Dig through the “No’s” to find the “Yes”

Guest blog - Wes Henson, part 2

We’ve all been there: you need another camp sponsor, or another Middle School boys small group leader. But how do you find them?

Years ago I found myself in need of a female camp sponsor. I was serving in a small church in a small community and the task ahead of me was tall. So I set out to find a female camp sponsor. I don’t remember the names of everyone I asked, but I do remember the number: 9.

The ninth lady I asked finally agreed to go to camp as a sponsor. That means I got 8 no’s before I got a yes. But I kept asking. This may feel like a failure, but the lesson was waiting for me.

More recently, over the last six years, I’ve almost tripled the number of adults we have serving in the ministry on a weekly basis with one principle: sometimes you have to dig through the “no’s” to find the “yes”. Put another way, every “no” is a step closer to the person who will say “yes”.

Leadership development does not only pertain to students. Adults need leadership development as well. But a willing adult leader is better than a gifted but unwilling adult leader.

So be willing to dig to find the yes’s, and you’ll be well on your way.

Wes Henson

www.threequestionleadership.com

Cast the Leadership Net – Who do you invite into leadership?

Guest blog - Wes Henson, part 1

When it comes to inviting students and adults into leadership, where do we start?

Years ago I started to invite students to be part of our leadership team. We had a “kickoff” trip followed by a mix of weekly and monthly meetings. I had two girls who showed leadership potential and I invited them to join the team. Initially they resisted but I stuck with the invitation and convinced them to join us.

Fast forward a few months and they had essentially stepped out of our leadership team. I would remind them, but they were resistant. Looking back, I see the mistake I made.

I would rather help someone who is willing to grow than someone who seems naturally gifted to lead but not willing to grow.

I still invite students to join our leadership team, especially ones in whom I see leadership potential, but I have stopped trying to convince them to participate in our leadership program.

Why? Because willingness beats ability.

I would rather have a student who is willing to experiment, grow, struggle, and succeed at leadership because they are hungry to grow, than to have someone we have to drag to keep up with the team.

Our leadership net is wide. We invite everyone to join. Don’t get me wrong, we set the bar for leaders high, and we have a team for them to join, but it’s not exclusive beyond a willingness to contribute and participate.

You never know who is waiting to be invited, either. Which leads me to maybe the greatest lesson I’ve learned in the last 6 years about recruiting adults to help with student ministry. Because leadership development doesn’t only happen in teenagers.

Wes Henson, Student Minister, Trinity Baptist, Kerrville, TX

Student Ministry Leadership

When thinking about Student Ministry leadership there are at least two relevant points of emphasis:

1. Developing leaders.

2. Providing leadership for your Student ministry.

Each of these points hold equal significance.

Look at it this way. Developing leaders is making disciples and providing leadership is serving.

When these two elements are present in your ministry, you have a shared ministry model that promotes growth and membership engagement.

With this model in mind, you are not the only one aware of the vision for the Student Ministry or the only one accountable to the vision.

Your Student Leadership becomes your partner in ministry.

Here is a guide to help think about how your Student Ministry leadership becomes your partner in ministry:

Communicate–use every means possible to communicate with your leadership the purpose of the event. Don’t rely on digital communication alone. Conduct a stand up meeting (huddle) 30 minutes before events to reinforce the purpose of the event, go over specific assignments, and pray.

Observation–pay attention to what is happening in the room. Encourage leadership to be ready to share observations and offer feedback.

Evaluation–meet up again after the event to get quick feedback. You can do deeper evaluation the next day or at your next planning meeting.

These three quick hits will create a pattern of ownership and will be one part of training leadership to becoming a partner in ministry.