A Coach's Leadership Tree - The True Measure of Greatness

I recently read that Tony Dungy (Coach) and Derrick Brooks (Player) were named as finalists to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Tony Dungy is a brother in the Lord and was an outstanding coach. He was soft-spoken yet determined, a true player's coach, and a Super Bowl winning coach. (He should have won an additional Super Bowl championship with the team that he had built earlier in his career, the Tampa Bay Bucaneers too, just saying). Derrick Brooks, was one of the best linebackers at his position for a decade who had no weaknesses and was a team captain on that Tampa Bay Super Bowl winning defense.

Tony Dungy had a special relationship with Derrick Brooks and the other defensive team captain Warren Sapp. He would personally write a letter to both before the season explaining his admiration for them as players, but also his expectations of what their leadership would look like during the course of the season. Tony's leadership was infused into his players. Not only was his leadership infused into his players, but there are a number of coaches that coached under Tony that went on to be head coaches in the NFL. One of those coaches is the current Steelers coach Mike Tomlin.

Good leaders develop a tree of talent. From the base of their leadership their influence branches out. Good leaders reproduce themselves. They are not afraid to lose leaders that they have developed, instead they are secure knowing that while some under them will transition that other young leaders will want to be a part of their team. Good leaders understand that while those under them may eventually leave for a 'promotion' that it's simply an added extension of the leader's ministry. It's not subtraction of developed staff, it's multiplication!

It's fun to look back on some of the past students/relationships of individuals who are now in or are pursuing full-time ministry that I had the privilege of developing/pushing.

Here is a short list of people, (my coaching tree) who are pursuing full-time ministry, that I've had the privilege of coaching:
1. Andrew Tilley (High-School) - Degree in Youth Ministry serving in his local church
2. Zach McCue - Working on his Master's and a Senior Pastor of a church in Columbia City
3. Logan Conley - A Youth Director and leader at Urban Hope Ministries in Philadelphia, PA
4. Shawn Mason - Interim Pastor at First Christian Church
5. Josh Leonhardt - Future OB leader and Youth Ministry Major
6. Andrea Farren - Attends Grace College and is focusing on Youth Ministry/Youth Counseling
7. Quinton Howell - Attends Grace College and is Majoring in Biblical Studies
8. Tristan Spuller - High-School student soon to be Youth Ministry Major
9. Charlie Hirschy - Part-time Youth Director and student at the church where I interned during college
10. Cassie Gram - Will be attending Grace College to focus on Youth Ministry

Let it be known that there are a plethora of other students who are not pursuing full-time ministry that I have had the privilege of mentoring and who are doing significant and powerful kingdom advancement work! You don't have to be in full-time ministry to have a large kingdom impact!

Let it ALSO be known that I can't wait to develop and push the teenagers at my current church to live to their redemptive potential! The process of multiplication never stops!

2 Timothy 2:2 "And the things you heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others."

One of the biggest compliments a person can pay you is that they would LOVE to work UNDER YOU!

Ever person should be discipling and mentoring someone else. Are you? Do you have a coaching tree?

Start with one person and meet regularly...it's that simple.

Logan and Andrea presenting me with an 'Equipping' Award. Honestly, the plaque means little compared with the two changed persons next to me.

 

I grew up in a small youth ministry in South Central Pa. That youth ministry has produced two youth pastors, a youth pastor's wife, and a worship pastor! Effective fruit.

 

A picture of lifetime friend Jared and his wife. Great to see that Jared is working under my father and is part of his "coaching tree".

Relationships + Over Time = Effectiveness

I was reminded again of the importance of relationships with teenagers this past Wednesday. I can not say it enough....ministry is ALL about RELATIONSHIPS! Teenagers will not follow, listen, or care if you are not intentionally trying to build a relationship with them. In fact, who would!?!

I had the opportunity to lead and sit in with the Senior Guys group this past Wednesday. The people that had made the biggest impact in their lives were men who had spent time over years investing into them. This was good for them to say and reassuring to me as I want to be intentional about building into them and other Axis students.

Here are some aspects about working with teenagers that I love concerning relationships and effectiveness.
1. Teenagers DO NOT need another sermon! What they do need is someone to walk through life with them. (Teenagers are smarter and more educated than you think. What they really need to know is that you care and will be there to help them!) A vibrant teaching ministry is critical to a youth ministry but relationships are more important than how charismatic or incredible each message is!
2. Teenagers can spot a FAKE a MILE away! They know who cares for them and who doesn't.
3. Adults are the GLUE to any youth ministry! It is impossible for me to build relationally into 200 teenagers, but my youth staff and small group leaders can! The glue to what holds any youth ministry is the youth staff, hands down!
4. Be INTENTIONAL with your relationship building! I intentionally block time out of my schedule to visit students at lunch, during sporting events, and before and after church.
5. Students don't know QUALITY time they just know TIME! Young people are so adulterated with stuff and are busy that most simply want to just 'hang out' with no agenda. There are times when it's great just to 'hang out' with teenagers.

Longevity is paramount in building up trust with teenagers. The more you are around them the more they will trust you!

As I look back on my past years of ministry I always come back to this fact. Once a student of mine, always dear to my heart! It is all about relationships!

My first retreat with my Goshen gang! You only get to know people when you LIVE with them!

Here is a picture of many former students/youth staff at the church I interned at while as a Lancaster Bible College student. I still keep in touch with these people to this day!

Who could forget the 'Dynamite' performance at our Sub-Zero Retreat with Matt and Clint a few years ago! Good practicing and performance memories!

 

Jim Brown may or may not have 'swatted' me. Here's to a dunk in his face next time.

Really enjoying getting to know and be a part of this tight-knit group of Jesus freaks!

 

Purpose of Retreats - Kalahari Recap

For those of you who are reading this and who live in the Midwest make sure you stay warm over the course of the next couple of days. I shoveled out the walk-way to my driveway and even though I had two pairs of gloves on my fingers they still got numb. They are calling for it to reach -15 degrees tonight with -35 to -40 wind chills!

Kalahari Recap/Value of Retreats

 

There is no coincidence that I JUST returned from a RETREAT and I will also be teaching a one-time session this Thursday for Grace College's youth ministry class on "Strategizing." My topic is Youth Retreat Effectiveness. Just returning from a retreat helped me today to flesh out the purpose and goals of retreat planning.

 

Here is what I enjoyed the most about the Kalahari Retreat:



1. I did not have to do the PLANNING! It was nice to leave that to someone else for once ;)

2. The valuable time connecting with our teenagers and staff. I got everyone's name nailed down. You don't truly get to know people unless you LIVE with them.

3. The commitments and decisions made by our students. I love the convicting and powerful work of the Holy Spirit and watching God work on a massive level is always awe-inspiring.

4. Reconnecting with my former students and staff of the Underground Movement in Kendallville.

5. Leading others.
6. Touching base and talking with other youth staff and pastors who have valuable insights.
7. Getting ideas from a programming element that I may be able to use within my own youth ministry.
8. Spending time in a HUGE indoor water park.
9. One on One conversations with guys in our youth group challenging them to 'step up their game' within our youth ministry.
10. Just making it back before a massive winter storm that allowed me a day of recuperation.

 

Youth Retreats are so Valuable within a Youth Ministry here are some additional reasons why:

1. Retreats are the end product of the visions and goals that you have cast to your teenagers and youth staff months prior! I always give my students numeric goals into how many people we want at a specific event. This gives them an evangelistic heart to reach out to their friends! Plus, I give goals that I want to see happen during the retreat and it keeps us 'on mission' to reach others!

2. Retreats allow opportunities to celebrate the accomplishment of reaching your goals! I enjoyed celebrating with students that made decisions. We will celebrate and have testimonies this Wednesday of what God did in working in people's lives at our next youth group session.

3. Retreats allow for extensive and vital ministry to be done corporately. Think about it, you get to spend an entire week pushing with and challenging your students AND you get to be a part of a conference that is bigger than yourself. This gives the students a vision of what could be at home and a sense of purpose in the mission of the global church.

 

 

Yes, Christian loves me - Daniel Cosentino! ;)

 

 

If your late you have to sit in the back row!





Transitions Can MAKE or BREAK You - Happy 2014 to YOU

Transitions in life are important and critical.

In fact, how well you transition can MAKE or BREAK your effectiveness as a human being.

For example, psychologist Erik Erickson coined the term "identity crisis" and was influential in the study of human development. If an individual did not properly transition into their natural next developmental stage they would remain 'stuck' in that psychological developmental stage. They would be stunted or retarded developmentally and without psychological help could not progress and mature.

In the Bible, during the Exodus and the book of Acts God made it clear countless times through his disciplinary intervention and revealed will that during that transition period for the people of God the stakes were high and it was important that people transitioned and followed His will wholeheartedly.

 

As I look back on the 2014 year it is clear that it was a HUGE transitional year for me.

Here are just a few of the major transitions:

- Married in November...and BETTER for it!
- New job position at Grace Community Church in August
- Moved to a new home and town in August
- Having people and traditions be "new" and "fresh"
- Started a Blog (maybe not major but it was a significant 'marker')

As always, none of these transitions were easy, (except for the Blog). God though, was gracious and faithful through it all. I saw how God has worked throughout other transitional times in my life and through the uncertainty there is now an eager anticipation for what lies ahead! I just need to keep reminding myself that everything takes TIME, but when you are following Christ everything in life is WORTH IT!

I do not know what lies ahead for you this New Year. It may be a year of great transition and difficulty. I do know that God will be faithful to you always as He has been to me. Remember, when change occurs it may be rattling to your way of life......but if you remain faithful.....God will use the pain and uncertainty to bring about a greater purpose and joy in your life. I've seen it time and time again!

With that being said, I'd like to wish you a COURAGEOUS NEW YEAR! It takes courage to step into the unknown. (I'd much rather you be courageous than wish you a 'Happy' New Year!)

 

God's blessings to you this 2014 year!

Why EVERY Youth Pastor Should Visit Local Schools

There is NO EXCUSE for youth pastors to not be involved in their local middle and high schools! 

I was reminded twice this past week as to WHY I visit local schools and eat lunch with students on a regular basis.

This past Monday I went to a family get together in Kendallville. As soon as I walked in the door I introduced myself to a visiting family member and their son. I said hello to the son and he quickly responded: "Oh I know you....you come and visit the lunches all the time." Due to his familiarity with me it led to a very easy relational conversation. What was cool for me to think about was that I had not visited the East Noble high-school since May of last year and yet I was still reaping fruit from my time spent there!

My second story happened at the end of the first Christmas Eve service this past Tuesday as I was coming down the stairs from the sound booth. As soon as I reached the North Foyer entrance a young gal exclaimed: "Hey, I know you....you visit our school all the time." Her recognition of me led to a very easy conversation and invitation to come to our youth ministry!

One of my favorites verses in Scripture is found in the book of Acts: "From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands" (Acts 17:26). God has specifically put you as a person into the exact era, family, and location that He desires. This should give you and I a sense of purpose and meaning! So many times we throw pity parties about what our current location does not have, but God chose us to be there, so make the most of it and be as an integral part of the community that God has put you in!

Here Is A List of Reasons Why All Youth Pastors Should Visit their Local Schools Regularly

(I go on average twice a week to eat lunch at local schools and visit sporting/music events regularly)

 

1. You STAY YOUNG! I have been mistaken for a senior in high-school almost every week. Working with young people keeps you young and fresh.

2. Your students SEE THAT YOU WALK THE WALK! Do not expect your students to do something that you are unwilling to do. For example, I challenge our students to be evangelists and to reach out to their friends. Therefore, I make it a point to talk with and meet new and unsaved students, build relationally into their lives, and invite them to church.

3. It keeps you ONE STEP AHEAD OF THE GAME! I am not what you would consider as a 'hip' youth pastor and never fully will be BUT I can tell you the overall atmosphere of the school, where and who my students sit with at lunch, and some of the main issues and basic heartbeat of the community.

4. You become a RESOURCE FOR PARENTS! As an individual that gets to eat and be around their son/daughter regularly I often get approached by parents as to questions concerning their kids.

5. I may be the ONLY GODLY INFLUENCE A STUDENT KNOWS! I have come in contact with a large number of students who do not even know what a pastor or minister is! I may be the only person they know that represents Jesus!

6. It holds me ACCOUNTABLE! As I become more and more known by students and parents in the community it holds me accountable to do the right thing in private and public. I want to represent Jesus as best as possible.

7. It LEADS TO MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES! As the administration of the school gets to know me more it leads to future ministry opportunities. For example, I've been called into the school to counsel students after tragic situations. I've been called over the loud speaker to a history class to explain the difference between Islam and Christianity. I've had the opportunity to run a Christian program inside the school's cafeteria after classes.

8. Jesus MADE HIMSELF AVAILABLE TO PEOPLE! There were times where Jesus would simply make himself available to minister to people, even to children. I need to assign times to do the same to better shepherd and talk with young people.

9. It's FUN! I have a bunch of different lines that I use when meeting students to get a laugh to help break the ice. Most students see pastors and church as being old, stanch, and ridged. I get to break that stereotype!

10. It STREGTHENS MY FAITH! Let's be honest walking into a cafeteria with 600 barbaric teenagers is intimidating. A verse that I constantly repeat is Psalm 118:6 "The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?" What's the worst a student can do to me in the cafeteria - throw food at me or cuss me out (both have happened to me)! That's minute compared to the impact I can have on students. Every time I visit a school I feel anxious, but leave strengthened!

 

Here are just a few cool stories of people that I've met while visiting local high-schools 

I met Dallas and got to chat with him while he was a senior in high-school during lunches. During that time we built a relationship. He was my roommate for a number of months and I had the privilege of baptizing, officiating his wedding, and sharing in the joy of hearing that his wife is expecting (I told him that I better be the godfather)! I would never have known this guy if I had not visited the schools regularly.

 

 

I met Skyler a week before his family started attending our church. Due to my familiarity with him it made it easier for him and his family to get involved with our church. This past August I had the opportunity to baptize this guy!

Due to my relationship with our local middle school it opened up doors to run a youth program on Wednesday evenings and reach out to unchurched students. Any time you reach out...it's a good thing!

 

PROXIMITY IS IMPACT!

If you want to have influence with people you better put yourself in positions to be around and close to them!



Benefits of a Youth ALL-NIGHTER!

This past Friday our youth program hosted a Red-Eye All-Nighter! Here is the basic schedule of what we did with 180 teens/adults:

- Diaper Dodgeball in the gym as students registered for the night
- Headed to the Link for some fun, overview of the rules, worship, and a gospel presentation
(Rich Yauger, former youth pastor, spoke and did an excellent job. We had 5 students make  decisions for the Lord and many came forward. There was an unparalleled attitude of worship, brokenness, and surrender during the worship set that followed!)
- Split up Jr. High and Sr. High and went to Fort Wayne. Each group bowled for three hours and then went laser-tagging and played video games for three hours.

*Many youth ministries do lock-ins at a church and keep students in one spot all night. Let's be honest most students get bored and start doing things they shouldn't after a few hours. We keep our students moving. (We had to rent/find bus drivers for four buses but it was worth it!)

 

Here are some reasons why All-Nighters can be beneficial for a youth ministry

1. Easy Evangelism - It's easy to invite a friend to do fun things all night for only $20. We had 35 first time visitors to our youth program.

2. Set Goals for the Students - We set a numeric goal of 200 people we wanted at this event and came close. I had a number of students who said that we wouldn't get close...but we did. Students love goals and challenges!

3. Medal of Honor for Youth Workers - Youth workers view All-Nighters as their way of receiving the military's vision of the Purple Heart. Youth ministry is not for the faint of heart and they love the challenge of staying up late with teenagers.

4. Information is Power - All students had to check-in using our computer database system so it allowed me to get updated addresses and visitor information so I can send students and parents promo stuff in the mail.

5. Share the Gospel/Worship - Yes, All-nighters are full of pop and pizza but you have a lot of energy beforehand as students are hyped for the night. Use that energy to share Christ and to have them sing their hearts out to the Lord!

6. Allows you to Evaluate your Students - When you do a trip like this you get to watch firsthand how your students follow instructions and respond in different situations. I challenged our youth leadership team to come forward and encourage students who made decisions. They followed through. We had zero problems or incidents on this trip which shows that our students are understanding that this trip was not about themselves, but had a greater purpose.

7. Provides Momentum - I had a number of students who were excited about what God did during the trip. We had a time of vision casting and testimonies this past Wednesday. It was a momentum boost as we head into the holiday season.

8. Vision, Vision, Vision - Communicate your vision for an event before, during, and after it happens. I had the opportunity to challenge our students and state goals. Afterwards, I got to encourage them for their behavior and evangelistic zeal. I also, got to share with them how this event fits into the greater picture of where our youth ministry is heading.

9. Relationships - You get to build relationships with students as you are bowling with each other, beating them at laser-tag (I got 2nd out of 30), and riding in a bus together.

10. Fun - Ministry is exhausting and tiring. I believe though that ministry when done right is always rewarding and fun. I know I had a fun time serving, driving bus, eating pizza, bowling, laser-tagging, laughing, praying, talking, and hanging with students all night!

Think BIG

Growth is NOT an option.

Many organizations, businesses, and churches are promoting 'small'. I find this ironic because leaders promote smallness to encourage people to think that their group is intimate and welcoming so that the visitor will stay. So in reality their plea for 'smallness' is really an advertisement and desire for future GROWTH!

God commands Christians to be evangelistic and to make disciples of all nations through the Great Commission found in Matthew 28:19. We should feel called to reach as many people for Christ as possible! For example, the first church started out as a mega-church movement in the book of Acts! By the time of the Dispersion it was rumored that there were approximately ten thousand Christians living in Jerusalem. News spreads fast....and just think they didn't even have social media or a Jerusalem Gazette to relay this information. 

My point is not to knock on small businesses, organizations, and churches. I grew up, thrived, and was part of a vibrant yet small church growing up. Numbers are never the true measure of health in any organization. My point though is that we should be THINK ING BIG and REACHING out. Many groups stay small because if push came to shove they truly do not want to grow any more because of fear, loss of control, or uncomfortability.

This is where FAITH comes into play. Good leadership understands the mandates from Scripture and pushes on while moving through unchartered waters by FAITH. I believe and know that God wants to BLESS your church...do you have FAITH to make the difficult decisions and to stand on God's promises even if it may temporarily cost you a few disgruntled persons?

I have told my wife Kim this many times. Never give up long-term growth for a short-term fix. Many organizations, churches, and businesses do this because they lack VISION and FAITH.

In working with different churches and youth groups it's fun watching people 'get it' concerning this GROWTH principle. It takes faith to reach out, to think outside the box, and to do what it takes to disciple people. While this provides more work it is definitely more rewarding to see people expecting God to show up every event!

We believe in a BIG God, why are we thinking and expecting SMALL results! Think BIG!