So now that you’ve decided to take your group on a mission trip, the task of planning the trip and bringing everything together begins… There’s the travel to and from the location. The breaking down of your bigger group into smaller teams that will serve together. Preparing your group for the work you’ll be doing (construction or VBS or helping in a homeless shelter). Pre-trip scripture thoughts, worship times and devotions. The list could just keep growing…
A great way to make sure all of the stuff that needs to happen, well… happens, is to give your students the responsibility. But who? Which ones in your group are ready for that challenge? Who is ready? Choosing the right student leaders is actually more important than the “job” you give them.
- Who’s gifted or passionate about a certain area? – just ’cause kids follow the “cool” girl doesn’t mean she should be leading devotions. Who in your group is passionate about God’s Word, loves making sure all the details are perfect, or has worked with their dad’s construction company the past 3 summers? Could those kids lead your pre-trip worship services, make sure all the plans and forms come together on time, and train your group to be ready to build the house?
- Who demonstrates maturity? – giving the responsibility of preparing the prayer journals to someone who is just going to sneak out after lights out the first night is not the best idea…
- Who wants to lead? – it’s really hard to make someone lead, force them to get up in front of the group, or make decisions that affect everyone. Do you have a couple kids in the group who just love to take responsibility? Challenge them with the chance to really use that gift.
- Who does everyone follow? – one definition of leadership is “influence.” If there’s a girl or guy in the group that everyone seems to copy or follow, can you use that “power” for good? Could that teenager plan the travel? If they think camping out on the way there is cool, chances are everyone else will also.
Any one of these ideas alone is not a good enough reason to give one of your youth a position of leadership. But a combination of 2 or 3 could really mean that person is ready for the challenge. Just imagine how easy it will be if you don’t have to handle every detail of getting the trip ready. And how fantastic it will be for the rest of your group to see their peers really leading the group.