follow-up

10 Ways to Show Your Small Group Leaders You Care

December 17, 2012 by doug 6 Comments

I know a lot of youth groups slow down a little or take the next couple of weeks off (during Christmas Break) and small group leaders get a little break. That’s a good thing! During this time, it’s great to make sure they know they’re loved and valued and essential to the health of your youth ministry. Drop them a short note or a quick text or a Merry Christmas… anything that communicates value.

As you prepare your care structure for next year, consider these 10 simple ideas to show small group leaders how important they are:

1. Call them the day of their small group. Take notes on the conversation and follow up with them the next day or week about something they said they were going to try in their small group.

2. Whenever you send something to your own small group students, make extra copies and send them to your small group leaders as examples.

3. Email them as a group and let them know about a lesson you taught or something that “worked” with your own small group.

4. Send them articles that you read about teenagers, culture, family or youth ministry in general.

5. Mail an actual note letting them know how much you appreciate them and couldn’t do ministry with out them. EVERYONE loves getting mail!

6. Ask them how you can pray for them personally… not just for their ministry to teenagers.

7. If they use the words, “If I only had…” or “I need to find a… ”… try to get it to them! How nice is it when someone else makes your job easier for you?

8. When you come across a teenager who is in a small group, ask him/her if they’d write their small group leader a note of affirmation (offer to mail it for the student).

9. Schedule a short, face-to-face meeting before or after youth group/church/etc… Get in the habit of regular “just wanted to connect and see how you’re doing” meetings. Let them know they’re not alone.

10. Send a short email reminding them that you’re available to answer any questions they might have about their small group. Do this often… ministry to teenagers can sometimes be lonely!

I realize these are very basic (and doable) ideas, but there’s a lot of power in the simple, basic ideas that communicate concern for your leaders. Leaders typically don’t leave a ministry, they leave leaders. Be the type of leader that your volunteers don’t want to leave.

Question: What else would you add to this list? Share it here.

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Filed Under: Leadership, posts, youth ministry Tagged With: care, conversation, follow-up, Leadership, shepherds, small group leaders, teenagers, volunteers

5 reasons I was a lousy small group this summer

October 10, 2011 by doug 11 Comments

In our youth ministry, after 29 years employed, I now get to use the phrase: “I’m just a volunteer.” Over the years, as a teacher/instructor, I playfully reprimanded many volunteers by telling them not to use the word “just” in their description of being a volunteer.

But, now I understand… I’m “just” a volunteer!

I don’t lead the ministry anymore, I don’t take the negative shots nor am I the target of occasional thanks and affirmation. I’m just a volunteer with a small group of (now) 10th grade guys who I’ve really fallen for. I like these guys a lot! They make me laugh, smile, and make me want to disciple them.

But, I’m still just a volunteer.

Last week was our first time back together as a small group (in Southern California, we begin school later than most of the country). When I was reconnecting with these guys, I realized that I had been a lousy small group leader this past summer.

Our amazing (and always affirming) high school pastor (Josh Griffin) would defend me and say, “We give our small group leaders the summer off to recuperate. There were no official expectations on you to do anything with your group.” Thanks Josh, you’re gracious… I appreciate it, but I know better.

I failed them.

Here’s five things I didn’t do with my small group this summer:

1. I didn’t stay in contact. I had a busy summer! I was in Korea, Africa, I ran a Student Leadership Conference, merged my life to Youth Specialties, tried to hang with my family, and help a buddy start a church. I did shoot a video with one boy from my small group and texted another a few times, but I didn’t stay in contact.

2. I didn’t regularly pray for them. Occasionally, I’m sure I did. I honestly don’t remember… which probably proves I didn’t. That sucks. I know better.

3. I didn’t gather the guys together for any special event. I had 2 months to do something and I didn’t do anything. I think I sent a text about a UFC fight night at my house, but I guess they were busy too.

4. I didn’t dream about who they were becoming. I did this for hundreds at our student leadership conference. I love doing this! I’ll often think about a teenager and play “what if” (what if he was fully committed to following Jesus). But not this summer… at least not with these boys.

5. I didn’t hold the guys accountable. A few of the guys have confided in me about their struggle with pornography, and I get an email thru xxxchurch.com when they fail and visit an inappropriate site. I followed up a couple of times, but I could have been better.

Honestly, I experienced so much joy seeing them again last week that the deep joy triggered some deep shame. I can excuse my actions (better yet, misactions) all day long, but the bottom line is that I wasn’t a very good shepherd/mentor/pastor/friend. I’m embarrassed.

I can use the excuse that I’m “just” a volunteer, but I know better. I’m not just a volunteer, I’m a minister to people who is called to care for young people… and I failed these guys. And that sucks.

That’s it! While I do believe that “something is better than nothing”… my summer ministry to them was pretty much nothing. That’s the bad news.

The good news is that I can look ahead and know that I can be a better minister this year.

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Filed Under: posts, youth ministry Tagged With: failure, follow-up, shepherding, small group, volunteers

GUEST POST: It’s not about the money, but it sure helps

July 16, 2011 by doug 2 Comments

In the many years I’ve worked as a volunteer in youth ministry, I was approached by both teenagers and adult leaders looking for financial support. Correspondingly, I was always shocked at the methods (or lack thereof) in the approaches they used.

I’m a professional money manager. I am managing millions of dollars in various portfolios for clients all over the country. It is stressful, it is rewarding, and it is also my calling. I love what I do! I have had to conduct “fundraising” efforts throughout my career to bring in more assets (fancy way of saying ‘money’) to manage. I am definitely not a “salesman” and I easily get my feelings hurt with rejection. Sound familiar?

Would you rather be a salesman or would you rather just talk to a friend? Personally, I’d rather just talk to a friend. That’s really what it all boils down to… talking to your friends, or at least, talking to people as though they’re good friends.

In today’s technology-filled world, you can talk to your friends in several ways. In my practice, I use e-mail, newsletters, thank you cards, phone calls, text messaging, snail mail, etc.. When I reach out to my clients, I don’t ever ask for their money. But, my clients send me their money to manage. So, how is this done? I’ve learned to talk to people like they’re friends and doing what Christians should do: care as Jesus would care!

Here are 5 simple rules to follow whenever you talk to people who may be able to provide you with financial support:

1. Talk to them like a friend by showing them you care. I know you care about people—that’s one of the main reasons you went into ministry. Be sincere. Be genuine. Call them on their birthdays. Take an interest in their lives and their family. Simply put, show them God’s love.

2. Tell them about what you’re doing in your career/ministry. Do not ask them for money. That’s right…do NOT ask them. People (for the most part) are intelligent. They know you need financial assistance. Tell them about how you’re trying to go to Africa, or whatever it is you want to do. Use the word “trying.” Tell them that you need their “prayers and other forms of support.” Leave it at that.

3. Ask them for their address so you can keep them updated. This is SO important so you can send them a newsletter! At least once every 4-8 weeks, hand-address an envelope in your own handwriting with a nicely written update (mass produced newsletter is okay) on what you’re doing in your ministry. They will enjoy reading it and you will politely be keeping your name in front of them. This is where you tell them about your financial goals.

4. Tell them about how you’re winning in the fight for Jesus. Everyone wants to be on a winning team. Use your newsletter to share your accomplishments and your goals for the rest of the year. They will want to join your team.

5. Follow-Up! If someone expresses the slightest interest in assisting you financially, call them! Don’t text them (too impersonal). Call your “friend” and see if the interest is sincere. If so, follow up! Collect phone numbers, addresses, and begin building a list. Don’t ever say, “If you want to know what I’m doing, just visit my web page or see my Facebook.” That is VERY impersonal, and besides, you’re violating rule #1 (see above)! Don’t drop the ball here. This step is critical. Put your follow up date on your calendar. Write it down. Make sure you follow up, and don’t miss.

There are a few other things you could do, but most of them revolve around the above 5 steps. Show people you care. Send them a “thank you” when they do support you or even better call them. Make it as personal and sincere as possible. If you simply treat others the way you would want to be treated, the financial support will come. Just be consistent.

Oh, and if you know of someone who needs a great financial professional to assist them with their retirement, please send me their e-mail address. I promise you, I’ll follow up!

Question: What questions do you have about your money?

Rob Vollmer is a long time youth ministry volunteer, he still dresses up for Halloween, he watches Survivor at the Fields’ house, and works at First Allied Securities. He can be contacted at rvollmer@msn.com or followed on Twitter: www.twitter.com/rvollmer