The First Time

This Sunday a student in our ministry experienced something I did a few decades ago, leading worship for the first time in front of the church. There were a few rough patches, but overall he did pretty good.

It got me thinking to how we have to do so much more than just teach Jesus to students; we have to let them experience and lead and in turn help bring up the next generation of pastors, teachers, musicians and the like. Some steps I have found useful in doing this with our students:

1. Clear Expectations
How long are they teaching for? When do you need to songs for worship? Who is making the PowerPoint slides? Nothing is harder than leading when you don’t know what’s expected of you. Make sure both you and they fully understand what is expected of them.

2. Support
It’s hard to be up front for the first time, thinking everything hangs on your shoulders. Make sure they know you are there for them. Surround them with other adults and students who want nothing but the best for them, letting them know they are living into who God has made them to be.

3. Review
Every time a student leads worship, speaks, leads a game, or does anything for the first time, I like to sit down with them after and ask how they felt the night went and to offer help for the next time. If they know you're trying to make them better and not criticize, the meeting goes great. Plus, it lets them know that you appreciated what they did and you support them enough to let them lead again.

And by far the most important: The willingness to let things not be perfect. Do all you can to foster an atmosphere where perfection is not the goal. Instead, we want involvement, people using their gifts, even if it is a little sloppy the first go around.