Know what you are doing theologically

• what are the ultimate motivations for what we do?
• when it comes to not just teaching, but pastoral care etc etc – what guides us
• how are we different from secular youth work, but more than “holy” good intentions?
• "The difference between those who thrive in youth ministry and those who collapse under its weight lies in the substance of our foundations: have we built ministry on theological bedrock, or on the shifitng sands of cultural relevance?...We must identify our 'theological rocks', the convictions about who God is and what God is about that are normative for everything we do...Practical theology is concerned wth Christian action, with the way we enact faith in the life of discipleship and ministry in the churchan din the world".
  (Kenda Creasy Dean, “Starting Right” p 15 & 17)

Know what you are doing theoretically

• why do you do what you do?
• what informs your practice?
• where do you need training or reading?
• have a reason for all you do (macro and micro)
• Forums: discuss & debate.

Know what you are doing strategically

• not just good ideas, but targeted
• knee-jerk doesn’t work – latest trends die out
• no quick fixes: hard work over time (don’t let your church believe it either!)
• Journey: where are we now?
• Review: “If you always do what you’ve always done, you'll always get what you've always got!"
• but not change for change sake
• Why is each organisation there and how do they fit into the youth ministry & church?
• What is your audience and what are their needs?

Know what you are doing contractually: what does management expect?

• Have you got & signed a contract!?!
• Are you clear about your job description?
• Is any reference made to it when you are discussing your work?
• Are your lines of management clear? (to you & everyone)
• Do you priorities match up with theirs? If not, how do you handle it?
• Find out the procedures for management, review, discipline, leave, sickness etc
• If they haven’t done these things – be gracious but insist on it (seek help).

Talk to your management

• Spend time with the key peopleMake yourself accountable
• Get to Kirk Session / Management Board regularly to report & influence the agenda
• Insist on regular monthly supervision / weekly – feed back
• If you have issues, raise them early & graciously.

Talk to your leaders

• make sure everyone is clear what your job is (everyone will have their own idea,,,)
• make sure they know what is expected of them too & how what they does fits in
• keep bleeding vision,
• keep encouraging, affirming etc
• listen to them, spend time with them (esp the awkward ones!)
• model & filter down strategic thinking, planning, evaluation (macro & micro levels).

Talk to your young people & congregation

• be upfront even if you are not comfortable
• write in the church magazine
• listen
• build relationships with ppl not directly involved, esp parents, praying people,
• keep young people in the picture.

Set goals

• How do you know how you are doing?
• What does success look like in ministry?
• SMART
• Goals for programmes, organisations, overall ministry
• Goals which fit in with the wider ethos of the church.

Measure & evaluate: ministry & personally

• MINISTRY
  • Encourage organisations to meet regularly, review each meeting etc
  • Keep measuring against your goals
  • Do you have the right resources: facilities, people, finances, prayer, yp involved?
• PERSONAL
  • Supervision - 6 month probation / annual appraisal
  • know what’s good & what needs work (or seek help outside)
  • Agree targets / goals and review progress
  • Make sure you receive feedback at different levels
  • Bottom line: know that they are not just happy, but have evaluated your work
  • Seek opportunities for ongoing relevant training at your employers expense(Leaders are learners).

Questions to consider:

• What makes you feel most competent to do your job?
• What would make the biggest difference in improving your confidence & competence?
• How much do you get to review & evaluate
  • your ministry programmes?
  • your own performance?