When Comfort Gets in the Way
Comfortable. That should be a scary word for those of us serving in youth ministry.
God hasn't called us to simply be comfortable. Yet it's easy to settle into familiar routines, surround ourselves with people who think like us, and stick with what we already know.
But comfort can keep us from engaging with youth culture, building relationships with people who are different from us, and becoming the ambassadors for the Kingdom of God we're called to be.
The problem isn't that we find comfort in familiar places. The problem is when our comfort becomes more important than our growth.
Who Do You Need to Learn From?
At National Network of Youth Ministries (NNYM), part of our mission is to see youth leaders professionally equipped. Professional growth requires a willingness to be stretched.
That means being willing to learn from people who see ministry differently. As youth leaders, we need people in our lives who will both encourage and challenge us, not only in our ministry but also in our walk with the living God.
So, who do you need to learn from?
Maybe it's someone older who has years of ministry experience to share. Maybe it's someone younger who understands the world your students are navigating in ways you don't. Maybe it's someone outside your denomination or ministry movement, or someone from a different cultural or social background.
We don't have to agree on everything to learn from one another. Sometimes, the people who stretch us the most are the ones who help us see what we've been missing.
Pray a Dangerous Prayer
What if we stopped asking God to make ministry easier and started asking Him to make us more willing to grow?
Take a moment to pray this dangerous prayer:
"God, make me uncomfortable for You. Who are the people You are calling me to learn from?"
Then be willing to listen to His answer.
Step outside your usual circles. Build a relationship with someone whose experiences differ from yours. Ask questions. Listen to their stories. Be willing to consider a different perspective before explaining why you do things the way you do.
You don't have to abandon your convictions to learn from someone else. Growth begins when we're willing to learn from people who challenge us, stretch us, and see the world differently.
Listen More Than You Speak
Sometimes, we're really good at talking but terrible at listening.
We can become so focused on sharing what we know, defending our approach, or offering solutions that we miss what God wants to teach us through someone else.
Listening requires humility. It means being curious instead of defensive, asking questions instead of making assumptions. It means recognizing that God can use people who are different from us to deepen our understanding, and help us become more effective in ministry.
Being professionally equipped means more than gaining knowledge or learning new skills.
It means being humble enough to listen to the people God places in our lives, allowing Him to use those relationships to challenge us, stretch us, and shape us into the leaders He wants us to become.
Are You Willing to Be Stretched?
Youth leader, you invest in helping students grow in their faith. You encourage them to take risks, trust God, and follow Jesus beyond what feels familiar.
Are you willing to do the same? Don't let comfort keep you from the growth God has for you.
You don't have to figure it all out on your own. God often uses relationships and community to help us grow into the leaders He has called us to be.
So, youth leaders, are you willing to be uncomfortable?
No matter where you are in this journey, whether thriving, stretching, or somewhere in between, you don't have to figure it out alone. We're here to walk with you.
Connect with our team: We'd love to listen, encourage, and pray with you. Reach out to nnym.org/connect or 1-800-CALL-NNYM.
