Leadership Training

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PRACTICALITY IN PEER MINISTRY LEADERSHIP by Nikki Rud

Nikki Rud, Zion Lutheran, Grand Rapids, MN  

From the very beginning, we saw the benefits of training senior high youth in the skills of PML.  Invaluable assets such as how to listen with their hearts, noticing non-verbal language, deepening their relationship with Christ by loving their fellow peers – all of these things and more strengthened the individuals trained and helped create a bond within our program.  However, shortly after returning home from the training the question of “Now what?” was raised, and truthfully, I didn’t really have an answer.  Sure, we had our textbook answers to the question, but the practicality of achieving what we dreamed was an entirely different matter.  Where we are today as a team has been achieved through a series of Holy Spirit moments and even what I would call accidents of greatness.

First and foremost, we started meeting weekly following our Senior High Youth Group.  It was set up to be a 15 minute check-in, but it has never, ever been that quick.  Much to the dismay of parents waiting out in the parking lot, the meeting time usually goes about an hour.  During this time the kids are encouraged to share moments in which they’ve used their skills of Peer Ministry.  Most of the time I hear stories of small triumphs where they successfully “WHEATed” someone or how they practiced their skills in listening.  However, there have been many times that the conversations got much deeper discussing times of trial where they had to bring in a caring adult or be a resource bridge for their friends to get the help they needed.  Also, at this time, I encourage other Peer Ministers to add their insight and therefore strengthen their bond as a team.  Having this weekly meeting has been important to the success of our program.

Another thing brought about by the Holy Spirit’s path for us was adding Peer Ministers to each and every trip I lead within Zion, regardless of the age group.  Zion pays for one or two (depending on the size of the group) and they are given responsibilities such as head counting and leading prayer.  However, before we leave on the trip I have a brief visit with them about other, less public, responsibilities. For younger children on a trip (such as Valleyfair) the PM’s are told to watch for kids separating from their buddy groups.  They are also asked to find ways to casually get to know the kids in an effort to build relationships.  These minor and almost undetectable efforts create a way to get to know the younger kids, so that if in the future they are in need of a caring peer in their life, they know who they can turn to.  It’s all well and good to tell a newly trained Peer Minister to just go and do, but creating a path to the going and doing is what truly allows them to achieve what they have set out to do.  Even when the trip is mostly involving adults (like our cross-generational trip to the Twin’s Game), Peer Ministers are brought along and introduced to the group helping them to have a reputation as a respected team within the church.  The Peer Ministers at Zion truly lead the way, setting an example of deliberate and intentional Christ-like behavior for all generations.

Along the same lines as bringing Peer Ministers on trips, we also have started including Peer Ministers as helpers in all of our elementary and junior high aged programs.  It began out of necessity, as growing numbers of youth left me needing more assistance.  It didn’t take long, however, for me to have a “duh” moment…why hadn’t I been doing this all along?!?  The Peer Ministers were not only helping me out but they were role models for the youth and able to build solid foundational relationships.  Especially in regards to our Rascals – K-5th grade – program, having these “big kids” present has allowed them to play, pray, sing and learn together forming lasting bonds.

I have heard many stories over the years from Peer Ministers going off to college or jobs and how their skills in PML helped them to not only get through difficult times but also to help others through their new life transitions and tribulations.  They are no longer just Peer Ministers – they are the church being raised to love like Jesus and will continue to be in service to God through their deliberate actions.

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