Generation to Generation: The Buddy System
Each week we’ll be writing about different ways that we, as leaders, can effectively be examples to our students. These topics range from relationships to being active in a small group. All of these topics are nuggets every leader can apply to his or her life. It’s our hope that you’ll check back to see what next week’s topic is, and that you can apply what we’ve learned in your own life as a fellow volunteer youth worker.
Two are stronger than one
Ecclesiastes 4:9 tells us that two are stronger than one. When it comes to being a volunteer youth worker, it is so important to have someone that you consider your partner in ministry. If one of you falls the other is there to help pick you up, but if you fall and you’re alone, you’re in trouble.
This partnership can mean two different things:
- In most of our junior and senior high school small groups, there are usually two co-leaders that take charge of the group.
- On the other hand, everyone working in ministry, not just youth ministry, should have someone they can go to for debriefing, advice, and encouragement.
If you have someone like this, it makes things way easier in the long run because you’re not going on to the battlefield alone. As volunteer youth workers we are a support system for our students when they fall, but we also need to make sure we have a support system for ourselves.
Steven: One of the coolest things that I’ve experienced in the past year is the support and closeness of a mentoring relationship. Matt has been someone to me that is totally irreplaceable. To me, he is someone that I can always go to with issues or problems, and he will help me resolve them no matter what.
Our relationship is such a gift from God. I’ve realized as time has gone by that we met for a very specific reason. Without him, I wouldn’t be writing this blog. Without him, I probably wouldn’t have decided to go into vocational ministry. He has been such an influence on my life! I think everyone should have a Matt.
The fact is, we can’t go through life alone. We need someone to always have our back, and the sooner you find someone that can do that for you, the better off you’ll be, and the more effective you’ll be as a volunteer youth worker.
In a totally different area, my junior high small group co-leader is one of the best friends I have. If I had to lead a group of 14 seventh grade guys by myself, I would probably go crazy. Luckily, I have Kyle. We balance each other really well and it makes for a great equilibrium in the group.
A lot of times we’ll be discussing something and one of us can’t say the right words to get our point across in a way that makes sense. Usually the other person will be able to put a different spin on it to have it make sense. Without him, I would not be as effective as a youth leader.
Matt: This topic has a much deeper meaning to me. It means that I have someone in my life that will be there for me, will have my back when I need help, and hold me accountable. That person for me is Steven.
Over the past year we have developed a close, deep personal relationship where we feel very comfortable with each other and are able to talk about anything. Recently I experienced a day where it seemed that everything I did and touched had failed. I started to question everything I was doing, and I wondered why God seemed to be ignoring me.
As soon as I conveyed those feelings to Steven, he immediately shot back a text to me with bible verses that let me know that God is ALWAYS there for us. Hebrews 13:5, “I will never fail you.” Immediately when I read those words it hit me…God hadn’t moved, I had! He was still at my side, waiting for me to come to Him in prayer.
After my quiet time that night, one of my first thoughts was, “I’m the older one here, I should be the one helping Steven, not him having to throw me a life line.” But then it dawned on me; it’s not about age, it’s about caring for each other. It’s about being an active participant in each other’s lives and realizing when someone is struggling and putting ourselves out there and saying, “Hey, I care…how can I help?”
You need to ask yourself, “Do I have someone like that in my life?” If the answer is no, then you need to find someone fast! As volunteer student leaders we need to make sure we’re spiritually healthy to be the best example to our students. Part of us being spiritually healthy is having someone in our lives who shares our love for God, shares our passion for youth ministry, and will always have our back, no matter what.
Upcoming topics:
- Building godly relationships
- Leaders being active and involved in a small group
- Daily time with God
 matt@volunteeryouthministry.com |
 steven@volunteeryouthministry.com |
Two ways for youth workers to get published on VolunteerYouthMinistry.com:
- Paid youth workers can submit piece to the monthly column called My3.
- Volunteer youth workers can always submit tips, illustrations and learnings from your experiences as a youth worker.
Please submit materials by clicking here. The concept behind this blog is for volunteer youth workers to share ideas with each other. I hope you’ll consider adding your insights to the community!
Related posts
Filed under: Generation to Generation
