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Leadership Transition Done the Right Way
Fri, May 17 2013 04:59
| Toronto, Scott Moore, John Wilkinson, Youth Unlimited, YU GTA, Youth For Christ, Paul Hogan
Youth Unlimited Toronto is about to go through a significant leadership transition. I have seen many transitions of leadership and I want you to know that YU Toronto has got this one right.
Cudos to the board of directors for YU Toronto for following God's lead on this transition and handeling it with such grace and love.
Cudos to the board of directors for YU Toronto for following God's lead on this transition and handeling it with such grace and love.
AN EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT FOR YU TORONTO
The Board of Directors of Youth Unlimited (Toronto YFC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Scott Moore as their new Executive Director effective July 1, 2013.
John Wilkinson has served as the Executive Director for the past 13 years. He has done a terrific job in developing our Chapter to its current strength and effectiveness. God has blessed him and his dedicated service and we are most thankful for his faithful commitment to the youth of the Greater Toronto Area.
The timing of this significant transition has been undertaken with a desire to see an effective succession that continues the forward momentum of Youth Unlimited’s staff and volunteer teams, programs and many supporters.
John has accepted a full-time executive role with us reporting to the Board of Directors as Executive Coach and Strategist. In addition to supporting the transition to Scott as the new Executive Director, John will bring his gifts and passions to the coaching and mentoring of key leaders in Youth Unlimited and other organizations.
Scott Moore has been the Area Director for our North York region for the past five years. He has been responsible for effectively guiding a number of staff teams who run programs in that region.
Scott came to YU with an education in Honours Business Administration from the Richard Ivey School of Business at Western (2003) and a Masters of Divinity degree from Tyndale Seminary (2008). He has developed a leadership style that is collaborative, relational and spiritual. During his interviews, Scott shared his guiding principle for decision-making: “If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25). Furthermore, he wrote, “In the end, I hope to be someone who loves God evidently and loves people extravagantly.”
Although change often creates uncertainty in the natural realm, it always produces excitement in the spiritual realm where God, who knows the future, is the decision- maker. The Board is excited about the opportunities that lie ahead for Youth Unlimited under Scott’s leadership.
I thank God for the opportunity of having a well-managed transition with the commitment by all to serve God first in this change. We are most fortunate to have the services of both Scott and John over the next number of years in their new roles.
Your continued support, prayers and involvement in this important work will be cherished and deeply appreciated.
On behalf of Youth Unlimited and its Board of Directors,
Paul Hogan Board Chair
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Why We Do What We Do
Sat, May 11 2013 10:33
| leadership development, relational ministry, leadership, discipleship
I received a CD in the mail this week – the first release from a very talented young lady named Renee Geronimo. I have known Renee for over 10 years now through youth ministry and while we never super-close friends, I have followed her (in a non-stalkerish way) over the past few years on Facebook as she furthered her music career. Thus, I was absolutely thrilled when she messaged me in mid-April offering to send me a copy of her new CD called “lilies and sparrows”.
Upon receiving the CD, I immediately popped it into my computer and listened to it on repeat throughout my work day. It is a wonderful collection of songs, each one with its own unique style and feel. There’s a bit for everyone: some pop, some folk, some soul and some worship. And over-arching the entire CD is the theme of God’s love and power – you can really sense Renee’s love for God and devotion to her faith. Have a listen to the entire CD here.
However, even more touching than the music was the simple hand-written note that Renee included in the package. With her permission, I am posting it below:
Without getting into too much of the back story, the simple version is that Renee served with my good friend Andrea as part of the youth ministry at St. Matthew’s Parish in the early 2000s and Andrea and her team (including Renee) were involved in the planning of Youth Day 2001.
Thus, I was moved to read that that simple invitation was a catalyst in a life-changing summer for Renee – one that reaffirmed her belief in God and her faithfulness to the Catholic Church. Now, a dozen years later, Renee is not only involved in her parish but also following her dream to be a professional musician and music instructor all while giving glory to God through her music.
This is why we do what we do in youth ministry.
This is why we lead. Why we encourage. Why we affirm. Why we challenge. Why we cheerlead. Why we advocate.
This is why we spend time praying for the young people we shepherd. Why we put in hours into planning our parish youth ministry gatherings orarchdiocesan events. Why we get so excited when we see a young person step outside of his comfort zone in the name of the Lord. And why we get so hurt when we see a young person suffer or endure disappointment.
We do this to make a difference.
We do this to make an impact in the lives of young people.
We do this not to lead young people closer to ourselves.
We do this to point young people toward God and to lead them into an encounter with Him so that they may feel his awesome love.
So to everyone involved in youth ministry – whether you’re a parish youth ministry coordinator, core team member, volunteer, parent, teacher, campus minister, chaplain, priest, sister, religious, driver, or overall supporter: thanks for who you are and for all you do.
YOU make a difference.
Clayton Imoo is husband to Gail and father to sons Sean Isaiah and Jacob Isaac and daughter Kayla Marie. He has served as the Director of the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vancouver for the past ten years, helping parishes develop their own youth and young adult ministries. When not doing ministry, Clay enjoys spending time with his family, playing music, playing sports, playing naptime, and writing blogs on topics such as family, faith, and the Vancouver Canucks. Learn more about him at http://www.claytonimoo.com or follow him @claytonimoo
Inner City Experience for Students
Fri, Apr 26 2013 06:55
| Toronto, inner city, Jeff Smyth, inner-city missions trip, remix, Calvin Russell, DOXA Toronto
How are you teaching or modelling a lifestyle of mission for your youth? There are a lot of
So what sets REMIX apart?,
REMIX is a week-long mission experience that is uniquely designed to provide an in-depth theological foundation for living on mission. The afternoon experiences in Toronto and the evening gatherings complement the training and equipping that takes place by qualified and experienced trainers every morning. REMIX is a proven missionary experience that has equipped and trained thousands of young people and youth groups over the last 20+ years! We provide a healthy balance of teaching and training with hands-on serving and sharing experiences. REMIX has always been deeply committed to the priorities of Jesus by inspiring young people to 'centre their lives within the mission and message of Jesus'.
We would love for you to be a part of REMIX 2013. Check out all the details at www.torontoremix.com
Any questions? Drop me an email calvin@youthunlimitedgta.com
Calvin Russell is the DOXA Director: With over 25 years of youth ministry experience (as a Pastor, YU worker and director of a youth program), Calvin brings experience and passion to his role as Doxa Director. He continues to give leadership to the overall ministry of DOXA and to growing team. He is deeply committed to seeing youth attain their full life potential and equipping youth leaders with the necessary tools to create healthy and vibrant youth ministries.
Relational Ministry 101
Wed, Apr 24 2013 08:00
| souls, humility, relational ministry, evangelization
Here are a few important things to remember when it comes to doing good relational ministry with young people:
- Youth cannot be evangelized without a relationship
- Focus on people, not programs
- Be interested in souls, not attendance
- There isn't one correct relational style: God wants you to use the personality that he has given you to reach out to young people
- The heart of relational ministry doesn't change, but opportunity and location do
And most importantly: young people won't care how much we know until they know how much we care.
Clayton Imoo is husband to Gail and father to sons Sean Isaiah and Jacob Isaac and daughter Kayla Marie. He has served as the Director of the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vancouver for the past ten years, helping parishes develop their own youth and young adult ministries. When not doing ministry, Clay enjoys spending time with his family, playing music, playing sports, playing naptime, and writing blogs on topics such as family, faith, and the Vancouver Canucks. Learn more about him at http://www.claytonimoo.com or follow him @claytonimoo
Volunteers 2.0
Fri, Apr 19 2013 05:30
| volunteer, lone ranger, volunteers, Think Youth Ministry, Jeff Smyth
The Art of the Volunteers Process
As a I mentioned in my blog about Developing Volunteers I have struggled in the past of being a lone ranger even when I have a great volunteer team. I've come to figure that they probably tolerated me because they loved doing youth ministry so much.
The volunteer process is an art form and it is up to you to make this a beautiful piece of art or a an ugly one. Once your volunteers have committed to the youth ministry and you have done your do-diligence with the paperwork, checking references, vulnerable sector police check has been collected and your interviews have been finalized. You volunteers are now placed in the right roles but then what do you do with them? How many times should you meet together during the year? What should you talk about when you get together. Should your volunteer gatherings be formal or informal?
Training is an important part of building a confident, competent, and committed team. But don't make the mistake of assuming that a well trained team is automatically a good team. Our advice? Focus on building chemistry more than on training skills. The 9 Best Practices for Youth Ministry by Kurt Johnston & Tim Levert
A youth ministry cohort I lead, we have been going through the above book and the following points about volunteers really stuck out to our cohort from the chapter entitled Developing Volunteer Leaders.
Youth Ministry Overview: you need to clearly and regularly communicate with your volunteers the ministry programs, goals, vision, values and direction. This will keep your youth workers invested in the youth ministry by knowing these details. Your volunteers have expectations for you and you must balance that when you are communicating an over view of the ministry you are also showing them your expectations for them.
Youth Culture Understanding: Regularly send out links to great websites to your volunteer team to some great sites. Some websites and speakers I would recommend are; Center for Parent/Youth Understanding by Walt Mueller, Digital Kids Initiative by cpyu.org, PluggedIn by Focus on the Family, (our cohort adapted this).
Counseling Students: Help your adults filter through what is and is not appropriate to counsel.
Putting Yourself in Their Shoes: Work your leaders through an exercise that takes them back in time to their own teenage years. As teenagers, what were their struggles, fears, hopes, parental issues, and other big issues?
Preparing a Bible study: Often the things we take for granted are the things most needed by our volunteer team. I (Jeff) have struggles with this for years. I would have conversations with volunteers and when they explained a struggle they were having I would think in my head, "REALLY!?! That is basic youth ministry knowledge and practice." I found this thought occurring in my head many times before I started to help my volunteers. They were telling me some important things, I just wasn't listening.
Social Networking with Students: The single most powerful thing an adult can give students is their presence - at sporting events, recitals, concerts, family gatherings, and so on - but social networking allows them unprecedented connection points with students that should be utilized. Jeff: But be careful is you are a jr, high volunteer because social networking could be uncomfortable for parents and organizations.
Jeff Smyth is a youth worker who has been involved in both the local church and non-profit areas of Canada for more than 15 years. Jeff lives in Toronto with his wife Heather and son Nathan.
Jeff online: ThinkYouthMinistry.com, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Google+
Leading Up - Self-Differentiation
Thu, Apr 18 2013 07:00
| Leading Up, leadership
The best book on leadership I've read in the past five years is Edwin Friedman's A Failure of Nerve: Leadership in the Age of the Quick Fix. The biggest concept I learned from Friedman is the concept of self-differentiation. Friedman describes differentiation as "the capacity to be one's own integrated aggregate-of-cells person while still belonging to, or being able to relate to, a larger colony."
Check out this 6-minute video about self-differentiation before reading further.
So why does self-differentiation matter in youth ministry and church leadership?
Because we're part of the Body of Christ.
We're cells in the body, using our unique gifts and strengths in order to grow and thrive as we realize our innate identity in Christ. There are also plenty of "viruses" and "emotional triangles" in the local church. Self-differentiated leaders can withstand the anxiety and dysfunction of these viruses and emotional triangles, choosing to love and offer patience and grace. By simply being a patient and gracious person, this begins the slow process of moving from a culture of fear and anxiety to truth and love.
It's learning to love our neighbour as we love ourselves. If we don't view and love ourselves just as Christ views and loves us, we are incapable of leading and loving others in His name.
It's leadership from who you are, not by what you do. Embrace your identity as Christ's beloved.
Joel Mayward is a pastor, writer, husband, and father living in Langley, British Columbia. He is the author of Leading Up: Finding Influence in the Church Beyond Role and Experience. Joel loves youth ministry, movies, the church, and theology, and he writes about all of it at his blog.
Going Slow with Dr. Low
Sat, Apr 13 2013 09:33
Slow Down and Adjust Your Vehicle
Every time I get into the car my wife drives more often than I do the first thing I have to do is adjust the seat. It's a small Honda Civic so I usually bump my head and knees if I'm not thinking about it and don't adjust the seat before getting in. Once I sit down I then adjust the mirrors and then comes one of the most important adjustments - changing the radio from country music to my favorite news station.
As I was making these adjustments this morning I thought back to my driver's education (almost 30 years ago!) and how the instructor told us to never drive away until we have made all these proper adjustments including the steering wheel and other things. In fact, before even stepping into the car we're all supposed to walk around the car checking for tires, lights and obstacles - how many of us actually do that every time we drive away? This involves slowing down and taking time to walk around our cars before just speeding off - most of us are not that patient or conscientious - we're too busy and in a hurry.
It's not only uncomfortable driving in a car that's not set up properly for your size and style but it can be dangerous too. And who wants to drive around with the steering wheel practically touching your chin, your knees scrunched into your belly and listening to music you can't stand while you can hardly touch the break pedal or see the mirrors?
While most of us would not settle for a driving situation like this, many people settle for a faith like this. Sometimes well-meaning churches and Christian programs present Christianity in a one-size-fits-all approach. We're told to think, act, pray, sing, serve, tithe and even dress in a certain way in many churches, traditions and families. While many of these things presented to us are good and right, some things don't quite fit us. Like me getting into my wife's car, we find ourselves squeezing ourselves into an expression of Christianity that doesn't quite fit. We try and try and try some more but it just doesn't work. How can we flourish in our Christian walk when we're in an uncomfortable seat listening to uncomfortable music and can't even see God through the windshield or the rear view mirror?
This is one thing I do in this ministry; help people modify the Christian faith they've been presented with (sometimes for years or decades) so that it suits them better and lines up with their particular way of being. Spiritual temperament, personality, learning style, spiritual gifts and so on affect how a person experiences God and how a person worships God and serves God - we don't all do this the same.
I never present this to people in a selfish, individualistic way. I am not a fan of selfishness at all; being a part of Christ's body involves humility, compromise and servanthood; it's not one-size-fits all but it's not about selfishly creating our own individual kingdoms either. But to come alive in the Body and live abundantly and free in the Kingdom we need to embrace a real and personal faith rather than just going along with the crowd - group-think sucks life out of people - we need God to breathe life into us so people see the passion flowing out of us rather than just the status-quo.
Most things needed for regular car health & maintenance are small, simple adjustments but sometimes cars need serious repairs which cost us time and money and involve asking someone for help. This can be true for our spiritual growth too. Sometimes people are in need of a more radical change and need to switch cars altogether. Different cars suit different people for various reasons and we should be open to the diversity in God's children - it's quite beautiful. It's more important what direction the car is going that what type of car it is. It's more important that the car is in good working order than it looks a certain way and painted a certain color.
So slow down and take some time to adjust your seat and mirrors and drive towards God's Kingdom. The Way might be narrow but we still need to walk (or drive) down that path with authenticity and intentionality. Christianity is a personal faith with a personal God therefor doesn't it make sense to personalize it?
CYW does not necessarily endorse the views shared on this forum. This site was developed to allow people to think through a variety of issues that are youth ministry related.
