Redirect Muscle Memory for Effective Ministry
Youth Ministers are among the most creative people on the planet. Every week there is something new. The grind of creativity is barely noticeable because it is so routine. It’s muscle memory. Following a rhythm for life and ministry make the challenge of creativity easier.
We depend on routines, resources, and relationships to bring out the best in programming every week. During recent months we have had to redirect this process hoping for the same results. It is difficult. Challenging. But we are figuring it out.
As you work through the grind consider these steps for the long haul. Here’s to better planning and better health!
Be a lifelong learner. Yes, Captain Obvious. Student ministers may be the best at developing this mindset, (I am biased) but we often typecast ourselves as learners when in reality we are just stuck in previous creativity patterns.
The current pandemic has exposed this a bit. Learning new processes and procedures will create forward equity that makes us better as things start to look more normal, if that’s a thing anymore.
Develop professional relationships in areas of curiosity. Now is your chance to experiment outside your comfort zone and learn something new. No doubt that Youth Ministers have a wide skill set when it comes to their work. Many have been called on by their church staff during this season to help with live stream and the like.
Feed your curiosity during this unique time. It may set you up to win for the next pandemic.
Opposites attract so if all your professional relationships and friendships are just like you, then how are you challenged? Seeking out others who are different from you will keep you from getting in lifeless routines. Opposites will help you view things differently, but you have to see these relationships. This won’t happen naturally or without some occasional tension. Try it. The payoff is worth it.
Become an expert. No one in your church should know more about your ministry than you. This is a part of your lifelong commitment to learning. Train others by constantly feeding them what you are learning. This can be one on one, sharing content, or attending training events together.
Follow up as you train. Seek every opportunity to debrief training content with those that you are leading.
Create an intentional pathway for professional growth. If you haven’t considered a personal growth plan, then the above steps will only get you started.
Attending conferences and developing relationships with others who have discovered that pathway is one of the best ways to experience growth.
One of the ways we have encouraged this kind of growth is through our horizoNEXT experience. It is a table group experience of only 12 people who bring create their own agenda of topics and with the help of a facilitator dive into each one. This synergy is intense and a positive way to redirect your muscle memory.
For more information and to register for horizoNEXT, which is available in 3 different locations, head over to the horizoNEXT page.