UNITED LB: Building a Youth Leader Network

In my first couple of months as Youth Pastor one of the greatest lessons that I learned is that I cannot effect change in the lives of young people on my own.

This was what drove me to get connected with an Area Network for youth Pastors in the cities surrounding Long Beach. Yet as I began to build relationships with other Youth Leaders and do ministry in real Kingdom Partnership, I realized that I want this for my city. 

Some of the realities of Inter City Urban Youth Ministry are Under resourcing, Lack of Pay, and Lack of Partnerships. Naturally Youth Leader Networks help to remedy this issue, and as I began to build relationships with other like minded Youth partners in Long Beach we decided that one of the greatest things we could do for our city is start United LB. 

The Process started with a lot of Prayer as we began to come together in Unity believed for a Revival in the Hearts of the youth in our city. 

After We Prayed together, we began to dream together. What kind of ministry events would we put on together? What schools could we reach? How can we better serve the young people in our city? 

But dreams are just ideas waiting to be put to action, so we picked a day and began to contact as many Youth Leaders in our city as possible. Naturally a lot of people were excited and others wanted no part of the partnership. 

Not allowing disappointment to keep us from our goal, we picked a venue and set the date. In the end over 30 leaders showed up and we have our next quarterly meeting set up to Build, Equip, and Pray. 

So if you see a lack of partnership in your city, maybe the best option is to try and start a Youth Leader Network. As you move forward toward Partnership here are a couple of things to think about: 

What does Partnership look like in your context? 

How can you come together to do Kingdom Work that effects the greater body? 

Are you reaching out to full time Youth Leaders? Bi vocational? Or Both?  

What are your Mission, Vision, and Values going to be? 

Through Partnership we are able to be better Youth Leaders and effect greater change than we ever could as Mavericks or Lone Rangers. If you're interested in starting a Network I'd love to come in and do some training as you build new and long lasting change in your city. Connect with me HERE