Why Network? Part 2 - Equipping

Ever feel alone in ministry? Boy, I sure have. I remember one time being so depressed that I could not even get off the floor to go to speak at my youth group. Isolation, abandonment and desperation can all combine to push us away from those who can help us most. Thankfully, I had friends in ministry who took the initiative and helped me work through my issues. But how about you?

So why are we better together?

In part 1 we talked about how Jesus desires our unity. That unity isn't just for unity's sake. One reason we are better together is because we can build each other up. One of my favorite verses is Prov. 27:17:

"As iron sharpens iron so one friend sharpens another."

Uniting together gives each of us the opportunity to get sharpened in ministry. I see this happening in three ways.

We encourage one another

Many of the great leaders in the Bible dealt with discouragement. Joshua, Elijah, Gideon, Barak, Timothy, Paul - and even Jesus! On the night of His betrayal, He told His disciples to stay awake and watch with Him because He was overwhelmed with sorrow. If Jesus needed this support, we must also need one another - to watch each others' backs and to help build our courage. Who is in your corner with you?

We equip one another

Iron sharpening iron is a great word picture. A dull blade is dangerous because it will not cut properly. How many times are we functioning as "dull blades" in youth ministry? Other youth workers are ideally suited to help us to get the training, the resources and the strategy we need to effectively equip teenagers to be disciple makers. Working together helps us develop the skill set necessary to thrive in ministry - rather than barely survive!

We edify one another

I belong to a ministry network where we build each other up and help fill in each others' gaps. When we get together, we pray for our personal and ministry needs. When somebody hurts we stop and focus on them. Many times youth leaders get together outside of meetings to support and help one another.

We are better together!

We want you to be built up and to build others up in youth ministry. You may not think of yourself as a youth worker. But if you love God and love teenagers, we need you and we think you need us! I invite you to register with NNYM, get plugged in to a local ministry network, and begin to experience how we can equip one another for ministry!