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Not Just Takin' From Your Female Leader
Kim Pickett
Have you ever considered that your youth group leaders are...human? While that question might seem ridiculous, I think we're all sometimes tempted to view our female leaders as super-human women who couldn't possibly need anything from us. This couldn't be any further from the truth!
Just like you and me, your female leaders get tired and discouraged. They can feel unappreciated and lonely. They can even question the impact they're having in the lives of the students they serve - students like you. So let me ask you, do you treat your female leaders like they're "human?" Do they know that you're thankful for them? Try going out of your way this week to make sure you're not just takin' from your female leader.
Check out these ideas of ways you can give back:
•Ask your mom and dad if you can invite her and her family over for dinner to thank her for the time shes investing in your life.
•Text her an encouraging message or Bible verse.
•Write a note letting her know how she has encouraged or challenged you in your walk with Christ.
•Follow up with her about the things that are going on in her life.
•If you spend time at her home with other students, offer to bring a snack or help her clean up afterwards.
•Pray for her, and let her know that she's in your prayers.
•See if there are any needs in her life that you can help meet (e.g. dog walking, babysitting, cleaning, etc.).
•Remember her birthday by mailing her a card with a special note.
God wants us to cultivate thankfulness in every area of our lives (Col. 3:15). In fact, God wants us to be women who are constantly "overflowing with thankfulness" (Col. 2:7)! Your female leaders give of their time to serve you and your small group, so let's make sure that we never take their ministry to us for granted. Let's begin to cultivate the thankful heart that God describes in His Word by recognizing and giving thanks for these godly women!
Looking for an old article? Find it Here!
Kim Pickett served as a female mentor to high school girls for four years at her home church in Oak Park, IL. Her desire to pour into the next generation of young women continues to grow as she sees the value in pouring into their lives and pointing them to Christ. She now serves as the Ministry's General Editor and QA Director.
God's Truth
"And now, friends, we ask you to honor those leaders who work so hard for you, who have been given the responsibility of urging and guiding you along in your obedience. Overwhelm them with appreciation and love!"
1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 (The Message)
"How can you show respect to and hold in the highest regard your pastor and church leaders? Express your appreciation, tell them how you have been helped by their leadership and teaching, and thank them for their ministry in your life. If you say nothing, how will they know where you stand? Remember, they need and deserve your support and love."
The Life Application Study Bible, New International Version. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1988. 1 Thessalonians 5:12, 13.
Pg. 2176.
Resources
1. Grab a copy of "Choosing Gratitude: Your Journey to Joy" by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. Nancy says that when we choose a lifestyle of heartfelt, humble gratitude, were thankful for the people God has strategically placed around us (i.e. your female mentors).
Check out this book at:
www.amazon.com
2. Visit Hersheys Web site to find delicious recipes for cakes and cookies to bake for your ministry leaders and mentors. Nothing says I appreciate you like chocolate! Stop by your youth leaders home to drop off a batch of warm cookiesjust because.
Find your new favorite recipe at:
http://www.hersheys.com/recipes
3. Visit Blue Mountains Web site to send your youth leader an e-card reminding her how much you appreciate her ministry. Whether its funny or serious, itll be sure to brighten her day. Try including a Bible verse to encourage her with Gods truth!
Send a card today at:
www.bluemountain.com
Serene Miller
Who Do You Talk To?
I have been so thankful for the female mentors God has put in my life. I had many mentors throughout my junior high years who were consistently there for me, encouraging and supporting me, no matter what. Now as a freshman in high school, I am finding that the greatest impact my female mentor has on me is by just being there for me.
I love my female mentors because I feel like I can talk to them about anything. I am so thankful for how they always take that extra five to ten minutes on the phone to talk and pray with me, even when they are busy. They continue to show me what it looks like to be on fire for Jesus Christ, and it makes me want that for myself all the more. Because of them, I have grown so much in my walk with Christ. They have made a huge impact on my life in ways that I will never forget.
I also have learned a lot from the male youth pastors in my youth group. They sometimes give me a different perspective than the female mentors give me. And even though my female leaders are the main people I go to for things, I still look up to my youth pastors for so many reasons. One of the reasons is because of the many times that I have heard them get up and talk in front of the youth group. I have often sensed God talking through them to me and the other people in my youth group. I have grown to know God more as they teach from God's Word. This is one of the main reasons why my youth pastors continue to be a great encouragement to my walk with Christ!
Hey! I am Serene Miller. I live in the Chicagoland area. I am a freshman in high school, and I am home schooled. I love Jesus Christ with all my heart! He is the best thing that has ever happened in my life.
Nikki Bryan
Throughout my childhood, I was only granted the privilege of seeing my dad twice a month. The lack of my dad's presence left me desiring a more consistent fatherly figure in my life. Though my youth pastor was not a perfect replacement, he offered me invaluable "dad" advice. I remember asking my youth pastor the following questions: What does the Bible say about divorce? What should I look for in a husband? What colleges should I consider applying to? My youth pastor's advice had a major influence on my life. He was very honest with me, and if he didn't know the answers to my questions, he would connect me with someone who did. He knew when to have fun with us students and when to be the authority figure, which I needed in my life.
Although I am thankful for my youth pastor, I cannot help but also thank the Lord for the female mentors He graciously put in my life. One woman particularly stands out in my mind. Her name was Gina, and I will never forget the way she supported and encouraged me throughout my high school years. I remember sitting with her for hours discussing my wide range of emotions stemming from my parents' divorce. Gina also walked me through every girl's journey of finding her strength in God rather than boys. She was never afraid to get in my face about stuff in my life that wasn't honoring to the Lord. She would ask me the hard questions that I desperately needed to be asked. Gina was also good at breaking things down for me in a way that I could understand because she was female and understood my emotions. It was Gina's womanly advice that helped develop me as a Christian leader in my school. I thank God for giving me a female mentor with whom I could connect with on all levels.
As a teenage girl, knowing who to go to with your problems can be as difficult as the problem itself. In retrospect, while my male youth pastor gave me a healthy picture of what a godly man looks like, my female mentor was more helpful with my personal issues and emotional dilemmas. I have learned that by talking with your female mentor, you can gain insight from a woman who has walked in your shoes. Proverbs 27:17 states, "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." God wants you to learn from those who are older and wiser than you are. As you learn from the women above you, you will be sharpened, and you will be able to sharpen those around you. While a male youth pastor can offer you valuable advice and wisdom, some things are better shared woman to woman (e.g. boys, sex, or arguments with your girlfriends). So, what are you waiting for? Call one of your female mentors. Chances are she's been waiting to hear from you!
Nikki Bryan currently serves as the Ministry's Volunteer Coordinator and Creative Assistant. She is passionate about high school girls becoming strong women of the Lord!
"Folly delights a man who lacks judgment, but a man of understanding keeps a straight course. Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. A man finds joy in giving an apt reply - and how good is a timely word!"
Proverbs 15:21-23 (NIV)
"People with tunnel vision, those who are locked into one way of thinking, are likely to miss the right road because they have closed their minds to any new options. We need the help of those who can enlarge our vision and broaden our perspective. Seek out the advice of those who know you and have a wealth of experience. Build a network of advisers. Then be open to new ideas and be willing to weigh their suggestions carefully. Your plans will be stronger and more likely to succeed."
The "Life Application Study Bible", New International Version. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1988. Proverbs 15:21-23. Pg. 1099.
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