Whenever a youth minister or pastor asks for advice about growing their youth ministry I ask them, “What does your middle school ministry look like?” The responses will vary from, “I don’t know.” to “We don’t have one.”
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Many times (Especially in the Catholic church) middle school ministry is an afterthought. It’s lumped into Children’s Ministry or Religious Education. No one wants to own it because no one really knows what to do with it.
The problem is that middle school ministry seems messy, undesirable and complicated. And it can be but then again it’s necessary if you want a healthy high school ministry and church.
Middle school youth ministry needs to be a priority because it sets the tone for high school ministry and even sacramental prep. If your middle school students learn to hate church at that age winning them back later is going to be extremely difficult.
If anything middle school ministry is a time to push the limits of what you can and can’t do. If you want to do something fun or test out new technology middle school students are the perfect audience. They won’t mind if you fail, if anything it reminds them that they don’t have to be perfect to have a relationship with Christ.
It might not seem like you have control, but middle school students still respect your size and age. They still ask you, “Can I go to the bathroom?” because they see you as an authoritative figure.
Do not demand authority because it’s already there (Especially with 6th graders). Take advantage by being authentic, relational and building trust. The seeds you plant now will reap great rewards.
Middle school youth ministry is your farm system and it needs to be cultivated. To make sure it’s successful:
There are people who love middle school ministry, you just need to believe that they exist. These are men and women who loved those years. They are in your community and congregation. They might seem a little goofy at first, but it’s just because they get that age group.
Even if you aren’t directly overseeing the ministry make sure it’s supported. Make sure that the ministry has a substantial budget and people who are going to give their time.
If you need to sacrifice something from the high school ministry or other areas of the church then do it. The more you invest in it’s success the more it will benefit the entire church later. The sacrifice is worth it.
Middle school students do not need to behave, they need to be able to express themselves. If you are trying to have them sit still at a desk you’ll lose their attention. Make sure their is time to sing, shout, act funny and release the tension they feel from a long week of school.
Middle school students will tell you that they want to be adults and hold onto their childhood in one breath. It’s a transitional time that needs a lot of grace. To give them that grace get to know their reality, even if that means going to down a painful memory lane.
Get involved in the school, reach out to other experts in the field and learn their world. The more you know the more comfortable you will be speaking into their lives.
High school ministry is important and does need your attention; however, middle school needs to come first. If you build that strong foundation you will set you, your team and your church up for success.
[reminder] Do you agree that middle school ministry should come first? What are you doing to invest in that age group? [/reminder]