Summary

This video discusses the importance of using the 'Vitals' framework to evaluate and build a healthy youth ministry. The Vitals framework includes five key areas: biblical truth, spiritual transformation, healthy community, missional living, and leadership development. Lead the Generation emphasizes measuring and evaluating the right things, focusing on leading indicators (actions they can control) rather than lagging indicators (outcomes they cannot directly control). The video provides practical examples of measuring and evaluating each of the vital areas, stressing the importance of creating opportunities for growth rather than solely focusing on results. The conversation also highlights the significance of prayer, personal spiritual growth, and equipping leaders as essential components of a thriving youth ministry.

Main Points

The Importance of Measuring the Right Things

We need to change what is being measured to change the ministry's focusand mission. If the wrong things are measured, leaders will revert to theirpersonal strengths and comfort zones. The video introduces leading andlagging indicators, using a business example to illustrate the difference.Evaluating Biblical TruthLead the Generation suggests measuring biblical truth by evaluating whetherstudents are offered opportunities to grow their knowledge of Scripture andits application. This could include teaching them to read and understand theBible during sermons or lessons.

Evaluating Spiritual Transformation

For spiritual transformation, we recommend measuring personal spiritual disciplines, such as having a daily quiet time and interceding for leaders and families. We also suggest evaluating whether corporate opportunities for experiencing Jesus, such as prayer times or altar responses, are offered during youth nights or events.

Evaluating Healthy Community

To evaluate a healthy community, we suggest measuring whether multiple opportunities for students to interact with leaders and each other are provided during youth nights. We emphasize creating spaces for organic community to develop, even if it takes time.

Evaluating Missional Living

For missional living, we recommend measuring whether opportunities for students to live on mission are offered, such as serving at youth nights, church, or mission trips. We also suggest celebrating and showcasing missional living and taking offerings for missional projects.

Evaluating Leadership Development

We suggest measuring whether leaders are equipped and given opportunities to take the following steps to evaluate leadership development.This could include sending them resources, praying with them, or providing opportunities to use their gifts in leadership roles.

Closing Thoughts

The video shares a quote from Tim Keller, emphasizing the importance of giving glory to God for successes and relying on Him during failures rather than basing identity on personal efforts. Youth Leaders are encouraged to evaluate their ministries based on the Vitals framework and identify leading and lagging indicators for each area.

Action Items

• Offer students opportunities to grow their knowledge of biblical truth and its application during sermons and lessons.

• Measure personal spiritual disciplines, such as having a daily quiet time and interceding for leaders and families.

• Offer corporate opportunities for students to experience Jesus, such as prayer times or altar responses, during youth nights or events.

• During youth nights, provide multiple opportunities for students to interact with leaders and each other, creating spaces for organic community to develop.

• Offer opportunities for students to live missionally, such as serving at youth nights, church, or mission trips.

• Celebrate and showcase missional living, and take offerings for missional projects.

• Equip leaders by sending them resources, praying with them, and providing opportunities to use their gifts in leadership roles.

• Evaluate the ministry based on the Vitals framework, identifying leading and lagging indicators for each area.