So many of us have a dream for our youth ministries. We have a vision to see God expand our ministry and have an influence in our student’s lives and our student”s world. At times, it can seem so out of reach for us. God’s vision being fulfilled doesn’t “just happen.” It has to start from somewhere…and that somewhere is right where you are with what you have. We can see the story of Sampson who had nothing but a jawbone and a desire to see God inflict serious damage against the enemy (Judges 15:14-16). The Spirit of God comes upon him and he reaches down and grabs a jawbone of a donkey. It’s small, it’s convenient and it’s right within his reach. What he does with it is astonishing as he destroys a 1000 men and crushes the enemy allowing God’s people to triumph. At On The Verge, it’s about God showing you what’s within your reach so that you can have a sweet victory for you and your ministry. It probably won’t look like much and by appearances doesn’t seem like much. But in your hand when God’s Spirit is on you, it transforms from natural to supernatural and you and your ministry are never the same.
As you take advantage of On The Verge this year, make your roadtrip productive by having some creative roadtrip ideas planned that will not only bond you closer but make your ministry better. Here’s some ideas:
1. Get to know your team better by playing a modified version of “Loaded Questions” or “Would You Rather” and offer points and a free meal for the team member who gets the most right.
2. Offer some spiritual gift tests while on the road that they could take and talk about your strengths and what they contribute to the team. The Four Elements of Success by Laurie Beth Jones is a great read to simply ask the question: ”which element best describes you?”
3. Have a strategizing session by analyzing where you have been, where you are now and strategizing where you want to go as a youth ministry this upcoming school year.
4. Travel with other youth pastors from your area or offer to pick someone up and “compare notes” of what’s working in each other’s minstries and have an idea exchange.
5. Plan a creative back-to-school event this fall by giving someone in the car a notepad and brainstorming the name and some clever elements to make the best back-to-school event this fall!
6. Share some “high/low” moments by cultivating some transparency in the car of your high this past school year and your low. Also sharing where you are at in between a 1 to 5 rating helps everyone see where everyone else is at.
