In-the-Trenches, Real-Life Youth Ministry Hints

HERE ARE EIGHT QUICK, IN-THE-TRENCHES, REAL-LIFE YOUTH MINISTRY HINTS FOR YOUR NEW YEAR 

• Never Buy More than a Couple Extra T-shirts Than You Have Kids and Leaders. (the leftovers will haunt you for years)
• Never Pre-Buy Tickets for Events, Before You Know Who is Going. (you will lose money every time, pre-sign up & pre-pay always)
• Always Bring a Fully Stocked First Aid Kit with You. (even if it is a couple of hours local event)
• Review Your Ministry Calendar of Activities and Events with Your Spouse, Before Announcing it. (it will save both your marriage and your ministry)
•  Never Respond Immediately to a Negative or Critical Email.  (wait 12-24 hours, take time to pray)
• Always Watch a Teaching Clip in Full, TWICE, if You are using it in a Lesson, Even if You Purchase it from a “Christian” Site.  (that 3 second Songs of Solomon reference will haunt you like last year’s fall retreat t-shirts leftovers, see above)
  
• If You are Going to Use the New Slang Term Your Students are Using, to Try to Be Cool and Relevant…Don’t! (It has a couple of different meanings, and students AND parents will always assume the worst one)
• Find and Take Time Off Each Week, Preferably the Same Day(s) Every Week.  (there are enough nights, weekends, and early/late meetings to cover your 40+ hours a week.)