I’ve been doing youth work for years and, despite undertaking wide-ranging studies around theory, theology and practice, there are five simple things I’ve learned about working with young people. These are:
1. Just do it
I think, give it a go. Someone I highly respect in the field of youth work used to have this as their motto, you would go to him with and idea and he would say ‘Just do it!’ Now this did bring some chaos sometimes, but as with the chaos in Genesis 1:2, the spirit would hover over it and bring some sort of order, in some cases. Sometimes the ideas did not work, but that was OK. If you see a need in your church for youth ministry, just do it! If you are a youth worker and you have had a project you have wanted to try, just do it! (I caveat this with speak to your leadership first!)
2. Trust your instincts
Of all the things I say to people when I meet them to talk about youth work in all contexts, whether experienced youth workers, church leaders or volunteers, the thing I say most is ‘Trust your instincts’. Generally I find that most of the people I speak have fairly good instincts. If they think something feels odd then it normally is odd. If they feel something is worth doing, then it normally is. I think it is always good to balance this with speaking to someone you trust.
3. Don’t try to hard
Young people generally are very good at reading you and reading situations. They can see though someone trying too hard to impress. It can be embarrassing both for you and the young person and it will not get you where you think it might. You are an adult – act like one! This gives the young people space to act like young people, and sometimes you will have adult to adult conversations as young people experiment with becoming an adult. Check out I’m Ok, You’re OK by Thomas Harris.
4. Accompanying and listening
I’m aiming in my youth work to accompany young people in their journeys, where they are at, I wrote about it here. We must not forget to engage young people where they are and in what they see. The only really tools we have for this is dialogue, and on that:
‘Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.’
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey
Listen – really listen.
5. Youth work is awkward
Again, I have blogged about this before. This might not apply to you and, while you have a few companions in this, you are in the minority! It’s OK embrace the awkward and go with it!
What are the main things you have learned through your youth work?
James Fawcett is part of CONCRETE and works with the Diocese of London to provide support to youth workers across the Diocese.