Planning
If you fail to plan then you plan to fail.
Try to keep your plans simple.
- Planning gives direction to the program and keeps it focused on missions.
- Planning includes setting goals and developing ways to achieve those goals.
- Planning prevents calendar conflicts.
- Planning eliminates most discipline problems.
Goals are an important part of planning.
- Goals are specific, concrete, measurable, and have a time frame.
- Goals guide our actions, and direct us to the future.
- The goal is to have shared goals. (Involve the youth and leaders in setting goals.)
Types of goals:
- Short range – from a day to a month.
- Intermediate range – from a month to a year.
- Long range – a year or more.
Annual Calendar
Involve leadership in developing an annual calendar. Pray for God’s leadership in your planning. Use the resources below to assist you in developing your calendar.
- Church calendar
- Challengers Planbook
- State Calendar – TBM Website
- Associational calendar
- School calendar - holidays
- Monthly Planning
Monthly Meetings
Schedule a monthly meeting for leaders to pray and review plans for the month. Review the lesson plans in the Challengers Planbook.
- Pray for God’s leadership in your planning. Review plans for the month and make assignments.
- Ensure that you have materials necessary for weekly plans.
- Order materials needed for future months.
- Evaluate and adjust the schedule as necessary.
- Report monthly to the church concerning the Challenger activities.
Weekly Planning
A successful meeting always begins with successful planning. Suggested lesson plans are found in the Challengers Planbook.
Pray for each person involved in Challengers in addition to current prospects.
Arrive early, be prepared, teach with confidence, and evaluate goals.
Communicating
Today we are living in the information age. People are constantly receiving various messages and evaluating the message by their values. Communication is the process of a transmitter sending a message through the use of a medium to a receiver. Effective communication involves an active receiver listening and giving feedback concerning facts and feelings. Listed below are some methods of communication:
Announcements
- Hand-outs Mail-outs
- E-Mail
- Church Bulletin
- Posters
- Bulletin Boards
- Web Page
Motivating
Motivation is the energy we have to do things. Technically, leaders don’t motivate anybody. Enthusiasm and a positive attitude are very helpful in creating a positive climate for others. Leaders strive to inform, open doors of service, and model ministry for others. The Holy Spirit guides the believer’s actions and energies. As leaders, we need to pray that God will continue to motivate the disciples to respond to His invitations. Listed below are some of the methods used by leaders to motivate youth:
Verbal praise for the positive actions you observe in the youth’s life.
- Recognize a youth for their accomplishments.
- Plan exciting events that interest youth.
- Set attainable goals that challenge each age group.
- Consistent and fair leadership.
Mediating
Conflicts are inevitable and therefore mediators are needed. Effective leaders know that differences can enrich a group if conflict is dealt with constructively. Consequently, leaders learn to mediate conflicts over facts and to listen carefully as combatants vent differences involving feelings. Moses is a good Biblical example of a mediator. (Exodus) Jesus Christ is our mediator who is currently interceding on our behalf. Listed below are some conflict resolution skills:
Use attentive listening skills.
Allow the youth to express their point of view without judgement.
Allow the youth to express their opinion concerning a resolution.
Allow the youth to come to an agreement on a resolution.