Creating/Defining the Cutlure Young Life Leadership

In the Young Life world we refer to our ministry as team–based ministry.  The success of each club is dependent on the work of the leadership “team” surrounding that club in pursuing kids for Christ-centered relationships. 

I have thought long and hard about what our “culture” should be as Young Life leaders.  What are we calling each other to as Young Life leaders?  What are we calling potential new Young Life leaders to as they consider serving as volunteer Young Life leader? 

Essentially I believe we are calling people to be a part of our Young Life leadership “Team”. 

As part of a “team” we are not only building a community of Christ followers who love Christ, love each other, love kids and love Young Life.  These aspects of our team are important but they lone are not the “culture” we are working to create.  The culture of “team” points to a collaborative (community) effort toward a goal or desired out come. 

Team defined by Merriam Webster is as follows….

¹team

Noun 1 a: two or more draft animals harnessed to the same vehicle or implement ; also : these with their harness and attached vehicle

b: a draft animal often with harness and vehicle

a group of animals: as a: a brood especially of young pigs or ducks

b: a matched group of animals for

exhibition 4: a number of persons associated together in work or activity: as a: a group on one side (as in football or a debate)

 

³team

transitive verb 1: to yoke or join in a team ; also : to put together in a coordinated ensemble2: to convey or haul with a team

intransitive verb1: to drive a team or motortruck2: to form a team or association

²team

adjective : of or performed by a team <a team effort> ; also : marked by devotion to teamwork rather than individual achievement <a team player>

 

Each definition suggests work towards a common goal.  The ministry of Young Life is only effective in so much as we are working toward the common goal of pursuing disinterested high school and junior high school students with the intent to introduce them to Jesus Christ through authentic relationships.  Our ministry teams are active in this goal over and above being active in the goal of building community, although, this will inevitably happen through the process of team work.

 

In recruiting and training potential Young Life leaders we must be clear in that they are being recruited to be a working contributor to a team.  In considering others for potentially serving as volunteer leaders we much consider if they will be active in working as a contributor to the team.  Therefore, it is of little interest to us to recruit solely for the purpose of building up the recruit.  Rarely, do we find teams that recruit participants who would benefit more, as individuals, from their involvement on the team than the team would as whole.  Are we interested in building up our leaders, encouraging them and ministering to them?  Yes!  Are we interested in this alone and therefore not paying attention to the goal to which the team of Young Life has been called?  No!   We are a community with a cause, a team with a goal, and we will work to both build the team and accomplish the goal.

 

The culture of Young Life leadership – loving teams working toward a lofty goal!

~ by caryhendricks on October 8, 2008.