Most of us get involved in youth ministry because we love teenagers. Perhaps God gives us that love when he calls us to work with teenagers, or maybe we are just the crazy people in the church. Teaching teenagers, spending time with them, and sharing with them comes easy to many of us. Unfortunately, our desire to work with teenagers sometimes keeps us from building a team of leaders. Lone Ranger youth ministry works for a while, but we truly limit what we can offer to teenagers to our own gifts. So, when you get tired of being the Lone Ranger and are ready to take off the mask and at least find a Tonto, how do you do it?

1. Pray. I know, that is the good Christian answer, but I’m serious. God is in the business of calling people to specific ministry and he has the advantage of already knowing whose hearts he has been preparing to work with teenagers. Ask him to show you who he is calling into the ministry.

2. Ask. I like questions like this: You know, you have some amazing gifts that I think would make a tremendous difference in the lives of our teenagers. I wonder if you would consider talking with me about getting involved in our youth ministry. Remember that people will be much more open to working with you in ministry if you can be specific about what you would like them to do. I want leaders on my team, not just people who will do what I ask. If you want to excite a leader, ask her to lead a ministry, not just hang out.

3. Train. In a small youth group, you may not feel like you are sure what you are doing, so training someone else may be daunting. Ask the new leader(s) to attend a conference with you. Ask a veteran youth leader to meet with you and your leaders to train you in a specific area of youth ministry. Read a youth ministry book together and take time on a weekly basis to talk about what you are learning.

4. Bond. There is nothing worse than teenagers being taught by adults who don’t like each other. Work at building solid relationships with others on your team. Develop trust. Have fun together. Dream together, Eat together. Pray together.

There is nothing better for your youth ministry than a team of adults who love them and are using their spiritual gifts to invest in teenagers. Start praying and take a look around. Who is God calling to work with you?