2018 Beach Retreat Leader Manual

CHARACTERISTICS OF A LEADER
GENUINE LOVE OF CHRIST
(2 Corinthians 5:15) “For the love of Christ controls us . . .”
No other motivation is sufficient to carry you through the
demanding week of Beach Retreat. Pray that you will be filled
with Christ’s “agape” love that gives and gives and gives
without expecting a response.
SINCERE LOVE FOR STUDENTS
(Romans 12:9) “Let love be genuine.”
Not everyone can tolerate teenagers! If you are uncomfortable
with their music, language and culture, it could be an
indication you will have difficulty in relating to them. Don’t
fake it. They can spot a phony a mile away.
FLEXIBILITY
(2 Timothy 4:2) “Preach the word, be ready in season
and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great
patience and instruction.”
This, of course, does not mean that you do not have a
plan or purpose and direction as a leader. It just means
that you will be involved in some unstructured situations
and changing schedules. Each day will have a different
set of circumstances. If you are not flexible, you will be
totally frustrated.
ENTHUSIASM
(Colossians 3:23) “Whatever you do, do your work heartily,
as for the Lord rather than for men.”
Critical spirits and negative comments are contagious, but so is
enthusiasm! You must sell the teenagers on everything: food,
Silent Sounds, morning classes, evening services and, of course,
the Lord. Ask questions positively! Get your students in the habit
of saying “yes” and you will be surprised how easy it is to catch
this attitude.
CHEERFULNESS
(Philippians 4:4) “Rejoice in the Lord.”
A good sense of humor will get you through many difficult
circumstances and add to the enjoyment of all. The constant
reminder of what Christ has done and is continuing to do for
us should always cause us to rejoice.
SENSITIVITY
(Philippians 2:4-5) “Let each of you look not only to your
own interests, but also the interests of others. Have this
mind among yourselves, which you have in Christ Jesus.”
Compassion is to feel the need of others to the point that
you do something about it. Biblical love is not passive . . . it is
always active. It reaches out. It empathizes. It is personal. Ask
yourself, what would Christ do?
CONSISTENCY OF SPIRITUAL LIFE
(John 15:5) “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who
abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit, for
apart from Me you can do nothing.”
(Philippians 4:6) “Have no anxiety about anything, but in
everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving
let your requests be made known to God.”
There is no other way to be an effective leader apart from
a daily personal walk with Christ. Make time for prayer and
Bible study. Seek out someone with whom you can share
your discoveries.
PATIENCE
(Romans 12:12) “Rejoice in your hope and be patient in
tribulation, be constant in prayer.”
To be in a condominium with a group of hyper teenagers is not
easy. Sometimes we want to be policemen instead of patient
friends. Never discipline a teenager while you are angry.
“Love from the center of who you are”
ROMANS 12:9
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