While you may share similar interests with other people on your ministry team, God designed you with a unique personality and skills that add twists and depth to how you contribute. By paying attention to what you’re passionate about, you’ll discover ways to minister that will be more fulfilling to you, more effective to students, and more honoring to God.
On the surface, it might seem that the discovery of individual passions could be an action that may divide your ministry team. Actually, the opposite result usually occurs. God brings volunteers together because each has something special to offer. A healthy youth ministry team needs a variety of passions to minister to a variety of students who have a variety of needs—definitely more needs than one person can meet.
If all the youth ministry volunteers are passionate about music, your ministry may have a lot of singing but you’ll most likely struggle in areas such as discipleship, outreach, and service. Singular passion leaves you with a lopsided and unhealthy ministry; while variety creates a healthy and vibrant ministry.
Once you discover your passion, you’ll be released to pursue and develop your unique design—and you’ll soon find yourself more focused, energized, and effective. When you understand your God-given passions, you’ll see that you don’t need to be at every program or feel guilty about not doing everything on the youth ministry calendar.
In some cases, discovering what you’re passionate about may lead you to change your current involvements and responsibilities. So, how might you need to adjust your youth ministry activities? How could you expand your ministry into new areas and cut back on other areas? When you, and the other volunteers, are inspired by individual passion and create an orchestra of passions—wow! You’ll hear some beautiful youth ministry noise.
Connect to God's Word:
“Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” —1 Corinthians 12:7
• What in youth ministry energizes you?
• What drains you of energy?
• How is using your gifts in ministry an act of worship?