Equipping Leaders

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A guest post from Mary Kendall Barker...

As I think about what it means to equip leaders well, one major thing comes to mind: confidence. Leaders need to believe that they have A) been equipped by the Lord and B) have been given tangible tools to lead their high school friends well. There are a few ways that come to mind as I think of how to accomplish these 2 things.

1.     It is important that our Capernaum leaders have been trained to do good Young Life.
What do I mean by this? It is tempting as a Capernaum staff person to just train our Capernaum leaders on disabilities and Capernaum Club, but we need to make sure they have a good understanding of how all Young Life leaders do contact work, club, campaigners, camp, etc. Our leaders in Knoxville are required to go through typical training with an added emphasis on Capernaum after they have been placed in hopes that they will feel a part of the entire leadership of Knoxville and catch the vision for our city and not just Capernaum.
2.     Going to do contact work with our leaders.
3.     Remembering we are doing this because of Jesus, not because we are another program for kids with disabilities.  
4.     Pray out loud with your leaders. When your leaders hear how you pray for this ministry and kids specifically, they too can learn how to pray and what to pray as they lift their friends up to the Lord.
5.     Verbal affirmation. Telling your leaders often whether it’s out loud or in an encouraging note, what specifically they are doing well. That way when you have something you need to correct them on, you will have a good base to come from.
6.     Have them go to contact work with traditional YL leaders and vice versa. If there are other leaders in your area have them come with you to the special ed classroom or to Special Olympics. Then go to the lunchroom with them. This gives your area such a sense of “togetherness” as you reach every kid in your city.  



This is a difficult task, but a very important one as we equip our leaders to love their high school friends to the best of their abilities. I love that the back bone of this ministry is volunteer leaders who freely give of themselves for the sake of the Gospel! Praise be to God!

Mary Kendall has been on staff four years in Knoxville, TN, after serving a volunteer leader in college.  Mary Kendall has a sister, Molly, with Down Syndrome.  Mary Kendall will be married in two weeks and continues to help our mission grow in reaching every kid!  

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