Interns are typically summer or seasonal helpers. Most are likely college students, looking for course credit or ministry experience prior to a full-time ministry position. Volunteer or bi-vocational youth workers can be referred by those titles, or simply as “youth leader.”

Titles Don’t Matter

Unless your name is Dwight from The Office, a title should not be a big deal. Whether they are called Youth Pastor, Youth Director, “the youth guy,” or some other term, all youth workers share one common trait: they are passionate about changing the life of a student. Titles should not change that.

(image by sanjoselibrary)

Juggling Seminary and Ministry

Brandon — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 15:09:01 +0000

Seminary is a great training ground for current and future pastors. Providing theological and practical ministry training, seminary training is a requirement for ordination in most churches. But, for many youth workers (including myself), attending seminary full-time is not an option. So how do you juggle full-time ministry (or work) and seminary?

Coordinate with your Church. Talk to your Senior Pastor, Executive Pastor, or leadership team about making time for Seminary. There are many different avenues to find time: online or distance education, week-long classes, sabbaticals, and off-seasons in your ministry. Also find out how else the church can help you, whether it be with finances, transportation, or study materials. Your church should support you in your education, as it is beneficial to both you and your ministry.
Budget Your Time. Make sure to budget your time, both for classes and homework and studies. Find a place (away from the office) where you will not be distracted. I like to get all my seminary work done one morning a week at Starbucks, my unofficial 2nd office.
Use the Info. One knock people have against seminary is that much of what you learn there is theoretical and not practical. You can help change that outlook by applying your classes directly to your ministry. Use a current situation as an example during discussion. Meet with your professor after class to apply the lesson further to your setting. Connect with other pastors from your class, sharing advice and information.

(image by pedromourapinheiro)