One of the things my wife and I learned in our pre-marital counseling was that we are supposed to support one another in marriage. While we will not fulfill one another, as that is up to God, we can balance each other. For example, I have gifts that she doesn’t have, and visa versa. Together, we make a great team!
Sure, there are things Yvette and I have in common, but there are many ways we compliment each other. For instance, she is a much better encourager than I am. She is the one who makes me look better when it comes to thanking people and speaking heartening words beyond the “Good job!” that I usually say.
I also have a great team of youth leaders at our church. Many of them have gifts, talents, abilities, connections, personalities, interests, and experiences that are different than mine. Together, we balance each other, but we are also able to reach more students.
Tonight, after our middle school program, I was talking with one of my leaders, and I realized this again. He has a certain spiritual gift that I lack, and his insight helped me understand a situation so much better than I was understanding on my own. Similarly, he’s a great teacher, and he’s filling in for me while I’m out of town next week. We benefit from working together!
There is definitely a strength in numbers. Ecclesiastes 4:12 states, “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” God wants us to serve together on the same team.
I know it’s sometimes difficult for youth ministers in small churches to find people, but let me reassure you that it is worth all the effort you put into it! Even if your team ends up being just you and one or two others, it can make a world of a difference! You will benefit from it!
I write this simple blog post today for two reasons:
First, God has been revealing to me how great my current team is. And I am incredibly grateful for their willingness to serve and their dedication to God, these students, and to me!
Second, I know there are many youth ministers who are trying to do it alone. They are running on fumes half the time, and they cannot do everything. This doesn’t have to be the case!
If you don’t have a team around you, do yourself a favor and put that at the top of your priority list moving forward.
Steve Cullum 