Walking With Jesus: Be Choosy. But Choose People To Help

Walking With Jesus: A Study Through Mark
What follows is what I feel Jesus is teaching me as I read through the Gospel of Mark

Be Choosy. But Choose People To Help

"After [Jesus healed a large crowd of sick and demon-possessed people], Jesus went up on a mountain and called out the ones he wanted to go with him. And they came to Him. 
Then he appointed twelve of them and called them his apostles. They were to [1] accompany him, [2] and He would send them out to preach and [3] He would give them authority to cast out demons" --Mark 3:15-17


As I read this little blurb in Mark I realized that Jesus didn't do ministry alone. He was the head honcho, but not even for Jesus was He an end to Himself. He used people. He encouraged others to do the work of ministry that He Himself could do. And He did this by having specific people (the disciples) which He chose to do what? to come follow Him, accompany Him in everything He did. a close mentorship. and then He would send them out to do ministry work. 


It should be the same for my ministry work. I don't have to do it alone! But I can pick out adults to walk alongside me and the youth in youth ministry, and give them opportunities to lead and to minister. i can be an equipper for adults. especially if i equip them and don't just throw toss them in the throws of youth ministry without training or ongoing relational and prayerful support!


and i think this is for students too! i can pick out some students with leadership abilities, and plug them into things even: like music worship leading, or middle school ministry, etc ...


the question is, am I choosing people to do the work of ministry alongside me? Cause not even Jesus chose to do it alone. 


some might say Jesus was playing favorites, picking out people to do ministry. but the fact is, not everyone is cut out for it, which is why my church hired me, they felt i was the person who would be "cut out" for youth ministry.


at the same time though, i think the ministry secret is this: i'm not the only one cut out for youth ministry.

i remember a friend once telling me that to do good youth ministry, you gotta work yourself right out of a job. equipping adults (especially parents!) other than yourself to be the youth ministers. equipping students to be the ones doing the work, and planning and leadership, using their abilities for God's glory. 


Sure, all of this requires me to be choosy, and careful of who I choose. But the fact remains: I think I need to choose. I think I need help in Youth Ministry. and to make it this year, I'm going to need the parents along my side. and the students hand in hand. and Christ as the head of it all.