First steps

Hopefully i start at my new church officially next week and with the date approaching I've been thinking about what I'd like to do whenever i started at a new church.

So... In no particular order...

• Observer for the first week. Carry around a small notebook and jot down anything that springs to mind. What questions need to be answered or explanations given to those viewing the church as a visitor, outsider or upstart minister. Get a vibe for the people and the church services.

• Create a week, month, term and year planner. Place on church events, youth ministry routines, children's ministry link-ins and wider church activities. Work out what events are non-negotiable for the youth ministry.

• Meet with as many "main players" as possible. This would include meeting with the ministry staff independently, the youth ministry leaders, young adult small group leaders, the church secretary and treasurer, local scripture teachers/co-ordinators and other local youth ministers (both within and outside of the denomination).

• Get my hands on the local Lifeline telephone counselor resource folder and create one of my own. Contact local sexual health centres, counselling centres and other places who can provide answers, services or resources that you can not. I did this at Balgowlah when i broke my collarbone, and even though i never had to delve into the folders, it was good to know the info was on hand.

• See what connections the church already has in the community and abroad. Find out what missionaries, retirement homes and non-profit organisations are already being supported, who the contact person is and what opportunities could arise to assist in the future.

• Collate all previous information that you can get your hands on (the previous youth minister could be useful here). I spent my first few days at Balgowlah doing this and dug up a few hidden gems.

• Finally, look at the previous years youth ministry programs and studies, church council reports and church/youth ministry budgets. See if any area is missing from the programs and where the church "puts its money where its mouth is."