YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 - (Page 23)

Managing Your Ministry by Syler Thomas Why Names Matter “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” This line from Juliet’s famous speech on the balcony to her tragic lover Romeo is one of the most famous from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. “Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?” also has to do with his name; Juliet is not looking for Romeo, but rather is asking why. She’s saying: Why must you be called Romeo? He is a Montague and she a Capulet, so their love is forbidden. Juliet knows the power of a name, and as youth ministers, so must we. In regard to youth ministry, I ask you, as well: What’s in a name, and how much importance do we put on learning and using students’ names as quickly as possible? The Power of a Name Do not underestimate the power of knowing a student’s first and last name. Knowing their names is the first step toward telling students they are known and belong. There is no substitute for walking up to a student and saying, “Hey, Cameron—how has your week been?” This is especially true as it relates to new students. When you meet a student one week and the following week, you are able to walk up and greet her by name, you are saying to her: I know who you are and you are important to me, to this church and to God. Set Aside Your Excuses “But I’m terrible with names,” you might say. There are people who genuinely have a difficult time with names, but that also can be an easy excuse—albeit an unacceptable excuse for youth ministers. Learning names takes time, but is worth the effort. You won’t always remember every name, every time. You might make a fool out of yourself trying to remember, but students will understand as long as you are trying. The minute you give up, the minute you start calling a student An alternative is to learn a student’s “chief,” “big guy” or “friend,” they’ll first and last names together. “Sarah know. They can see through the façade. Brown” is more memorable than just “Sarah.” Use a mnemonic device, such Find a Way To Remember as visualizing a bird when you meet Where is a good place to start? At the Robin, or find a clever nickname when beginning of every school year, start you meet Mike Smith (one that doesn’t with nametags. The first two youth annoy the student) to help you remember groups of the fall, I have every student each person. (and leader) wear a nametag so everyStudents need to know they belong. one can be on equal footing, and we Just knowing their names isn’t enough, have mixer games that force students to but it’s an important place to start. meet new people. Another method is to take all the newcomer cards each Sunday night and A native Texan, Syler Thomas is the high-school pastor at Christ Church remember who they are. Don’t be shy Lake Forest in the northern suburbs of Chicago. He is also co-author of the about going up to someone you met book Game Plan: Practical Wisdom for the College Experience, available at recently and say: “Your name escapes www.priority-publishing.com. His blog me, but let me see if I can remember.” is www.syberspace.typepad.com. “Do not underestimate the power of knowing a student’s first and last name. Knowing their names is the first step toward telling students they are known and belong.” YouthWorkerJournal.com | March/April 2009 23 http://www.priority-publishing.com http://www.syberspace.typepad.com http://www.YouthWorkerJournal.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009

YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 Contents Feedback Youth Culture Update Culture Watch Encountering God Campus Ministry The Urban Take Sight Unseen Worldview Soul Care Managing Your Ministry 10 Minutes in God's Word From IQ to CQ Caring Amidst Crisis Risky Business When Tragedy Gets Personal Deaths in the Family Stopping Suicide Blessed Are They Who Mourn Healing the Healer Resources for Working with Crisis Tools Stirring it Up

YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009

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