Why You Can’t Wait For Teens To Return To The Church

I no longer expect teens to come back to church. Some teens will go back, and as things open up, I’ve seen a few familiar faces at Mass, but I no longer expect the majority to return on their own. One of the reasons I’m skeptical is because our habits and routines are different. Even though we’re allowed to do some of the activities we did before doesn’t mean we want to. If there was ever a time that the church needed to change, it’s an approach to evangelization, now is the time.

Instead of expecting teens (and their families) to come back to the church, we need to go out to them. Our efforts should take us beyond an email and newsletter if we want to bring teens to the church, we have to go beyond our walls and walk on the fringes. To do that start:

CHANGING THE IDENTITY OF YOUR ROLE

We need to do a gut check when it comes to the structure of our position. If you think your job is to simply plan a program for teens when they are on the church campus, then you’ve limited your potential. As a leader, you are responsible for creating a comprehensive ministry model that works throughout the community.

To redefine your role, you need to get to know what the needs of the community are and what consumes its attention. If you feel like you don’t have time to do that, then you need to adjust your habits and expectations. The more you know your community, the clearer it becomes what you need to do.

BOOST YOUR  PRESENCE IN THE COMMUNITY

It’s easy to find comfort in the mundane. Preparing an activity, researching content for a message, and getting lost in busy work are reasons we avoid building a real presence in the community. If the only time you are accessible is on Sundays or during your programs, then you’ve made walls between you and the people you’ve served. To boost your presence, try:

• Holding meetings in public places (e.g., coffee house) or someone’s home.
• Going to community events or after school activities.
• Taking some of your office work off-campus and into public spaces.

The church building is a place of worship, but it doesn’t have to be the only place you do ministry. Walk away from your desk and boost your accessibility by showing others your present.

PARTNER WITH ORGANIZATIONS ALREADY ON THE FRINGES

While your presence matters, it is limited. To be present to all people at all times is impossible, and that’s why partnerships are so important. If you are going to reach teens on the fringes, you need to connect with organizations and groups are already there. There are ministries, non-profits, and after school clubs doing the fringe work that your parish needs to do.

Like your ministry, these organizations need volunteers. Help them succeed by inviting your parishioners to get involved. Not only will these groups benefit from having extra help, but your church will be a resource for a place of worship. Together you’ll be witnessing God’s love and bringing people closer to Christ.

EMPOWER MISSION FOCUSED LEADERS

Why do you teach what you teach? Is it so that teens become more knowledgeable of the faith? While that’s important and does matter, we also have to equip them to go out and be a witness. Youth ministry is more than answering the question, “What do we want them to know?” it’s also about answering the question, “What do we want them to do?”

If you want mission-focused leaders that go and witness the Gospel, then you need to show them habits that help them live the faith beyond the church walls. That means investing in opportunities for service throughout the community.  Mission focused leaders know how to share their testimony and talk with others about real-life issues through the lens of their faith.

On top of what you teach, it’s essential to think about where you teach it. Small groups that meet in homes, schools, or local businesses help teens grow more comfortable talking about the faith outside church walls. Holding a worship event or prayer service at a public park helps them become more relaxed about praying in public. Empower mission-focused leaders by showing them what the mission is.

As it becomes safer to move around, people will be searching for community. We can’t afford for them to find us, we need to go search for them. Redesign your ministry so that you can be in the community and on the fringes. Your efforts will not only build a larger ministry but one with a more significant impact.

How are you looking to be more present in the community?