I once had a teen ask me, “Did you send me a birthday card?” I was excited by her question, we had just started sending birthday cards through our hospitality team for our high school program. I told her we had sent the card and she said, “Thanks, it really meant a lot.”
Sometimes the smallest gestures have the biggest impact. When it comes to valuing a teenager’s time and presence the small steps add up. If we want teenagers not only coming back each week but choosing the youth ministry over other activities we have to show them value.
So, how do you show teenagers value? Here are 4 signs that you are on the right track:
When a teenager walks into your ministry are they received with open arms or are they just another number? Just saying, “Hello” and telling them to pick up a name tag isn’t good enough. You need to:
Building a hospitality ministry and a small group structure will allow you to reach more teens. Equipping adults to help you connect every teenager will give your ministry a more authentic feel.
To learn more about small groups, sign up for our FREE webinar on September 11th:
I know when I started out I wanted to build the youth ministry that I always wanted as a teen. A ministry like that serves no one. If you want a ministry that’s reaching teens inside and outside the church you need to know who they are.
It’s easy to spend time behind a desk, planning activities or online updating social media. An effective leader is going to be out to the sports fields, into the schools and learning about the surrounding community. If you are nervous to do this on your own partner with other youth ministers, coaches, and teachers.
Don’t get too comfortable because there is always something to be done. As leaders, we need to constantly be growing. Our teams need to always be learning how to lead and growing deeper in our faith.
The next generation needs more than entertainment. They want to be challenged and join a movement that can have an impact on others. You will not be able to provide that for them if you are just mailing it in.
Again, teens want to be a part of something great and growing. Youth ministry should be social and offer service opportunities but it needs to be something more. That more comes from knowing your identity.
That identity comes from knowing your limitations, strengths, and opportunities. What do the people in your congregation offer? What are the problems in your community that need to be addressed? By answering questions like this you can then tell your teens why the church matters in their lives.
For more on discovering your youth ministry’s identity read these posts:
Showing your teens value is more than just teaching them about Christ, it’s showing them His love.
[reminder] What are the other signs that a youth ministry values teenagers? [/reminder]