Game Time Head Coach

A great Head Coach, a Student Pastor, builds a program that lasts long after their tenure. We look at college football programs, and we judge the team skills, developments, and record off of the progress the Head Coach has made in their football program. I believe that Student Pastors must look at their position from that of a Head Coach and not a stepping stone of a Coordinators' perspective. When we get hired at a church, we should plan for our tenure to be long term and building a winning culture. 

I have come to churches where they had a winning culture and foundation, but I have come to churches where the culture was a rebuilding program. No matter what position you find yourself in at your church, please approach it with a long tenure in mind.  

10 Signs of a Great Head Coach (Student Pastor)

10. They ask for help. The greatest coaches never lead alone; instead, they find people in their ministry and program to help them lead. I have struggled with this in my own life, I have many leaders on my team who would serve if I asked them, but I never asked them. We must seek help from those who serve on our team. 

9. They seek wisdom and counsel from other people. No matter how long you have been doing Student Ministry, you do not know everything. We must seek Godly Wisdom and counsel for our personal and ministerial lives.

8. They have their team (students) buy-in. What gain is it for you as a Student Pastor if you cast a vision and a winnable scorecard for your ministry, but never have it implemented. Share with your students where you are taking them, and from experience, a higher buy-in happens when you ask them to join you in creating buy-in moments. 

7. Great Head Coaches communicate well. You are in Student Ministry! You must talk to your students. Do not approach your messages like you are preaching at the White House, but also prepare your messages for your students; they deserve your best. Secondly, do not make yourself standoffish or distant from your students in the back of a room. Communicate and be present in their lives. 

6. They never stop learning. No matter how long you have been doing Student Ministry or been on church staff, make sure you schedule time daily to keep learning and growing. I plan an hour a day to read because I never want to stop learning.

5. They are authentic. Be the real you; no one likes a phony. Do not become something you are not. Students will be quicker to accept what you are saying when they realize that you are authentic. But it will take longer for acceptance when you are fake. 

4. They pray. Every Student Pastor must daily be in God's Word and praying. I would challenge you to have a prayer journal to pray for your students and your adult leadership. Both your students and leaders are on the front lines of spiritual warfare, and we must be praying for them.

3. They are humble and teachable. I love being on a church staff where each of us is teachable. I go to other pastors and leaders on our team to learn and to grow. Others can see some things that we cannot know because we are close to an event or ministry. We must stay humble and teachable if we seek to have a long tenure.

2. They love their team (Students and Families). If you do not love your students and their families, then shame on you. We have been called to serve, minister, invest, love, and shepherd students and their families. I am thankful for those in my ministry, whom I love and cherish. My wife and I would do anything for any of our students or their families. 

1. They are approachable. People need to be able to reach you and approach you. Never make yourself so busy that you become unapproachable. I want people to talk to me, and I want them to feel free to reach out to my family if anything is going on in their lives. Stay approachable!