Life and Faith

Category: On Leadership

  • The Inadequate Youth Pastor

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    Jon
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    As I stand in the front row of our church, waiting for the song to finish before I get up to preach, my heart is beating faster than usual. My mind is sending up invisible prayers like a professional boxer hitting the speedball. While on the outside I might look calm, inside is nothing of…

  • 10 Tips For Leading Discussion Groups

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    Jon
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    I don’t particularly like leading youth leader meetings where all we do is plan the coming term. To me, there needs to be something of substance in the meeting, something that can help us get better at what we do. At our most recent meeting I collected some thoughts around what makes for facilitating a…

  • 5 Learnings From Being ‘Acting Senior Pastor’

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    Jon
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    Earlier in the year my Senior Pastor went on paternity leave for three weeks. I was technically ‘Acting Senior Pastor’ during that time. There were extra responsibilities. This is what I learned. 1. The amount and variety of decisions required to be made is enormous. This is the main difference between what my role is…

  • The Glue by Mike Stevens

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    Jon
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    Mike Stevens recently self-published a youth ministry book for youth pastors and youth ministry leaders. “The Glue: Relationship As The Connection For Effective Youth Ministry” is a helpful volume in thinking through the practicalities of youth ministry. It is a good addition to the youth ministry literature, and terrific to have another youth ministry resource…

  • Here It Is: Paul Roos, Leadership, And Youth Ministry

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    Jon
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    I recently finished reading the latest book by Paul Roos, “Here It Is: Coaching, Leadership and Life.” Paul Roos is a very successful AFL coach and highly sought after for his man-management and leadership coaching. This year I’ve enjoyed listening to him in the commentary box and was intrigued to read how he approached coaching…

  • Does The Youth Leader Need To Be Magnetic?

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    Jon
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    Is it necessary for a Youth Pastor to have a magnetic personality?  Often I find myself wondering whether all the great Youth Pastor’s are people who have extroverted, outgoing, positive, and magnetic personalities. On one hand it could be argued that a magnetic personality is almost essential as part of the role. Someone who is…

  • Starting Fresh As A Youth Pastor

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    Jon
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    At my denominational gathering of Next Generational Leaders (a fancy name for those in ministry in the children’s, families, youth and young adult demographic) last week I was due to present a few reflections on starting fresh in ministry or a new ministry role. Unfortunately I came down with the flu (or man-flu, it’s a fine…

  • Millennials & Mission Organisations

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    Jon
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    I’m a 1982 baby. Depending on what survey you’d like to agree with I sneak into the Millennial, or Gen Y, generation. My wife and I headed to the Middle East when we were in our early twenties. Spurred on by a call to global missions we spent two years working as missionaries through a…

  • Why Good Leaders Make People Feel Safe

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    Jon
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    An excellent TED Talk by Simon Sinek on Why Good Leaders Make People Feel Safe is well worth watching. It is the same for churches and other non-profit organisations. The leaders are there to sacrifice and serve the people around them and in turn build trust and cooperation.