We are bold because we are not alone!

If you are a bit of a Marvel geek, or indeed loved the film Avengers: Endgame, then you will know the significance of the phrase ‘on your left’! Towards the end of the film (spoiler alert) the Avengers seem to be beaten and it looks like it is the end for Thor, Ironman and Captain America (for the non-marvel geeks these are three of the key characters in the story!!) The phrase ‘on your left’ began many movies before this and was said by Captain America to his friend Sam (who would become Falcon) as he ran past him, several times! Even then it cemented the friendship between these two and there was a sense their paths would always be linked and there would be an unbreakable bond between them. So on what appeared to be Captain America’s darkest day, to hear the phrase ‘on your left’ over a broken radio transmission meant it was not over, it meant Cap was not alone, it meant that help was coming and the upcoming battle had now shifted in their favour. For Marvel geeks, or even film lovers, it was a ‘hairs on the back of the head’ moment as a whole tribe of allies appeared beside the beleaguered Cap, and cinematic history was created.

I say this to you not because I am a Marvel geek (well maybe a little), but because I am 100% a believer in ‘the tribe’ – a group of people willing to build unity, stand by one another, collaborate, share, hold up and enter the ministry arena willing to fight for the other. I talk about ‘the tribe’ a lot because not only have I seen it work but I am also aware I would not still be in ministry were it not for the tribe that has stood with me in the past and still stands with me now. So it makes sense to me that ‘the tribe’ needs to be central to what I believe youth ministry, or any ministry for that matter, is about. The sooner we lay down our need to build an empire and go it alone, instead choosing to invest in the wider body, the more fruit we will see, in all our ministries. I have realised how much I grow, and how my ministry grows, when I spend time with others who love Jesus and love youthwork. I never want to think ‘I have it all sorted and don’t need anyone’, I want to learn from anyone I spend time with, hoping also that they have been blessed by time with me.

Acts 18:9-10 – “One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: ‘Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no-one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.’

These words “I have many people in this city” have really impacted me this week. Paul is ‘under attack’ in his ministry and seeks God, then during his time of prayer God speaks to him and reveals this truth; he is not alone, even if he feels like it. It is like God is saying out loud ‘on your left’, that people will surround him and stand with him. We don’t know what exactly happened but Paul was able to stay for 18 months boldly speaking about Jesus – surely this could have only happened if ‘the tribe’ had stood by and come to his aid when attack and opposition happened.

Paul kept speaking and was bold because he knew he was not alone. We should be bold because we are not alone. There maybe be someone close by to you in ministry who you need to say ‘on your left’ to, someone will need to know they are not alone. When they realise ‘others are in the city’ it can enthuse and grow ministry, we know the illustration of an cooled ember being placed back in the fire and coming back to vibrant fiery life again. This is what we can do for one another. If you need to be ignited seek it out in a tribe, if you are on fire go be the tribe and ignite others.

‘The St Albans Youthwork Collective’ began in earnest this week and it is our attempt to take the idea of ‘the tribe’ and allow it to grow fruit in all our individual ministries while at the same time encouraging us to work together on an area-wide ministry that can only be achieved through our collaboration. We are deeply aware of the favour and fruit that exists in youth ministry across St Albans, and has been established over many years. For me this moment is significant because we are taking a bunch of churches and a few youth organisations and coming together to ask “what can we do to grow youth ministry, disciple followers of Jesus, inspire and encourage the church and also, importantly, reach lost young people?”

We aren’t quite sure what this will look like yet but yesterday when we met there was an overwhelming sense of unity and ‘tribe’, which to me is already a sign of fruit and success.

The unity of Christendom is not a luxury, but a necessity. The world will go limping until Christ’s prayer that all may be one is answered. We must have unity, not at all costs, but at all risks. A unified Church is the only offering we dare present to the coming Christ, for in it alone will He find room to dwell.

Charles Brent

I wish someone would have told me…

They say hindsight is a wonderful thing, and it’s true, there are a bunch of things I wish someone would have told me about. Here are few things from my long list of ‘what I wish I knew sooner’ – Pringles are ridiculously addictive, boys are like puppies and need lots of movement and exercise, “resealable” packets are generally not and ‘UP’ is not a date night film. But my greatest moment of learning came from attempting an overhead bicycle kick on a beach volleyball court at the age of 49 to impress young people and discovering it is neither wise, appropriate or pain-free!

I’m always curious what each of us would say to ourselves if we could have a conversation back at the beginning of our ministry but with all the wisdom we now possess from years of success, failure, discovery and learning. Basically what I am saying is “what would you have liked to have known at the start of your ministry that you now know?”

I stumbled across a long list of these ‘ministry insights’ from an American youthworker network. I noticed some recurring themes amongst them and wanted to share what I believe to be the three most significant insights from the list…

Out of the 47 ‘insights’ on the list by far the most popular theme was self care, prioritising rest and boundaries. This is one of those bits of wisdom that we all know is important but for some reason we don’t seem to keep it high on our agenda when it comes to planning our week. Leaders were saying deep truths like “guard yourself and your team against burnout”, “make time for Jesus” and “prioritise rest” but why do we not ensure these essential rhythms stay part of every working week. If I may suggest a couple of reasons, firstly, is it we don’t have a leader or line manager who is modelling these rhythms themselves. I’ve talked to so many leaders who see others working over and above hours and think they need to keep up or compete, and yes that is as crazy as it sounds. Secondly I think we can sometimes feel the job is solely our responsibility, we take the church, volunteers, even God out of the equation and carry the whole ministry on our shoulders. One individual wrote this on the list: “the ministry belongs to Him, hold it loosely so He can move. Do it for His glory not yours. He sees yours heart so don’t worry about man.”

The ministry was never ours to carry and each of us should spend time building team, daily giving the ministry to God, partnering with people so we can ‘carry one another’s burdens’ (Galatians 6:2) and ensuring the whole church is behind what we are doing.

Maybe you need to hear this truth; you are more important to God than your ministry! There is absolutely no point sacrificing your mental and physical health so that your church can feel like they have been able to justify employing you. You are enough and you need to allow this truth to shape your self care, your diary and your ambitions.

The 2nd most popular theme on the list is slightly linked to the first; build team, empower others, invest in volunteers! Now I know finding quality volunteers is like trying to find fluorescent flying unicorns but we need to keep trying. There is no ‘silver bullet’ to getting volunteers but I have found that rather than going after individuals we should spend time sharing an exciting, ambitious and adventurous vision for your ministry. I love this quote: “If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up the men and women to gather wood, divide the work, and give orders. Instead, teach them to yearn for the vast and endless sea.”

This quote makes sense to me, people give themselves to vision, to an idea, to a possibility. Asking people to do ‘a job’ just doesn’t do justice to the deeply significant, life-changing ministry that youthwork is. Take time to craft a vision that will draw people in, that will excite people, that will allow people to see beyond the weekly gatherings. Tell a story about the difference we can make in the lives of young people and vividly imagine what that might look like, then people will come to you!

The final theme I want to talk about wasn’t spoken about much on the list but I believe its truth has a huge impact on youth ministry and youth leaders.

This powerful statement was written on the list: “at some point you’ll feel like a fraud… like you’re not enough for your people – you’re not, but God knew that when he called you. Lean in and keep seeking more of him. He is enough and will give you exactly what you need to show up and be faithful.”

I cannot tell you the amount of times this thought comes into my head: “what if I get found out that I am making this up as I go along!!” Humility is a good thing, to feel like we need some help, that we can always learn from others, that it isn’t all about us. But self doubt becomes damaging when we constantly compare ourselves to Instagram-styled youthwork and youth leaders thinking our ministry will never be as good or as fruitful. I say this as a 51 year old youth leader with no qualifications but an outrageously varied and joyful 30 year adventure with God where I have been continually shaped and pruned. If God calls you, you are enough. Pray often. Follow Jesus. Serve people. Love generously. Seek the Father.

If you are in your first two years of ministry can I encourage you to take on board these offers of wisdom. If you have been in ministry for a while, invest in someone who is just beginning and help them avoid some of the traps you may have fallen into. Hindsight is a wonderful thing but only if we learn from it!