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Is Your Youth Ministry Bigger Than A Program?


Numbers were growing, the energy was high and everyone was feeling good. Walking into one of our youth ministry programs you’d think to yourself, “They’ve got it going on.” There was a period in my ministry where the majority of my attention went into building the middle school and high school large and small group programs. As the numbers grew I felt better. As we recruited more leaders, finetuned the worship experience and crafted our messages we heard no complaints. But to think that this ministry was 100% healthy based on two programs would have been FOOLISH.

When it comes to building a healthy youth ministry you need to go beyond the weekly/monthly programs. In fact, if you are short on resources and have a small budget it’s important to approach it in this way. Youth ministry needs to go beyond the youth nights because:

Not Everyone Enjoys A Crowd

There are teens in your youth ministry who are introverted and quiet. Showing up and being a part of a crowd can be draining. If they leave your program feeling exhausted why would they want to come back for more? If your youth ministry is going to reach more teens you need to have a variety of ways for them to engage Christ.

Teens Need To Be More Visible

If teens are only present during hours that no one else in your congregation is around then it’s going to look like you aren’t doing anything for the next generation. What that means is fewer families will know about your ministry and fewer adults are likely to invest in the next generation. Visibility advocates that the next generation is a part of the current church.

It Only Shows Them One Side Of Their Faith

The beauty of being a disciple of Christ is the many different ways we can grow. If all we show teens is one night of praise, worship, and fellowship they are going to struggle to take that with them into adulthood. Our formation should be multidimensional.

But, what does going beyond the youth room look like? How do we grow a healthy and dynamic ministry? It can start with a consistent and sustainable program (And to learn more about that check out the Small Group Huddlebut it also includes:

INTRODUCING THEM INTO FAITH ENRICHENING HABITS

Your programs should be helping teens develop spiritual habits, but there also needs to be a system in place that helps them apply what they learn. For example, if you want your teens to engage in:

  • A DEEPER PRAYER LIFE, connect them to those opportunities by creating them yourself (Adoration service) or introducing them to groups (i.e. Divine Mercy) already in existence.
  • SERVING OTHERS, challenge them to get involved on a regular basis in one of your parish ministry or outreach opportunities.
  • INVESTING IN THE LOCAL CHURCH by giving them opportunities to give and learn more about the balance between finances and faith.

When you challenge them in a message or in a small group make sure that you have a way of helping them take that next step. Give them a place where they can test out what you are sharing with continued support.

CONNECTING THEM WITH LIFE LONG DISCIPLES

The teens in our ministry need to be accompanied in their journey by men and women outside of your programs. The best place to start is with leaders in your parish. That could be coworkers, members of the parish council or ministry point people. Ask these leaders to identify 2 or 3 teens they can invest in by:

  • Praying for them on a regular basis
  • Inviting them to serve alongside them
  • Getting to know their parents and families

The more men and women that you surround them with the more it will help them expand their vision of what the church can do.

INVITING THEM TO SIT AT THE TABLE

Teenagers need to see that they are more than just the future of the church. They need to know that they can contribute and the best way to do that is by sitting at the table with adults. It’s a risk, but when you put teens in a position of leadership it allows your church to have a bigger impact.

But, don’t just invite them to represent the next generation. Allow them to be the representative of your outreach, hospitality or liturgy committees. Make sure they are being mentored, but allow them to learn how to work intergenerationally. Give them an opportunity to speak into those older than them.

Youth ministry programs are essential to a healthy youth ministry, but it’s not going to cover everything else. Allow your teens to grow in their own spiritual journey, to connect with leaders and speak into the mission of the parish.

How does your youth ministry go beyond your weekly programs?

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