Ohana Empower Training
Ohana Empower Training
& why you should go to the
one coming to your town
I had been anxiously and dare I
say compulsively logging in to see the training events status update so I could
register for the Empower training coming to our island. As the Life Teen
Coordinator in our military community I had been plagued by the sinking feeling
that I am not equipped for this responsibility, and thought TRAINING is the
key.
Tricia Tembreull was coming to
Hawaii! I leapt for joy! Arriving with my notebook and pen, I was prepared to
collect the how to-s and check lists for changing what I am doing to make our
Life Teen better…what I didn’t expect was that it is so much more than a
check list… Communicate effectively, the Holy Spirit succeeds, pray more
than you plan, and focus on relationships-the Ohana. It does seem
written this way that it appears to be a list but bear with me. I imagine many
of the people attending this training were feeling much like me; and you may be
too as you prepare for your empower experience. I expected to hear all the ways
that I was messing things up, and all the ways to fix it. I was reminded why my
perfectionistic tendencies have no place in Youth Ministry.
Parishes from all over the island
attend.
There were multiple churches
represented from every part of Oahu.
Many of those parishes are new to the Life Teen Ohana. Okay so there is
that word again, this is where you may be thinking of that sweet little blue
alien who so sweetly recites that “Ohana means family.” And that is exactly
what it means sans the blue alien, or with him if you really love the movie. Okay,
back to the Empower Training experience, We were all able to choose between two
breakout sessions. One was geared toward Life Teen’s middle school Edge, and
the other for high school resources. We came back together to discuss our
experiences briefly and then we were fed. That truly is always a key component
isn’t it?
Communication was highlighted as an essential component in successful Life
Teen and Edge Ministry and Tricia walked us through an enlightening exercise.
She asked all the attendees in the room to stand except for the Youth Ministry
Coordinator/Director. Then she asked a series of questions. Remain standing if
you receive emails or texts from your Coordinator. Remain standing if you
always read them. Some sat down. Remain standing if you always read it
entirely. More sat. Remain standing if you respond every time you should…
nearly every person was seated at this point. I could feel most of us in the
“director’s chair” cringe a little because we know how often a needed response
is just nonexistent.
This exercise helped us all to
honestly assess how we are currently communicating, how we wish to communicate,
and what three simple keys to effective communication can empower (see what I
did there?) youth ministries in their efforts to engage well. The first,
identify the best way to reach the Core and teens…for some, email is better for
others, text. Then consider the frequency and the importance of the
communication in that form, suggested volume of emails is 1 email a week. Our
ministry is relational so that means we are in the business of cultivating
Christ centered relationships with each other and with those we serve. So it
was strongly suggested that we ask ourselves, “Am I making communication about
ministry a priority? And being accountable?” More than that also, “Am I communicating
about things outside of ministry too, really building relationships or is it
all about the next life night, retreat etc.?” (More on that a little later). The
thing is that yes, planning is important. Communicating effectively…super
important. Showing up and really being invested, yes important. Be sure not to
let fear of failing be your primary objective when reaching out and planning.
Failure fails to exist when the
Holy Spirit is the one that shows up.
The reality is that all the
planning and talking/text/email in the world aren’t in and of themselves what
means success or failure in your life night, retreat, or event. When we are
obedient to our call and in the order our call is given to us; i.e. God,
family, work, ministry; you invite the Holy Spirit to show up. Jesus is first
on the invite, and a true encounter with Christ regardless of if you checked
all the boxes, all the equipment worked, and everyone did what they were
supposed to…THAT is success. I said this before but the Lord keeps repeating it
to me…Every meeting, every flyer, every life night, it’s all about Jesus and
His infinite mercy, love, and His sincere desire to share in an encounter with
your teens and YOU.
Pray more than Plan
Sometimes I get in way over my
head with trying to organize this meeting, print out all that needs to be
printed out (sign in sheets, handouts, flyers, bulletin inserts etc.), inspire
volunteers, communicate enough…yet not too much…well you get the idea. It is
overwhelming, you know that. Marlo Dowdy (in one of my many emotionally charged
pleas for help) reminded me of what Tricia enthusiastically shared when she
asked me this beautiful question, “How is your prayer life? Are you hearing His
voice?” What she was reminding me of, and to be honest frequently reminds me of
is to always hold tight to the need to prioritize prayer. Before any of that
other stuff, before I speak I must listen, before I ask I must thank, before I
take I must receive what is given, I must intimately trust in God’s love and
Mercy. I must spend time on my knees before I spend time on the keys (of the
laptop). In my support calls and encouragement, and in this prayer time I am
reminded why my perfectionistic tendencies have no place in Youth Ministry.
Relational Ministry There is one last lesson
from Tricia, and it was a reminder…we are a relational ministry, which means we
are in the relationship business. We are about our relationship with God and
how we interact with Him through the people around us. That makes sense on obvious
levels but the point can be simplified even more…get to know each other OUTSIDE
of the ministry. Know what our likes and dislikes, needs and wants, silliness
and seriousness, all of it in healthy connection lies healthy ministry. Phone
a friend, call in reinforcements and know you are not alone. For those of
us in the military communities you know that reinforcements are a big deal and
you also know that the quality of that support is crucial. Know that Life Teen
Resources come with HUMAN support. Marlo and Tricia are faithful, honest, and
sincerely dedicated to seeing God’s glory manifested all over our communities. They
are a real and integral part of your Life Teen Ohana. The Empower training was
my first time meeting Tricia finally face to face, and yet I can tell you all
it was like being reunited with a dear friend. Embrace these principles communicate,
trust in God the glory is HIS, pray A LOT, nurture these and your vocational
relationships, GO to the Empower Training in your town and "Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be
taken up and cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes
that what he says is going to happen, it will be granted him.” Matt 11:23
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