Youth Ministry Leadership Training

     Youth ministry is the most productive of all for reaching people, for children, especially teens, are so impressionable and interested.  The traditional idea of church youth activities, Bible reading, singing "Do Lord," preaching "be good," no longer illustrate the modern church youth method or movement.

The Place

     The most vital aspect of youth ministry is the place where youth are to meet.  It cannot be a boring place or a prison-like atmosphere.  It needs to be a place that young people can call their own -- their room.  The young people themselves may create the atmosphere using donated furniture (couches, not folding chairs), stereo system, volley ball or ping pong equipment.  With the right place, even the most limited church can grow a tremendous youth group in three months.

     Ask in the church bulletin or newsletter for comfortable and warm used furniture and other useful donations for furnishing the place. Let the young people paint it any way they want and hang up approved posters.  Change the room around every six months or so to avoid stagnation and break up cliques.

 

The Meeting

     The meetings of the youth group should never fall into a routine. Constant surprises work best -- anything "off the wall" - catching the youth off-guard before their defense mechanism can snap into place.  Don't always meet in the place.  Also meet in houses, under trees, at the museum.  Note: Houses are not made for youth ministry -- too many family distractions like pets, young children, and phone calls.

     Keep activities creative.  Offer a contest about which team can write the best skit on a particular subject then let groups exchange and perform skits.  Use a movie camera -- make a video or a commercial. Use music in programs -- discuss lyrics.  Dear Abby's column is also fun to use.  Choose a good column, read the question, then let the group supply answers.

     Meeting topics need to be relevant to the changing needs and interests of youth, like dating, love and sex.  A good resource is Dating by Scott Kirby (Baker Books).  Family topics, such as divorce and family relationships, are popular discussion topics.  Canvass the group with a note card: "The three things I'd like the group to talk about are...."  The cards are returned with no name, and topics can be used for weeks. Great program resources are Group Magazine and Ideas, a series of books that have thousands of ideas.  The entire set may be purchased for about $170.

   Other ideas: Progressive dinners, where each course of the dinner is taken at a different location; Polaroid camera scavenger hunts -- have youth get snapshots of various odd things, like a policeman shaking hands with a dog; have games, cook-outs right after church, game days, movie or thematic lock-ins; then create an annual scrapbook (since you have kept pictures from each youth event).

   The youth group must not be a separate entity from the church but must be fully integrated with church activities.  Church youth choirs often originate as “chorus sings” in a youth group.  Singing is vital -- get taped accompaniment, like Petra Praise.  Plan for youth to take over a Sunday service, even preaching.  Allow young people to experience church, and they will blossom in church.

 

Acknowledging God

   Devotionals, prayers, testimonies must be geared to the age group.  Devotionals should be from 5-6 minutes, "punchy," relative and memorable.  Children want to know how to pray, about spiritual things and the spirit world, about heaven and hell.  They are        interested in Jesus Christ.

   A newsletter might also be published by the youth during summer months that would serve as a "ministry" to, by and for youth.  A "Pastor's Corner" column might be included, a testimony column, a Bible study column, and dates, times and descriptions of events.

 

Fund Raisers

   THINK  BIG!  "Pledged" events make big money -- pledged car washes and rock-a-thons -- pledges are perhaps 10 cents per hour -- each youth could get many pledges.  Light bulb sales work great.  Use a church brochure with each sale.  Collect rummage for 1 year, then have a monster sale.  Some groups have made thousands of dollars this         way, and donors receive a tax write-off.  Slave auctions, bowl-a-thons, even dog washes work well if priced right and in good locations.

 

Mission-mindedness Is Essential!

   Youth groups have fun, but they also fulfill ministries.  There are many missions opportunities nearby -- hospitals, nursing homes, senior centers and orphanages.  Instead of going to an amusement park, go on a missions trip.  Take one adult youth worker for each four youth.  Be clear about the purpose and goals of the mission.

   Goals must be measurable.  "Saturday Servants" may go to the houses of shut-ins weekly or monthly and wash windows, do dishes.  Saturday Servants work from 9 - 12 then go to lunch where they discuss their mission with a youth worker.

 

Recruiting and Training Adult Workers

   The main requirement is to love children, like to be with them and realize that they are not adults.  Adult workers can be grandparents, singles, college students (but beware) and couples.  Before enlisting parents of youth, "bounce" the idea off their children to see how they feel about having their parents around.

   The qualities of the youth leader are eventually reflected in the youth.  Youth need role models, not more pals or youth leaders who are themselves kids.  Neither will "police sergeants" do for youth workers.

   There must be a set of rules at the onset -- let the youth make the rules with adult guidance.  At the first breaking of the rules, the young person is "called down" before the group for their infraction; the second, the youth is taken for a private chat; the third, parents are informed.

   Preachers sometimes do not make good youth leaders.  A preacher is defined as "someone who gives moral advice in a tiresome manner."

   Youth leaders and workers must themselves be teachable, and willing to learn new things and new ways.  A sense of humor is essential.  Youth workers must be able to laugh at themselves, for youth will eventually find the weaknesses and limits of their adult leaders.

 

Philosophy of Ministry

   All are called to ministry!  If the ministry to youth is challenging, fun, exciting and biblical, youth workers will live to see some youth grow into full-time ministers.  Roberts illustrates his philosophy of youth ministry with the diagram labeled “Hitting the Youth Ministry Bull’s Eye.”

 

What Next?

   The First Event -- get as much information on each child as possible, including information such as favorite TV shows, music, addresses of both parents.

   Second and subsequent events -- share visions and goals.  Our youth can have a fantastic youth group.  Discipling takes years, so bring it in with activities; later bring in devotionals and prayers.

   Experience the holy at each meeting in some form, then gradually integrate music.

   Projects of commitment -- like creating and decorating the place, and formulating rules (for instance, "Christian music only!").

   The group must meet at least once per week -- twice is better.

   Rotate leaders, have weekly or monthly dinners.  Start with devotional then split up for age-level activities.

 

SOURCE:  Digested from Rev. Mark Roberts' oral presentation September 23, 1994.