As a Pastor, Youth Pastor, or Youth Leader here are five things that teenagers need to see in you before they will really step in and begin to follow you.
1 - Authenticity
Check out the entire blog on Authenticity by CLICKING HERE
2 - Expertise
Check out the entire blog on Expertise by CLICKING HERE
3 - Love
Teenagers spell love T-I-M-E. The more time you spend with them the more you show you love them. So get into their world. Don't just connect quickly in the hallway at church or simply speak a good message to them from the stage, get into their world. The more you get into their world, the more they will consider getting into yours.
4 - Consistency
There are far too many people in teenagers lives that are here today and gone tomorrow. You cannot be one of those people. Do what you do, over, and over, and over again. When student see that you are in for the long haul, they will begin to walk alongside you.
5 - Vision
Who are you? Why are you here? Where are you going? If you don't know those three things, you are not as influential as the kid they sit next to in Algebra 1. The student next to them, knows who they are and they know what they want. (Well at least they act like they do.) When you know where you are going and cast a compelling reason why you are going there, teenagers will stand up and follow. Until then, they will continue to follow their friends.