"What I Wish I Knew When I Started Youth Ministry" is from guest blogger Betsy Hanzelin on Jan Edmiston's Church for Starving Artists blog. You'll find great wisdom whether you've just started or are more than a few years in. Most of the advice applies not only to youth ministry but to those working with children too.
The core of what Betsy offers is precisely what we've been saying for more than 50 years...relationships matter. You'll find her idea that as the lead ministry person, your relationship with your students should be at the bottom of the list both challenging and spot on. I'm uplifted by her suggestions as to how to nurture your volunteers, and how that lays a foundation for ministry sustainability and health.