Overcome Disunity in Your Community

Unity is core to who we are as the Network. Our collaboration shares Jesus by the love that we show. And yet so many network coordinators are despairing because the lack of unity in their networks. Youth leaders vote with their feet and apathy is more common than hostility. As a coach we need to identify the issues that leaders face and help them step through the process.

So how do you help others overcome disunity within their community?

Encourage the Encourager

Leading a network can be discouraging, especially when others are actively causing disunity. Network coordinators need to know someone is in their corner. As you coach another through unity issues help them know how much you care about who they are and what they are doing. Sometimes in these situations the youth leader is frayed and unraveling. As a result, they can lose perspective and as a leader, become part of the problem instead of the solution. When I meet with a coordinator, I love to ask, "How is your soul today?" and take time to pray for their personal needs. It also helps to prepare your own heart through prayer in advance so that you come from a place of sensitivity, security and confidence when encouraging other leaders.

Listen Actively

One challenge in coaching others is that we like to "fix it." However, as we are empowering others we need to allow them to own and solve their own problems. Sometimes the problem can be resolved solely by being a sounding board for the network coordinator. Active listening lets them know they have been heard. Reflect back emotion and content.

Clarifying questions can help you better assess what is at hand.

• "Tell me more about the situation."
• "What is God saying in this situation?"
• "Could you give me more context to this problem?"
• "What other advice have you received regarding this?"
• "Tell me more about this."
• "What I hear you saying is..."
• "What is at the heart of this unity issue?"

Identify the Issues

What is it that is bringing disunity to the network? Many times the leader does not know. We need to help them sift through the problems and identify important details. Some common culprits are:

• Lack of trust
• Pride
• Leadership immaturity
• Unclear vision
• Inconsistency in meetings
• Unfulfilled promises
• Being unbalanced in the network between relationships and strategy
• Not have a strong enough prayer base to overcome spiritual warfare
• Practical atheism - not allowing God to be the center of the network
• Allowing events to railroad relationships

You may have other good reasons to add to this list.

Guide them to find solutions

When it comes to actually solving the problem, give advice if asked. If not, then actively listen. A good lead in question may be, "How can I help you work through this problem?" Pray with them. Bring the situation to their heavenly Father who gives wisdom and power to overcome disunity. There are great resources to help encourage networkers in the InDepth section of the NNYM website.