It happens every year. No matter how many times I test the lights, there is always one tiny bulb that gets dislodged as I hang them on the roof of my house. It’s not a fun moment to figure out which one is missing, but it’s essential to fix it. If there is one bulb out on my house, it’s an eyesore, and that’s not okay because of environments matter.
Whether you are decorating the house or space where you hold programs, we all know environments matter. They are the first impressions for many of our teens and their parents. They are the welcome to a relationship with Christ, and if we are not careful, they can turn people away.
You don’t need a big budget to create a quality environment that invites teens to get to know the local church and engage in a relationship with Christ. But, what you do need is INTENTIONALITY. When it comes to creating an irresistible environment, you need to be INTENTIONAL with the:
Most youth ministries aren’t blessed with their own space. The reality is that we’re left to share space and equipment, and when that happens, it can cause stress. Regardless of whether you share your area or have your own, it needs a plan. By having a solid method for your space, you’ll be able to set it up and break it down with efficiency.
Start by setting up space in the way that you think would be ideal (You might have to do this on a day where you have a lot of time). Next, take a picture of that space, track how much time it took you to set things up, and note where you got the equipment.
Once you’ve completed set-up, take it down and track how much time it took and where you put things back. Write it all down and share it with your coworkers who share the space. Talk about what’s realistic and helpful when it comes to storing the equipment. Discuss a default setting so that when people are finished with the equipment, they can put the space back to something manageable.
When you have a plan, it also helps you with recruiting volunteers. Instead of just saying, “I need help with this.” you give them clarity on what needs to be done. The extra help will allow you to set-up the ideal space for your teens.
An irresistible environment has people who are filled with joy. There was one time we recruited a volunteer, and all she did as teens walked in was read a book. She didn’t smile or say hello, and the only time she changed her demeanor is if you approached her. She’s no longer serving in youth ministry.
You want joyful people working at your front door. Look for men and women who are great at greeting teens, learning names, and engaging parents. They don’t need to do anything but assure that teens are in the right place. Having this type of intentional hospitality will set a great first impression and a welcoming environment.
To find these people, hang around Mass and look for men and women who smile and seem friendly. Ask them to commit to 30 minutes each week to say hello and open doors. Let them know their smile is a gift that should be shared.
When someone shows up for the first time, chances are they might not know what to do. It can be especially unnerving for a teenager that doesn’t know anyone to come to your ministry, so having some pre-planned activities is helpful. Some of those activities can be:
We call this our hang out time. It’s about 30 minutes before the program begins and provides introverted and quieter teens an opportunity to acclimate before your program takes off. We encourage adults to move about the space and engage teens who might be looking to connect. No matter what a teen decides to do, we have activities and space for them to get comfortable.
If you want to encounter teens into a relationship with Jesus Christ, your environments have to be equipped to receive them. While your message and small group materials are essential to that encounter, you need to make sure your first impressions remove any barriers.
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