Youth Leaders: Everything We Do Matters!

As a youth leader we are called and expected by God to live our lives to a higher standard as stated in 1 Timothy 3:1-7:


1 Timothy 3:1-7 says Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. ²Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, ³ not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. ⁴ He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. ⁵ (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) ⁶ He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. ⁷ He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.


There is a ton of meat to this passage but for this post I want to focus on what it means to be above reproach because it speaks to the gray areas of life that can hinder our influence.  The simplest way I can explain it is if any of our words or actions could be perceived by parents, students or anybody as negative or questionable DON'T DO IT OR SAY IT!  Some people think well that's not fair, again read the passage above, as leaders we can't just do whatever we want, we must be above reproach, respectable and have a good reputation with outsiders.  Here are some above reproach areas to look at (side note I don't list these things to point fingers because Lord knows when I was a leader I messed up on all of them):


1.  Our attitude when playing sports.  Are we too competitive, sore losers or dirty players? 

2.  How do we react to a rude waitress/people?  Are we rude back or gracious?

3.  What are our posts of facebook and twitter like?  Are we negative, use inappropriate language, bash people?

4.  How is our language?  Are we bringing life or death with our words?

5.  What kind of movies, tv shows and music are we taking in?  Are they filled with perverse language, nudity or other inappropriate content?

6.  Are we flirtatious with students of the opposite sex or can our actions be perceived that way?

7.  How do we control our anger?  Do we lose control of show self control?

8.  When we mess up are we humble and make it right or are we prideful make excuses or blame others?

This is just a short list but I share it to show everything we do matters and will affect our influence in a positive or negative way.  A saying we use a lot and live by at People's Church is perception is reality.  If it can be perceived in a negative way by anybody we won't do it or will change it.  That action isn't worth losing the ability to disciple and reach out to students.  Therefore, in all areas of our lives let's be above reproach, respectable and have a good reputation with outsiders!

Examine your heart, words and actions and ask yourself this question: What do I need to change to live a life above reproach?