Truth: Good youth ministry cannot be done alone.
We hope that you have a youth ministry team at your church, but there's a team you may not realize that you have - your fellow youth pastors and youth workers in your community! They are one of your best youth ministry resources.
Here are the Top Ten reasons why we believe that youth ministry is a team sport.
#1 We share the same burning passion to see students know and grow in Jesus
We have the same end zone - even if we get there different ways, we're all driving down the field in the same direction! There are a certain number of students in your community and we should all be passionate about reaching every one of them.
#2 We've got great resources to share with each other
God has given all of us something to bring to the field - there's no doubt that what God has given you can be a giant help to others. No matter how good we are at youth ministry, there are always things out there we are unaware of - things that we need for our ministry but we only have access to them through working together. No player can play every position!
#3 There's power in praying together
No one can pray for you or pray for your ministry quite like another youth leader - because they understand the challenges, struggles, and obstacles you face. And they understand the victories you want to celebrate! Praying together with your fellow pastors for each other is a powerful experience.
#4 Because we can't afford not to do it together
Literally, no one person, church, or organization has enough financial, human, or material resources to reach all of the students in any given community or city on their own. It's impossible unless we work together.
#5 Because the issues are too big to solve on our own
The obstacles in front of us cannot be tackled by a single person, church or ministry. Drug problems, family problems, academic problems, etc. are overwhelming students in your community. When we line up against those things as a team we can make the plays that help students overcome.
We have FIVE MORE reasons, so be sure to read Part 2 of the 10 Reasons Why Youth Ministry is a Team Sport for #6-10! We hope this inspires you to begin the school year by connecting to other youth leaders in your community. Find the team that you didn't know that you had!
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Travis Deans is the Northeast Regional Coordinator Pennsylvania coordinator for the National Network of Youth Ministries, founder of 9 Month Missions Trip, and pretty much a networking guru! Connect with Travis Deans