You must have seen the juggling trick.
If the performer does not keep coming back, the plates that are spinning round fall off their sticks and crash to the ground. Only the juggler spinning the plate will keep it from falling.
My youth ministry started very quietly as I was shown to my new office and left to run the youth and children’s ministry. There was little structure and I found myself wondering where I should begin. However, it wasn’t long before things got moving, new initiatives were started, people wanted to talk and raise issues and what had started quietly gained pace. At this point it felt like I was spinning plates and wondering which one needed some more energy to keep it going.
Early church?
I’ve often wondered if the early church pioneers ever felt like this. Paul expressed his longing to be with churches and their people (Philippians 4.1) and spoke of what he had heard about what the churches were doing (1 Thessalonians 1.2f). Paul must have had to make decisions about where to go next, as many new, and mostly growing, churches were having problems. His strategy had many facets, but there are things to learn from him if we’re facing the issues of plate juggling.
1. Does it have to be me?
Paul often sent others to deal with church issues (e.g. Timothy and Titus, but many others). We can sometimes think of ourselves as the only answer to the problem. Early in my youth ministry I realised I could not go to every meeting that involved children or young people. So I needed a team of trusted people who could exercise oversight over smaller areas within the church.
Was it necessary for me to organise every aspect of our youth house parties? I decided to leave such things as catering, activities, outings and rotas to those who were more gifted than I was and gave them some level of responsibility and involvement. It is also worth looking for people who do not have face-to-face contact with young people, but can provide a resource, a caterer for example.
2. Is my diary under control?
Probably not – mine never is completely. But you can look at any given week or month and see what priority you have given to your various roles. It is important that those in full-time youth ministry do this, but volunteers may have more spinning plates than those employed by the church. Nobody wants an over-stretched worker, so it is important to review commitment with our army of volunteers. There are some great volunteers out there, but sometimes they need to prioritise.
3. Your strengths & weaknesses
Friends who know me deplore my inability to do admin properly. I wonder if Paul had the same problem – I hope so!!!! There are two answers to this. Can someone else cover your area of weakness? If so, delegate. If you have to do it, do your weakest area first and get it out of the way. There are times when it is ‘all hands to the pump’ (like tidying up at the end of an evening), but it is key that each of us recognise our gifts and exercise them as far as we are able.
4. Take time to reflect
In dealing with youth ministers, whether paid or volunteer, I find a lot of action men and women who delight in getting out there and meeting young people. Great!! But youth ministers are generally not good at asking the question ‘What on earth am I doing for heaven’s sake?’ That needs reflection, prayer and teamwork to be achieved. It may also mean that you have fewer plates to juggle.
