principles of ministry: Instinct vs knowledge and training

Instinct vs knowledge and training. This is rather philosophical for this blog, but is still an important topic for every youth worker to think about.

• Some people do have good instincts. But even the best will some instinctively do the wrong things, even a bad thing. Instinct needs to be tempered by reason
• Some people do not have good instincts and must rely on knowledge and training. These people often do less harm.
• Regardless of whether relying on instinct or conscious choice, decisions should always be made in advance so there is time to rethink, adjust or reject.
• One should always be thinking ahead: “if we do X, then these are the possible outcomes and consequences”
• Try to always have someone else around to double check your decisions
• Never plan on “winging it” even if you are good at that. You probably aren't as good at it as you think you are
• Sometimes we have to run on instinct because the situation wasn't as expected or planned, such as when someone is injured. However, if you have planned ahead, nailed down all that you can nail down, then your instinct can focus on the unexpected and not be overwhelmed by trying to decide too many things at once
• As I'll talk about in other posts, surprise activities need to be surprises to others, not you. They should be carefully planned out. (Favorite example: planning to surprise a group by taking them out for ice cream, only to get there and find that a) they're closed; b) they don't take credit cards)