Leaders

Our focus:

Using the biblical model of "shepherd leaders", shepherds must not only care for their flock, but must also be competent in a variety of skills (veterinary, agriculture, weather, protections against predators, etc.).  Today's youth leaders must not only care for their "flocks", but also have a variety of skills beyond their biblical knowledge, such as: financial management, planning, program design and evaluation, volunteer recruitment and supervision, legal issues, information technology, collaboration and training skills, etc.

In our culture, we are blessed with great technology, abundant printed resources, on-line training options and national conferences ... but we have a shortage of locally-focused training opportunities, followed-up with personal coaching, encouragement and the accountability that comes with a live person and regular meetings to work through applying better ideas and learning new skills.

Which leaders?

Since most youth workers are volunteers or bi-vocational, our efforts will fit within their availabilities.  Full-time youth workers and youth pastors, already have access and resources for training.  Since a large percentage (over 50%?) of youth workers and volunteers are female, our efforts will also include efforts to help women feel welcome, as equal leaders and servants in our training.  Since the needs and distinctions often overlap between age groups, children's workers will also be served when possible.  While serving Christian youth and children's workers within the scope of our Statement of Faith, all races, ethnicities and ages (older teens and up) will be welcome.

Our strategies:

• Help sponsor locally-focused, small group workshops, in partnership with other groups.  Other organizations already have good curriculum for training church and ministry leaders, but they are usually general principles with broad applications.  We can work with these groups, in the follow-up coaching needed for youth workers.  We can also partner with these groups, in providing additional training opportunities.

• Provide on-going encouragement and skill-based training, for individual youth workers.  As our contacts grow, we hope to build a pool of experienced veterans, who will be willing and able, to coach children and youth workers in developing their needed skills.  Most of the formal training will be provided by other organizations whose primary focus is the coaching and training of youth pastors and youth workers.

• Facilitate local "Best Practices" research and forums, on relevant core topics such as: "Mentoring", "Discipleship" and "Building Financial Support for your Ministry".