Monthly Archives: May 2012

Students coming together from 20 churches in North County San Diego for a night of worship.

Ever feel alone in ministry? Boy I sure have. I remember one time being so depressed that I could not even get off the floor to go to speak at youth group.  Isolation, abandonment and desperation all combine to push us away from those who can help us most. Thankfully I had friends in ministry who picked me up helped me work through my issues.  But how about you?

So why are we better together?
In part 1 we talked about how Jesus desires our unity. Now we are looking at how we are better together because we equip one another. One of my favorite verses is below:

“As iron sharpens iron so one friend sharpens another.” – Prov. 27:17

We encourage one another

So many of the great leaders in the Bible dealt with discouragement. Joshua, Elijah, Gideon, Barak, Timothy, Paul and even Jesus! On the night of His betrayal he told his disciples to stay awake and watch for he was overwhelmed with sorrow. In the same way, we need one another to watch out for us and build our courage. Who do you have in your corner with you in your ministry?

We equip one another

Iron sharpening iron is a great word picture. A dull blade is a dangerous because it will not cut properly. Other youth workers can best help us to get the training, the resources and the strategy we need to effectively equip teenagers to be disciple makers. Working together help us develop the skillset necessary to thrive in ministry rather than barely survive!

We edify one another

I belong to a ministry network where we build each other up and help fill in the gaps. When we get together we pray for our personal and ministry needs. When somebody is hurting we stop and focus on their needs. Many times I have seen youth leaders get together afterwards just to support another.

We are better together!

We need you to be built up and to build others up in youth ministry. You may not think of yourself as a youth worker but if you love teenagers we need you and you need us. Go to our website at www.youthworkers.net and see how we are better together!

Our society places a high value on rugged individuality. Many a hero sweeps in, saves the damsel, and defeats the enemy all on their own. Maybe there is a sidekick along for the ride. However, when it comes to transforming the lives of millions of teenagers, no one can do it alone.

Jesus had it figured out so many years ago. We are better together. That is why He prayed for all of us.

John 17:20-23

²⁰ “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, ²¹ that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. ²² I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one — ²³ I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

Jesus wanted us to work together

Before we were even born Jesus prayed for us to be unified. He cared so much about unity that before he died he wanted to make sure we knew. And the common denominator is that Jesus is in us just as the Father is in Jesus. Somehow God is hanging out inside our bodies. And He is also hanging out inside all the other believers regardless of ethnicity, denomination or political stance. He glories in us working together with Him.

Unity reflects who God is

Jesus wanted us to be one just like He is one with the Father. There is unity among God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. I don’t get how the Trinity works. However, I do know that God is one in purpose and direction and wants us to be the same. His desire and energy is to be united with us.

Our unity shares His message

When we are unified with God and each other it naturally shares who God is. Our working together has the purpose of being in partnership with God.  He chose us to represent Him here on earth to those who do not yet know Jesus intimately. If churches bicker or ignore each other they do not share who God is. The message becomes diluted by petty arguments and stubborn pride. When we are in Jesus and working together with our brothers and sisters, people will see the difference and know the message God is sharing.

That is why I choose to work with National Network of Youth Ministries. Their focus is to live out the  slogan “We are better together”. My dream is to see 1.6 billion teenagers in community with Jesus. There is no way I can do it alone. Become a member of NNYM and help us work together so that the world may know.

Welcome to Working Together.  It is amazing what we can do when we unify for the purpose of loving God and loving teenagers.

My heart is to share with you resources to help you equip teenagers to be disciple makers for Jesus.

I work with National Network of Youth Ministries who unite youth workers and national ministries to reach teenagers both locally and globally.

In this site you will find stories and wisdom to help you through praying together, building relationships, developing strategy and sharing resources.