Being a youth in church is great because you can learn from the adults but also teach the youngsters. However, with that comes the responsibility as the next generation to clean up your act and perform in church duties.
We are constantly reminded that we “are the next leaders of the church”.
Having talents is a blessing but in church it can be overused or depended on too much. Which can make you become tired or reluctant to use your talents, and we will find any excuse in the book to avoid having to lead in church. When we want to say no to something our normal reaction is to run or laugh it off. However, there are other ways to say no.
“A reluctant Christian is the worst Christian for they will complain through the whole process.”
Talents Under Pressure:
Speaker
Because, you are articulate and good at expressing yourself. You are seen as the spokesperson for every youth program, as though everyone else lost their voices. You are immediately chosen to preach at the next Youth service. Even though you low-key don’t like speaking up front, you do it anyways cause the church asked. Church members always tell you, you’re going to be a pastor in the future but that just adds more pressure on you. They start to expect T.D Jakes worthy preaching from you. Unfortunately, when you finish preaching you don’t feel like you did as well as you could have. Even though you said yes you find it hard to come up with a sermon.
Musician
You are always asked to help in praise and worship or lead when it’s a youth service. You are always called to do special item. Even though finding a new song to sing and a musician to play that song can be stressful when they inform you last minute. We can’t all be Tasha Cobbs every service or jam out like Hillsong. So sometimes you will find yourself just unenthusiastic to get up there and lead the whole congregation. Sometimes you may feel like just sitting down and not getting back up for the next song cause you not in the spirit. With so many eyes on you it’s really hard to hid how you really feel up there. Unless you have mastered your poker face.
Social Butterfly
You know people from different youth groups and all the youth leaders in your area. You always know when there is a youth program on and are the one to tell everyone else. You can be found at every youth event or program. Socialising comes naturally to you, if you not the one making new friends you’re the one introducing people to each other. So, when there are new youth at your church you are the one volunteered to break the ice first. Whenever there is a program happening at your church you’re the one they ask to invite other youth. Sometimes when you do invite other youth over, they never show or don’t reply to your message. Which can be discouraging, making you not want to be the person to reach out anymore as you feel like you always fail. So sometimes you just want to step back from it and let someone else take over the social life.
How To Say No:
- Be polite – You know you’re tired but they don’t need to know that. Say no but be apologetic about it because they didn’t mean any harm by asking you. They just appreciate your gifts as well.
- Offer someone else up – Maybe someone else in your youth has the same talent but keeps getting over looked, give them the opportunity. You might surprise yourself and find that the quietest person in your group is an undercover extrovert when it comes to preaching.
- Honesty is the best policy – Just tell your youth leader or the elder asking you how you feel. Sometimes you are just not in the spirit and it’s okay to let them know that. You don’t want to get up there and you not in the right head space.
- Help – Contribute in other ways to the team. Still help put the whole program together. Volunteer to help in another field, whether that’s P.A or children story, try something new. You can still use your gifts but in a less stressful capacity.
We hope these tips will help next time your youth leader says, “Youth program coming up, so who’s doing what?”
AUTHOR: Ke Besa