Smitty Wheeler
Over the last 25-years, Smitty has worked with middle school through college age students as a mentor, coach, and volunteer youth leader. He and his wife live outside of Nashville, TN near their 4 children and first grandchild. Smitty works as a business consultant specializing in business turnarounds, is the Chief of Operations of Student Ministry Partners and an Advisory Board member for The Journal of Student Ministries. .
Don't Forget the Little Things
- By Smitty Wheeler
- Published 01/1/2010
As any woman over the age of thirty can tell you, guys like to fix things. It's what we do. Or, at least what we'd like to think we do. More than once, my "fixing things" has resulted in a quick call to the repairman that my wife suggested we contact in the first place. But, I digress.
Part of the idea of fixing things, or running things efficiently, is to break our projects and goals down in to an easy to follow procedure. Heck, it's as American as apple pie: Make a list of the correct steps to complete the job and then follow it to the letter. Unfortunately, we all learned early on that ministry (especially youth ministry) will never follow a specific point-by-point plan. Especially if it's OUR plan and not GOD's plan. So, in an effort to keep things on track, here are a few basics that, you already know but, are really important to help each day follow God's plan in our lives and our ministry:
1. Read Your Bible - Every Day! Strange as it is to say, I know many youth leaders who have a hard time working that little Bible reading thing into their busy schedules. Hmmm... exactly who are we working for again?
2. Encourage Everyone - Your students, your pastor, your parents and your church staff. A momentary slow down as you walk past some one in the hall and a few kind words can change someone's day.
3. Be on Time - A hard thing for many youth leaders it seems, but it shows respect for yourself, your kids and the adults who's support you desperately need.
4. Don't Drop the Ball! - Pay attention to details and write everything down. If you're not organized, why would you ever expect your volunteers or kids to be organized?
5. Care About People - That means everyone. As hard as that can be, it's what Jesus did...'nuff said.
6. Remember the Big Picture - Don't just focus on your area. Think through how your actions, activities and plans can/may impact your church and your reputation in the community.
7. Work as a Team - Teams always yield greater knowledge, creativity and success.
As I said, these are all things we each know to do. But, we're human and we sometime just forget to do the little things.
Part of the idea of fixing things, or running things efficiently, is to break our projects and goals down in to an easy to follow procedure. Heck, it's as American as apple pie: Make a list of the correct steps to complete the job and then follow it to the letter. Unfortunately, we all learned early on that ministry (especially youth ministry) will never follow a specific point-by-point plan. Especially if it's OUR plan and not GOD's plan. So, in an effort to keep things on track, here are a few basics that, you already know but, are really important to help each day follow God's plan in our lives and our ministry:
1. Read Your Bible - Every Day! Strange as it is to say, I know many youth leaders who have a hard time working that little Bible reading thing into their busy schedules. Hmmm... exactly who are we working for again?
2. Encourage Everyone - Your students, your pastor, your parents and your church staff. A momentary slow down as you walk past some one in the hall and a few kind words can change someone's day.
3. Be on Time - A hard thing for many youth leaders it seems, but it shows respect for yourself, your kids and the adults who's support you desperately need.
4. Don't Drop the Ball! - Pay attention to details and write everything down. If you're not organized, why would you ever expect your volunteers or kids to be organized?
5. Care About People - That means everyone. As hard as that can be, it's what Jesus did...'nuff said.
6. Remember the Big Picture - Don't just focus on your area. Think through how your actions, activities and plans can/may impact your church and your reputation in the community.
7. Work as a Team - Teams always yield greater knowledge, creativity and success.
As I said, these are all things we each know to do. But, we're human and we sometime just forget to do the little things.
