Subscribe to the NetworkPeople matter, not numbers….
Those were the words that were stated at a church we use to work at. And is what any church in America would say. I wish it felt true. It seems now more than ever, in our ministry, numbers matter.
“How many do you have in your youth group?”
“How many came to the weekend service?”
“How many showed up at mid-week?”
How many, how many, how many? That’s all we are hearing around here. Does it matter? Yes. On one hand I understand that numbers can reflect growth and health. But I also understand the “elders” (or whatever they are called at your church) deciding a number that they think should be attending and holding an unrealistic and not to mention unhealthy expectation over the youth staff’s head is crazy. I know my husband has spent a lot of time refocusing our youth group to bring it to a more healthy place for the students and the staff. Unfortunately the “powers that be” aren’t saying, “Wow what a happy, healthy youth group you have here!” “More students are serving now, than ever.” “More students are plugged into a small group more than ever.” What they are saying is, “Wow, these numbers aren’t climbing like they used to. What’s wrong?” (Barf.) It is so hard to win. More games, more concerts, more events, more camps…that’ll reach ‘em! Run your staff so ragged that they don’t have time for their families, make them so tired they question their call into ministry. What a great idea, all in the name of more numbers!
Wouldn’t it be great and so refreshing to get back to the basic thought of, its the people that matter, not the numbers. Because if our people (including students, staff, and families) are taken care of don’t you think the rest will fall into place?
(Sorry for the soap-box-speech)
Angelina had a great question, that we ask ourselves in ministry time and time again. The neverending question: “You want to give your best to the church and youth group and it seems like more is expected but you want to be a healthy family also….How do you deal with that?
GREAT question! I have no idea . . . all I got for you is this: Wouldn’t it be great if youth pastor’s got paid overtime like the rest of the world!!???!! Then it would be the church paying when they expect more from their staff instead of just the family paying in precious time. At least the family would receive a monetary benefit from seeing their husband/father less, and maybe could afford to go on a real vacation!!!
We “try” to do this: when ministry and family clash, family comes first 90% of the time, as a result of my husband ONLY works 55 (the requirement at our church) hrs/week and he’s always feeling so behind. If my husband is always behind and would have to work 70 hours/week to get everything done the problem is not lack of productivity but lack of realistic expectations from those who manage him.