Not wrong, but maybe selling yourself a bit short. Through seeing and knowing you, those students may grow in their knowledge of the God that you serve. Yeah, if it was all about you, then role models would just be a form of idolatry. But if it’s about you pointing students to Christ who otherwise wouldn’t see Him apart from seeing Him in you, then it becomes discipleship.

It’s kinda humbling, huh?

Hate to disagree but Paul makes it clear we are to be models to follow. Check out 1 Cor. 11:1ff; Phil. 3:17; 2 Tim. 4:12; 2 Thess. 3:7.

I think living transparent, [cliche], that is so those who look up realize we’re not perfect is part of the process. It may be great to have a kid [everyone 20 years younger than mean] look up to us but if they idolize the way we dress as well as the way we care for our wives and take time for God they need to be sat down and talked too.

You are a role model.

Check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMzdAZ3TjCA

Peace
Alan

Wow. I affirm the comments before mine! Yes, being a role model is a daunting challenge. Just ask any parent!

Having worked alongside you for a few years, I have no doubt that you will be a fine role model in your role as Student Ministry Worship Director. You have people around you to hold you accountable, to pray for you, you are self-humbling, God-focused, talented and very driven. As long as you remember that our Father is the one who put all of those elements in place, you will be fine.

“If we all pulled out the bones in our closets, it would be totally obvious that none of us is worthy of being a role model. Each of us has made or will make major mistakes in life.”

And this, specifically this, is what qualifies us to be role models – provided we handle that fact correctly.

Be authentic and vulnerable. Don’t try to cover up your mistakes. Talk about them. Talk about what you learned from them. Talk about how you understand more deeply the heart of God because of them.

And then other people will realize, “Hey, I’m not the only one who doesn’t have it all together. And look, that guy is closer to God because of it.”

And because of your weakness, God will be glorified. God has placed his treasure in jars of clay. One of the big failings of the Church is that too often we pretend we are jars of gold.

As long as you approach your failings with authenticity and humility (which it seems you have no issue with), you will be a great role model.

Your comment reminds me quite a bit of a book a read last semester in class. “Leading with a Limp.” Check it out, great book.

I do realize that I will be a role model whether I want to or not…and despite some of my comments, I am alright with that.

I just think back to the people that were role models in my life growing up and each and every one of them let me down in small ways and in big ways. Mostly because I placed expectations that were unfair.

I think you nailed it on the head, we need better definition of role models.
Instead of judging someone by how big their following is, we can judge them by their integrity and leadership.

I do have to admit that I follow others based off of their platform and often need to examine why i am following.

When Kathy was pregnant with Peter, we went to a Michael W. Smith concert. All through the concert, as people were applauding, he gave us a thumbs up.

Well, I thought it was a thumbs up. What he was really doing was reminding us that instead of applauding him, we should be praising God.

I think as long as you’re sharing about your bones, brokenness, sinfulness, journey with God and joys, then you’ll also direct people to God and you’ll be a great role model.

Tyler,

I knew a youth pastor/worship leader who was described as someone who after he led worship you forgot who led! He had a very natural way of leading others in worship without making it about him. Do you always have to be the center? To speak, solo, pray, etc? The main job of pastors is to equip others. Share the stage and the mic with others. Affirm and thank others publicly. Let people see you as a role model of servant humility not as the most talented musician in the room.

Sounds like you might become a mentor afterall

This is great stuff! Love what you’re doing and can’t wait to follow you on your journey

The trouble with not seeing the world as Jesus did brings us a perception that we are unworthy to be a mentor.

If you are truly forgiven and you know this, you are able to show the love of our Father.

It is part of your becoming. I drive a school bus, so I understand your frustration and not wanting to be a mentor. So don’t ACT like one, just be there for someone.

i think the question you need to ask is why someone is a role model? and what kind of role model are they?

you see there are two people in my life that i would absolutely credit to the things i’m doing today. they inspired me so much that i’ve practically followed their footsteps. and sure, as a teenager, you tend to value the person over God …but isn’t that b/c as a lonely teenager you need someone tangible to connect w/? yes, it is. but as i have gotten older in my life, i realize to that they played a huge part in pointing me toward jesus and my relationship w/ Him is my own. and yet, they’re still my role models and people that i will be forever grateful for.

think of it, tyler, in terms of HOW you can lead them. HOW you can be a good role model. and WHAT God wants you to teach them. they’ll get it. they’ll understand. don’t pride yourself as the role model by being TOO humble. just be who you were created to be.

Too humble…that is interesting. I’m not disagreeing and I think you might be making a very valid point. It just isn’t common to refer to someone as too humble. When it comes to leadership and mentoring I think we often value too proud more than too humble.

Tyler:

How about the Pillsbury Dough Boy – now there is a ROLL model !

Dave

too humble: some who is so self deprecating that they can’t take a compliment or someone who might say, “i dont’ want to be a role model,” or “i’m just not good enough, Glory to God!” this is ALSO – very much pride and an insult to God. of course you’re not good enough! But God’s using you anyway, so move forward and choose the person you’re going to be- be that person and be confident….just not too confident

Yeah, I’m with Alan Wilkerson (and Paul and… dare I say the Bible?). Not only are we role models whether we like it or not, we should be.

-Marshall Jones Jr.

Wow, I definitely did not see that coming.

My dad is not perfect, but I still look up to him anyway. He always has bits and pieces of wisdom here and there that I can learn from.

Another one that I don’t necessarily look up (because she is shorter than me), but admire the wit and smarts..is Ash

(now don’t be too humble now lil sis! )

here’s a perspective,

The nation Israel wanted a leader (role model) and it failed. because the focus was not ultimately on God.
So role models , although helpful should not be so important.

aw gee, thanks yonas. guess i got the asian crowd fooled! ha ha. am i still shorter if i wear heels?

and i’d agree that often i can learn a great deal from someone’s mistakes every bit as much as i can from their successes

I don’t know about ‘crowd’…but you got one fooled!

Depending on the heels..(and depending whether I’m also wearing them or not) you might still be shorter than I am.

(not saying it’s good or bad btw).