{"id":36598,"date":"2023-08-22T08:30:21","date_gmt":"2023-08-22T12:30:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thinkorange.com\/blog\/the-young-adults-guide-to-leading-a-ministry-and-yourself\/"},"modified":"2023-08-22T08:30:21","modified_gmt":"2023-08-22T12:30:21","slug":"the-young-adults-guide-to-leading-a-ministry-and-yourself","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thinkorange.com\/blog\/the-young-adults-guide-to-leading-a-ministry-and-yourself\/","title":{"rendered":"The Young Adult\u2019s Guide to Leading a Ministry (and Yourself)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Vocational ministry is weird. Vocational ministry in next-gen is extra weird.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s weird when . . .
\n<\/span>Your shopping list often includes pool noodles or goldfish
\nGoing to students\u2019 sporting events or band concerts is part of your job
\nYou may be free at 2:00 PM on a Tuesday but can\u2019t go on a random weekend trip with your friends.<\/p>\n

All of the oddities and complexities of your jobs are worth it because we get to influence the faith of the next generation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But life can feel extra weird if you are a next-gen leader AND a young adult. That\u2019s because being a young adult is weird.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Being in your early to mid-twenties is like being in your toddler years again. Everything is new, and it can be difficult to find your footing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

You simultaneously . . .\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Want to scream to the world, \u201cI CAN DO IT.\u201d
\n<\/span>AND call your mom because you feel like you definitely can\u2019t do it.
\n(Especially when you are filling out a form or making a doctor\u2019s appointment)<\/p>\n

Are told by everyone that young adults are know-it-alls
\n<\/span>And most days, you feel like you know nothing.<\/p>\n

You often feel uncomfortable being THE adult in the room
\n<\/span>AND feel frustrated when people don\u2019t treat you like an adult.<\/p>\n

(At least these things were true for me.)<\/span><\/p>\n

And, the weirdness of being in ministry and being a young adult can make you feel, at worst, alone and, at best, just slightly disoriented.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

So, what are some things you can do to make both leading a ministry and leading yourself easier?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Truthfully, I (Lauren) am no expert at being a ministry leader or even at being an adult. At the same time, even though I still volunteer in next-gen ministry, it is no longer my career. However, these few practices are things I either did while I was in vocational ministry that were helpful or things I wish I did that could have made me a more effective leader.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Find a mentor (or multiple).\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Chances are, this is not unfamiliar advice, and you don\u2019t need to be convinced of the importance of mentorship. After all, you spend most of your time recruiting and training volunteers so kids and teenagers can be connected to caring adults. But, when it is time to find your own mentor, it can feel overwhelming. Finding multiple mentors may feel even more daunting. However, having multiple mentors can be helpful because they can serve different purposes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n