The following post was written by Ben Trueblood, Director of LifeWay Student Ministry
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Leaders are always seeking improvement. They are teachable. They put themselves in relationships and environments that foster leadership growth. Being a student pastor is being a leader. You’re a leader of students, parents, adult volunteers, and in some cases other student ministry staff. I am a leader as well and I know the moment that I choose to stop growing in my leadership is the moment that I forfeit my right to lead. The good news is that there are many places that we can go to grow in our leadership.
That is one of the focuses of this blog: to help you grow as a student pastor and as a leader. There are also numerous books that you can read, relationships that you can be involved in and conferences you can attend. As a student pastor I often found the conference choice a difficult one. There are many to choose from and the content can be so diverse that it often left me wondering what exactly I was going to get out of them. Because of budget, I knew that my conference choice was an important one. I wanted to max out the student ministry and leadership knowledge that I would be exposed to, as well as have the opportunity to build relationships that would continue to challenge me after the conference was over.
This difficult conference decision ended for me when I found the Youth Pastor Summit. Here are the reasons why I loved this conference as a student pastor, and why I believe you should make Youth Pastor Summit your conference of choice for student ministry and leadership growth:
- The content is focused on youth pastors. What you hear and experience at YPS will directly apply to student ministry and will help you grow as a student pastor and a leader.
- It is put on by two organizations who are deeply committed to serving you as student pastors and have a high respect for your role in discipling students and their families.
- You will have the opportunity to build relationships with other youth pastors. These relationships can be an excellent source of ongoing growth, challenge, and fresh ideas for you as you continue to build the relationships that begin at YPS.
- You will hear from some of the top student ministry leaders and leadership experts in the country.
- Breakout sessions are specifically designed for you as a student pastor. I can’t say this enough. No fluff or randomness in the breakouts here. They truly are power packed sessions where you will be challenged and provided with applicable material.
- It is a two-day experience not on a Wednesday or Sunday. This was important for me because it meant that I could get back to my church relatively quickly without missing those two very important days. It will also make this an easier conversation with your pastor or direct supervisor.
- You will be encouraged. You will be poured into by the conference leaders. You will have the opportunity to recharge.
- It is a free event. All you have to do is get to one of the locations and pay for meals outside of the lunches, which are provided.
The moment that you stop growing as a leader is the moment that you begin to forfeit your right to lead. I know that your conference choice is important to you as a student pastor and as a leader. Youth Pastor Summit made a difference in my life and ministry. I know it can do the same for you. For more information on Youth Pastor Summit you can head here.
