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Coaching |
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In his letter to the Corinthians the Apostle Paul noted, “Even though you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. Therefore I urge you to imitate me. “(1 Cor 4:15, 16 NIV). It has been said that youth leadership is one of the most challenging areas of ministry. Facing pressure from the media, pressure from school, pressure from peers, hormonal pressure and all too often pressure from family, young people have the ability to take leaders on some serious roller coaster rides. And the challenges are not always limited to the young people - with parents and guardians often providing many of the unforeseen tests that lie ahead. Consequently youth leadership burnout can and does affect many who set out with high hopes and big dreams. The reality is that for many youth leaders it can often seem ‘just too hard.’ This is where mentoring comes in. Youth leaders today, like so many others in ministry are crying out for an experienced man or woman of God who will stand with them. They need someone who can understand the issues they face, someone who has been there and can help chart the course, even help them hang on through the storms. Conferences, camps and training programs are fantastic tools to train, equip and inspire, but the reality is that leaders also need someone who will help them stand day to day when the pressure is on. Often such times are weeks or months after a conference is over. Confrontations with parents, misunderstandings with Pastors or Elders, having a key leader fall in sin - such areas and others are not and cannot always be covered by a one night per week youth leaders training program or leaders retreat. Our hearts get involved when we minister – we sometimes feel trampled on, misunderstood, unappreciated, disillusioned or simply worn out. It's times like these that having an experienced leader alongside to help provide encouragement, wisdom and prayer can make the difference between holding on to our call and our vision or simply giving up. Whilst this support often is provided to some extent within the leadership structure of the local church, the added encouragement and wisdom gained from an external coach/mentor with specific youth focus and experience cannot be underestimated. In Australia our leading sports men and women have recognised the need for coaching - utilising many ex-players for decades after retirement. With a coach, through a process of assessment, training, resourcing and coaching, local leaders receive personalised on-site support and equipping. Combined with fortnightly or monthly face to face and/or regular phone or email communication, as well as the broader training and networking available (see Training), churches can find a support relationship through YCA (Youth Cells Australia) that fits in with their needs. |
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