I developed a ‘be’ list a number of years ago. I realized how often I would reference expectations to my volunteers but did not have anything for them to go to throughout the year. An easy to remember, functional list of items we could all agree on and remind each other of in the moment. Whatever the ministry moment might be.
A ‘BE’ list is a little like a protocol, but does not need to be official. It is for you and your team.
So, here is my ‘be’ list from years ago, updated a few times, and adjusted for you! I use it to this day in Lead Freely workshops, in the churches in which I offer transitional services, and wherever people will let me talk about it. Assumptions removed, helping each other work better together, easily implemented.
Be Aware
Take the time to look around and see what people are up to, not just those closest to you. Be aware of your surroundings and think of what possibly ‘could’ happen, not just what is happening. Your awareness is necessary not just of the physical surroundings, but also of the social and spiritual realm. Consider yourself a ‘moment’ person when dealing with your group.
Be Active
Don’t catch yourself continually sitting in a leadership clump. If you suddenly realize that you have been spending a lot of time with certain leaders and are not ‘aware’ of what your group is up to, then you are clumping. See yourself and your relationship with your group as active, doing your best to put yourself into their realm.
Be Encouraging
As a leader you are no longer simply a chaperone, you become a pastor and a mentor. Even when people are acting like jerks and you are tired you need to be an encouragement, even in discipline. If you find that you or someone around you is using language that calls people down, then encourage them to be encouraging!
Be Constructive
Consider part of your role on this team to be helping the team as a whole to do well in all aspects of the ministry. As part of your call to this ministry do your best to be understanding and uplifting to the team, no matter what the task at hand. This is like encouragement, but practical in nature. Even if the schedule/game/session/whatever is not working out the way it was planned, you need to help the team to be built up continue working towards our goal.
Be Flexible
Along the theme of being constructive, we as a team need to be flexible with the schedule. The main purpose of what we do is bringing people into relationship with Christ through relationship with us and each other. If the elements of the event have to be changed but our main purpose is intact, then we’re still on the right page. Don’t use this as an excuse for being slack, but be flexible!
Be Unified
You are part of a team, and a team works together. If a student comes to you with a request, find out if they have already asked another leader, then stick with their word. Consistency and good boundaries help create good relationships with students. Disunity creates an environment where students test the boundaries rather than build relationships.
So there you have it! Use it, adjust it, put it to work in your setting in your way. Let me know what you think!
Lead Freely 