Why Your Ministry Needs Crowd Ministers

The backbone of our student ministry is small groups. It’s where teens feel connected and are able to go deeper in their faith.  While small group leaders are essential they wouldn’t be successful without crowd ministers.

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What are crowd ministers?  They are the men and women who extend your capability as a manager.  With them you’ll be able to create environments and opportunities for teens to grow.  They are the men and women who:

SET THE TONE FOR THE EVENING

Crowd ministers serve in the role of hospitality.  They are making sure anyone (adult or teen) walking into your church knows where to go and what to expect.

While small group leaders can serve in this role they’ll be preoccupied by the teenagers in their groups.  Reaching new teens and connecting with current ones can be a distraction.  Find men and women who are relational and great at making people feel like they are where they are supposed to be.

GET THEIR HANDS DIRTY BEHIND THE SCENES

Youth ministry is messy figuratively and literally.  Doesn’t matter if it’s 5 middle school students or 500 they’ll make a mess.  If you are charged with leading and feeding the next generation you need to make sure there are people to assist you with:

• Trash pick up

• Fixing broken ping pong tables

• Cleaning up the pizza

• Sharpening pencils

• Cutting paper

• And so much more.

To take on these roles find people who are doers.  Their way of caring for others is creating spaces that are clean and orderly.  Even if you aren’t shaped that way, believe that there are people who love doing that work.

LOVE SOLVING PROBLEMS AND CREATING SYSTEMS

Is your way the best way?  Not necessarily.  Chances are there are better ways to:

• Setting up chairs.

• Handing out materials.

• Collecting contact information.

• Running a game or activity.

You just need to give your crowd ministers the authority to take on those challenges.  Allow them to test, try it out and fail if necessary.  They’ll appreciate the fact that you trust them.

WANT TO SET OTHERS UP FOR SUCCESS

Crowd ministers know it’s not all about them.  In fact they know that they might not get the same glory that you and small group leaders receive.  Instead of complaining, they understand the work they do will pay off down the line.  Look for people who are humble and think of others first.

Even if your program doesn’t have a large group component you can still have crowd ministers creating environments and opportunities for small groups to thrive.  Extend your capacity as a leader by finding people who will help you move the crowd.