Youth ministry programming is only half the job of a youth minister. To truly grow disciples of Jesus Christ you need to know how to make the next generation feel a part of the local church.
Courtesy of VinothChandar/Creative Commons License
That means looking for opportunities where they can lead. While peer leadership is important, it will only get a teenager so far. If you want to truly grow disciples and future leaders you need to:
When teens are involved in the weekend it teaches them ownership. It will help them understand what goes into the weekend. This will increase investment and enthusiasm.
Teens who are involved in the weekend liturgy now will know how to be a part of it later in life. They will know how to lead, serve and be a contributing member of a future local parish.
Teenagers are more than just “helpers”. They have ideas and the ability to think outside the box. When you give teens the opportunity to lead their peers and other adults you:
On top of helping teens grow in leadership you’ll be able to tackle problems and situations with a fresh perspective.
Mentoring is a powerful tool for growing disciples. One of the easiest ways to create a mentoring program is by asking adults who are involved in the weekend to walk alongside of a teen serving in the same ministry.
Make it simple and ask them to “Check In” with the teen regularly. If they come across something that’s inspirational to share it. Encourage them to challenge the teen to grow in their ministry and faith.
Teens need resources to grow. You can take them to conferences (This is where I take my teens HERE) or give them the books you read. Look at them in the same way you look at your adult volunteers. Set them up for success by investing in them as current leaders.
When you start looking at your students like future and current leaders it will change the way you do ministry. It’ll no longer be about creating programs that entertain. Your ministry will be a place where teens go and grow deeper.
[reminder] What resources do you share with student leaders? [/reminder]It can be a struggle to get your ministry noticed by the rest of the church. As a youth minister you know teens can contribute and have an impact....
In the book 7 Practices of Effective Ministry Andy Stanley stresses that churches need to think steps and not programs. Youth ministry needs to do...
Youth ministry can feel like an island. Even after 10 years of youth ministry their are moments where I feel alone, and abandoned by the rest of the...