Leader Session with Doug Fields - Winter Retreat 2011

Here are some thoughts Doug shared during the adult youth leader breakout session at the Winter Retreat.

• See leadership potential in kids
• Give them responsibilities
• Doug's heartbeat: To look kids in the eye and tell them they're leaders
• I have made a lot of mistakes. Most of what I have learned in ministry is from mistakes. I take my mistakes, flip them around and I have a principle.

Word I've been thinking lately: STORY

• Kids remember stories
• Matthew 13

1. We need to be revealing our own stories (and not just the "How great thou art" stories - when we tell those stories, kids can't relate).
1. Exercise discernment and wisdom - not only in content shared, but the context in which it's shared.
2. Current struggles are really important. We must be careful how much we play the "used to do it" card. Can backfire. 
2. Become experts at drawing out their stories.
1. You're not just a chaperone; you're a minister! Your job is to draw out stories.
3. Challenge students to articulate their own stories.
1. Always have them write it out. It forces them to think it through.
2. Not everyone can be a speaker, but almost everyone can be a reader. 
3. Their stories give you illustrations. Ask them for permission to keep a copy and to use it (or have them read it) during your talks. Just categorize and file them.
4. Make your ministry a place where you expose stories.
1. Create a culture in which story-sharing becomes the norm.
2. Everybody has a story. Not all glamorous, but everybody has a story.
3. Affirm them like crazy when they share their stories. Make them feel loved. If they take a risk and expose themselves, you'd better affirm them!
4. After they share, make eye contact with them and say, "Thank you for sharing your story. That was risky, but I am so proud of you!"
5. Connect them to God's BIGGER story.
1. Help them realize how their story fits within God's story.

Leader Session with Doug Fields - Winter Retreat 2011