Don't Go Alone

Nobody understands youth ministry like fellow youth workers. There is something about planning ridiculous events, engaging the messiness of adolescence, eating too much pizza, sleeping on floors, laughing at middle school humor, crying over high school heart ache and pleading with Jesus through the challenges this generation is facing that makes youth workers really unique. Our uniqueness can make us feel isolated. The challenges of youth ministry can be overwhelming, the expectations suffocating and the demands all-consuming. Don't get me wrong, I love youth ministry! Through the past 17 years I've felt this stress and I have spent enough time with other youth workers to know these feelings are prevalent!

Maybe you are like me and you struggle to find people who will understand me? How do we find places to be really honest, to share our struggles, fears, longings, hopes, excitement, and ideas? Whom do we go when we are not sure we can serve another day? WHERE CAN WE GO when we cannot hear God in the midst of our journey? I have watched far too many of my youth ministry friends fail out. In the bleakness of a desperate challenge they have compromised with choices and were taken out of the game. I firmly believe that if they would have had a place to just be. A place where they could be surrounded by a community of like-minded people committed to their spiritual health:

as a person,

a jesus-follwer,

a husband/wife,

a dad/mom,

a pastor,

... they might have stayed in the game. They may have been rescued from the choices they were contemplating, and they could have been restored through mentorship to healthier leadership. We desperately need THIS kind of a community in youth ministry!

A few years ago I heard about a community like this, but I was skeptical. I had seen how organizations come and go and the harsh truth was that leadership was lonely and safety/sanctuary was an unrealistic ideal of for pastors. Pastors have to be "on" all the time because there are very few places where we can be honest.

Seriously, when was the last time you were honest - I mean REALLY, show 100%, even the really ugly, honest? I couldn't remember.

So I stumbled skeptically into coaching with LEAD222 Ministries. The coaching material was good, the intent of the organization seemed legit and I thought it'd be something neat to be involved with... and then I went to the Coaches Corner and my mind was blown! In one weekend my view of community radically shifted and my soul was encouraged beyond words. Youth pastors from all over the country gathered to sharpen each other spiritually as ministry coaches and I realized they meant business. The Coaches Corner unbelievably was a safe space: to be honest, to be vulnerable, to be encouraged, and to be prayed for to become healthy leaders. Here honesty led to tears, comfort, empathy, encouragement, prayer, accountability, and a beautiful image of the Body of Christ lifting each other another up for the sake of the Kingdom.

I have found a place of healing for the soul of a youth worker. A place where true community is available to youth workers and their families. A place where I can be sharpened to be a healthy leader. What's awesome is that it is available to all youth workers, no matter the denomination, size of church, region - you ARE invited!

Everyone  joins LEAD222 as a Coach in Training. Our hope is that after receiving a year of personal coaching, you'll want to help pass it on. You'll continue to receive coaching within the community as well. We want to invite as many people to join us as possible. Not only do youth pastors receive great coaching from veteran youth workers, you have access to resources within the community. LEAD's commitment is to change the culture of youth ministry through mentoring and authentic community.  Hearing the stories of how this community has impacted youth workers and youth ministries around the country is happening and it's astounding. We are appreciative of networks like NNYM where we can partner to help youth workers find deeper community and care to be the best they can for the Kingdom.

We'd love to have you be a part of the LEAD222 community! Would you join us? If you're interested, head to lead222.com/becomeacit to join us as a coach in training. Let's do this together!  

Lisette Fraser is a wife, mom, and youth pastor who loves God and kids.
Follow her on Twitter @lisefras