MinTools Blog Equips for Church, Ministry & Walk with God

Priority Objectives for a Youth Director

Posted on November 30, 2022 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — 1 Comment ↓

We live in challenging times to be a youth director but more than ever teens need a positive influence in their lives as they face difficult moral choices, mental and emotional turmoil, shattered trust in authority, and attacks on a biblical worldview. They need hope, a sense of belonging, and an identity securely rooted in truth.

Top Priority for a Youth Director

Love the Top Priority for a Youth DIrector
First and foremost, youth leaders need a love for the Lord that spills over into a heart for the teens (Matt. 22:37-40). If one or both of these are missing, teens will soon notice and ministry will be less effective.

Love for the Lord keeps Him first and in the center of what we do.

Love for the teens gives us the motivation to invest into them and the youth ministry with the intent of helping them learn to love the Lord too. As He becomes their all in all, they’ll find Him to be enough even in their most difficult days.

Out of love for the Lord comes an authenticity that speaks volumes to youth, probably more than all the actual words we could speak. Out of love for teens comes an atmosphere of acceptance, respect, and security which appeals to deep-rooted needs within them and opens them to further ministry.

Three Objectives for Those Leading Youth Ministry

With love as our primary driving force, we’re ready for ministry.

Understand youth and their culture and meet them there.

We need to meet teens where they are to take them to where they should be, to go deeper in their walk with the Lord. If we don’t understand how they view life, the messages we send might not get through the way we intend. They might hear something different than what we think we’re communicating. Find help at: Youth Ministry Resources

Build community within the youth group, making the emphasis about relationships — first with God and then with us and the other teens.

Take time to read the blog post, The Focus of Youth Ministry. From this focus, we then strategize or plan out our youth program and meetings. What can we do to help them “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pet. 3:18), to love Him more? What can we do to help them know one another better, not to be cliquish, but to engage in true body life to help each other grow? What can we do to let them know we care?

Disciple, or mentor, them in their love relationship with the Lord.

Youth ministry needs to be about more than fun activities or hanging out. It even needs to be about more than simply learning “about” God or gaining head knowledge from the Bible. Teens need help navigating through life with Christ at the helm. Some of that can happen in a large group setting, but it will take more. They need to see an example. They need to be nurtured. They need feedback and debriefing. This best happens one-on-one and/or in small groups. Some can take place through texting, social media, and the like, but we must never let that replace face to face ministry. Check out the Shepherding Ministry section on the MinTools.com site. Start by reading through all the general pages and then under venues, hone in on the discipleship posts. Though these pages don’t specifically target youth ministry, the principles apply.

Sure, there’s more a youth director must do like planning and scheduling activities, service projects, group dynamic, parent relations, dealing with conflict and discipline issues, staffing, working with a budget, etc. However, with priorities and main objectives as suggested above, we’re headed in a good direction with lots of ministry potential.

A Love Letter to God

Posted on November 16, 2022 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

Sometimes people in love write love letters to each other, admiring the person for who he/she is and what they do. Expressing feelings in writing, whether that be an actual letter, text, or e-mail, may seem easier than over the phone or in person. If we love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mk. 12:30), perhaps we’d do well to take time to write a love letter to God. He’s already written of His great love for us through His Word.

God Wants Praise and Worship that’s Written from the Heart

God already knows what’s in our heart so writing Him a love letter may be as much for our benefit as for His. Nonetheless, praise is good and fitting for His people (Ps. 33:1). It helps reinforce within us the great God we have.

Whatever we write in praise to our Lord needs to be more than lip service, merely saying what we “should” say (Mk. 7:6; 1 Jn. 3:18). God looks for authentic worship, that which is done “in spirit and truth” (Jn. 4:23-24). — “Praise the LORD, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.” (Ps. 103:1)

To get beyond mere words to expressions of the heart …

think about what you know to be true about God,

meditate on those truths until it stirs up a reaction within you,

and then articulate how you feel to Him.

Example of a Love Letter to God

My Dearest Lord,

What a joy it is to love someone as special as you. I’m consumed with awe thinking about you. Words can’t accurately describe just what you mean to me. I love you so much!

You make me glad to be alive. You give purpose to my life. Even in the darkest night I know you’re there caring and helping me all the way. And, you always seem to know what’s best. You’re so dependable and faithful, someone I can always count on. You deserve more praise and honor than anyone I know.

All you do is filled with splendor. Yet, I love you not just for what you do but for who you are. You are fairer than the fairest. You are so gentle, yet you know precisely when to be firm. Your love for me is greater than the sands of the ocean. How can I help but love you?

Now, I want you to know: I’m not just a secret admirer. I’m not ashamed to let the world know I love you. I want them to see how handsomely fine you are. Dressed in your majesty, you excel all others. You are number one.

You are kind and gracious, filled with goodness and love. Anyone should be proud to belong to you! I’m glad you’re mine. I love you so.

Eternally yours,

Prayer in Outreach Ministry

Posted on November 9, 2022 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

Too often in the church we set up strategies for reaching others with the Good News of Jesus without investing adequate prayer in outreach ministry. Scripture, however, keeps pointing to our need to go to God about all that pertains to outreach.

The Importance of Prayer in Outreach Ministry

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people . . . This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. (1 Tim. 2:1-6)

We’re urged to pray for everyone because God “wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of truth” (1 Tim. 2:4). It’s one of the ways we work in cooperation with God (1 Cor. 3:7-10) as His co-workers. Not only do we live in obedience to God’s command for us to pray for all people, but we’re doing something good which pleases God.

Biblical Content for Praying About Outreach

Our situations may vary, taking our prayers in specific directions, but we all can pray these biblical prayers ..

that God would bring people to salvation (1 Tim. 2:1-4)

that the Lord of the harvest would send forth laborers (Matt. 9:36-38)

that we would have boldness and clarity in sharing the Gospel (Eph. 6:18-20; Col. 4:4)

that doors would open (Rom. 15:30-32; Col. 4:3; 2 Thess. 3:1-2)

that God’s protection would be upon us as we spread the message of the Gospel (2 Thess. 3:1-3)

The above list of prayer needs in outreach is listed in the Outreach Ministry Manual which gives additional reasons for connecting with God in prayer about outreach. It also takes a deeper look at 1 Timothy 2:1-4. Click on the link to learn more about other areas of outreach ministry covered in the manual.

Leaders & Teachers, Avoid Stagnation

Posted on November 2, 2022 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — 2 Comments ↓

Stagnation happens in bodies of water when the water stops flowing or moving. Stagnated water can lead to contamination, becoming a breeding ground for insects, bacteria and parasites which leads to disease and possibly death. Because that’s a dangerous situation, hazardous to health, we should avoid stagnated water. And, we should also avoid stagnation from developing in the Body of Christ.

When Churches Become Stagnated

Stagnation happens in bodies of believers when teachers and leaders become satisfied with status quo. They basically stand still, making little headway. Soon the church becomes unhealthy, no longer able to offer a cup of life-giving water to others. Some of these churches eventually die.

Leaders can plateau, maintaining rather developing or moving forward.

Teachers can get stuck in ruts, using the same methods over and over.

How Church Leaders and Bible Teachers Avoid Stagnation

Think about what it takes to prevent water from stagnating. We can draw similar parallels for what it will take for leaders and teachers to avoid stagnation.

Movement: We’ll prevent stagnation by keeping the water moving, stirring it up. We set goals, based on prayer and constantly work toward them, always looking ahead to what God wants us to do. Stagnation isn’t an option. — “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on …” (Phil. 3:12-14)

Instead a resting in the way we’ve always done things, we try new means, or methods, of accomplishing the same task. We keep seeking to get better and to reach more. We never stop learning but take the time to keep growing.

Drainage: Letting water seep out as new water comes in can help avoid stagnation. And so, we invest into people’s lives rather than simply run a program or teach a class. We reach out to others beyond our group, giving to them from the vast reservoir poured into us. As we have been blessed “with every spiritual blessing in Christ” (Eph. 1:3), so we bless others. — “Freely you have received; freely give.” (Matt. 10:8)

Are you taking steps to avoid stagnation?

Ways the Holy Spirit Helps Us in Ministry

Posted on October 26, 2022 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — 2 Comments ↓

A previous post established our critical need of the Spirit in ministry. Here we’ll use an acrostic with the word SPIRIT as a means of remembering ways the Holy Spirit helps us in ministry.

An Acrostic of Ways the Holy Spirit Helps Us in Ministry

While much more could be written about the ways the Spirit helps us, the following acrostic provides six roles the Holy Spirit takes showing how He works in and through us. He truly is our Paraclete, the One who lives within us and comes alongside of us with the help we need (Jn. 14:16-17).

S – Spiritual-Gifter: empowers and equips us for ministry

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, … All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines. (1 Cor. 12:7-11)

P – Peace-Maker: develops peace within us so we can be at peace with one another

The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. (Rom 8:6)

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (Rom. 14:17)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace … (Gal. 5:22)

I – Interceder: prays for us when we are weak

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. (Rom. 8:26-27)

R – Revealer: makes known to us the heart and mind of God

But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you. (Jn. 16:13-16)

these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. (1 Cor. 2:10-11)

I – Illuminator: enlightens our hearts so we can understand what God has for us

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. (Eph. 1:17-19)

What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. (1 Cor. 2:12)

T – Teacher: teaches us so we can teach others

But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. (Jn. 14:26)

This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words. (1 Cor. 2:13)

With this kind of Helper, why would we even attempt to do ministry without the power of the Spirit at work within and through us? Let’s turn the reigns over to the Holy Spirit to fill us so we effectively do God’s will with joy and thanksgiving in our hearts (Eph. 5:15-20).

Learn More: Resources About the Holy Spirit

Our Critical Need of the Holy Spirit in Ministry

Posted on October 19, 2022 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

Ministry can get quite difficult and messy at times. It doesn’t always go the way we hope it would. Yet, with the Holy Spirit in ministry, these realities do not have to discourage, disillusion, or overwhelm us.

12 Ministry Realities Showing our Critical Need of the Holy Spirit in Ministry

Contrast the trying situations we might face in ministry with the work of Spirit. Our need for he Holy Spirit is undeniable.

Ministry can be a lonely place sometimes. Because of the Holy Spirit within us, we are never alone. (Jn. 14:16)

Ministry brings us in conflict with a relativistic world. Because of the Holy Spirit, we can have peace knowing that we have faithfully presented God’s Word and it is up to the Spirit of Truth to convince people of it. (Jn. 14:17)

Ministry quickly shows us that we do not have all the answers. Because of the Spirit, we can still step out in confidence, knowing that He will help us, guide us, and teach us. (Jn. 14:26; 16:13)

Ministry often comes with a set of critics, even when we are doing everything right. Because of the Spirit, we can believe that God will still use us as we do what we know HE wants us do to. We can be okay knowing that it is the Spirit’s job to work in their hearts. (Jn. 15:26; Rom. 15:13; Eph. 4:1-4)

Ministry doesn’t always yield immediate results. Because of the Spirit, we don’t have to feel like failures if we are lining up with Him. It is His job to convict people of their need to change. We can be easily fooled by appearances, but the Spirit knows what is in people’s hearts and can meet them there. (Jn. 16:7-8)

Ministry has a learning curve. Because of the Spirit, we have the potential of learning what we need to know. Because of His guidance, God will be glorified. (Jn. 16:13-14)

Ministry opens many unfamiliar doors. Because of the Spirit, we can have power to walk through those doors and show people how the Gospel meets all their needs. (Acts 1:8)

Ministry brings us face to face with issues about which we don’t know what to do or even how to pray. Because of the Spirit, God has us covered. He will pray for us when we can’t. (Rom. 8:26-27)

Ministry can be perplexing. Because of the Spirit, we can receive insight into the heart and mind of God to know how to apply His Word to a given situation. (1 Cor. 2:10-12)

Ministry stands in contrast to the ways of the world. Because of the Spirit, we can stay true to God’s ways, leaving the results to Him. We can come to terms with the fact that not everyone will accept what we do or say because they do not have the Spirit within them. Some will see it as pure foolishness. (1 Cor. 2:13-14)

Ministry can be demanding and can quickly drain us if we aren’t careful. Because of the Spirit, we have a power source outside of ourselves that enables us to persevere under pressure. (Eph. 3:16; 1 Cor. 12:7-11)

Ministry comes with its own set of temptations. Because of the Spirit, we can say no to the flesh and respond in Christ-like ways. (Gal. 5:16-25)

In light of this, are you relying on the Holy Spirit? Are you walking in the Spirit?

The Holy Spirit and My Teaching Devotional

Are you a teacher of God’s Word? The Holy Spirit and Your Teaching Devotional applies truths about the Holy Spirit specifically to teaching.