Category Archives: Youth Ministry Tips

Youth Ministry, Youth Ministry Tips

Gauging the Temperature Pt. 2

Today I want to talk about 3 Ways to Monitor Your Youth Group’s Temperature During The School Year. During the summer you have the opportunity to be around your teens for hours on end. Relationships are solidified during trips across the country and decisions for Christ are made while painting houses together. When students return to school your opportunities to connect with students and to check in with them can be greatly reduced. During the summer you can monitor their spiritual temperature more easily. How can you continue to monitor how they’re doing once math class, band practice, and homework come back on the scene?

First, the best way to check in with your students is through TALKING with them. The summer is filled with late night conversations about everything from choices, likes/dislikes, and even theology. During these convos hopes, dreams, struggles, and beliefs are laid bare. It is one of my favorite things about the summer. Unfortunately, the school year can put the kibosh on these meaningful interactions. The challenge then is to intentionally create moments where you can have sustained conversations with your teens. Offer to meet them for coffee before school once a week, build in discussion time during your midweek meeting, meet for milkshakes after the games. During these interactions don’t be afraid to dig a little deeper under the surface. The point isn’t to log hours talking about C.O.D. (Call of Duty, Noob.) but to understand where your teen is, where they are struggling, where they need encouragement.

Another way to gauge their spiritual temperature is through TECHNOLOGY. Facebook, Twitter, Text Msgs- they’re not just for wasting time anymore. You can harness the power of these social networking technologies to check in with your teens. I have a Twitter account set up for our youth group. I use it to announce upcoming events, brag on students who have done something amazing, and post thoughts for the day or week. I have also used it to take surveys and ask questions. The answers to these questons can be a great insight into what’s going on in the hearts and minds of your students. Twitter isn’t just a megaphone to blast information. It can be an invitation to conversation. Deep, I know. Right now, think of 3 different ways to use Facebook this week to check in with your teens.

A third way to monitor the spiritual health of your teens during the school year is by engaging in their TALENTS. In the coming weeks I know that I’ll be sitting in the stands watch my teens compete in sports or march in the band. My evenings will be full of choir performances big and small. If your teens are anything like mine they are talents and involved in many extracurriculars. When you show up to an event or performance you are engaging with them as they apply the gifts and talents given to them by God. Any encouragement you can give them, any time that you give them, any affirmation you can give them deepens your relationship with them. When your relationship deepens and goes below the surface you can truly understand what’s going on in their heart and soul.

By carving out intentional opportunities to TALK with your teens, by using TECHNOLOGY to connect them, and through recognizing their TALENTS you can begin to measure the spiritual temperature of your students during the school year.

God’s blessing on all of you who dedicate your time, talent, and treasure to serving teens and their families in the name of Jesus Christ.

Leadership, Ministry, Resources, Youth Ministry, Youth Ministry Tips

YMB: Personal Fall Planning pt 1

Today, I want to talk about some Youth Ministry Basics and there is no better place to start than with Fall Planning.  Youth ministers often get a bad wrap on their organizational skills and I try to avoid that stereotype like the plague! Over the last few weeks I have been working on the next 12 months- scheduling events, planning my teaching, and even gearing up for Summer 2011. This week, I am putting the finishing touches on our Fall calendar and I hope to deliver the finished product (Aug-May) by August 1. Fall planning isn’t just for your youth ministry. Sure you have stuff planned for your teens but what about you and your family? How are you going to rest? How are you going to learn? How are you going to grow?

This year, I used some suggestions from Nelson Searcy concerning my personal planning calendar. While some of these suggestions have always been a part of my planning I really appreciated the concise and creative approach Nelson and his team uses when it comes to helping others plan their year. Maybe some of these things will help you as you look at what  God can do in your ministry over the next 12 months. This year, on a personal level, I am intentionally committing to spiritual growth. I want to be FAITHFUL and FRUITFUL.

Nelson suggests that to be intentional about personal spiritual growth you need to look at your calendar from four perspectives. You need to…

  1. Abandon Annually
  2. Measure Monthly
  3. Withdraw Weekly
  4. Divert Daily

Tomorrow we’ll look at taking the longview and committing the next 365 days to God through Abandoning Annually.

Discipleship, Leadership, Ministry, Popular Culture, Prayer, Religion, Resources, Youth Ministry, Youth Ministry Tips

Youth Ministry Focus: New Stats

USAToday published an article this morning looking at the religious habits and beliefs of today’s 18-29 year olds. In some respects the article is nothing new to those of you who are currently working with churches or with teenagers. However, this study shines a bright light on the need for strong, Gospel-intensive, disciple-making leaders to step up and fill in the obvious void. I have included the article below and highlighted some of the stats and comments that I found most interesting. We’ll unpack some of these later in the week.

Survey: 72% of Millennials ‘more spiritual than religious’
By Cathy Lynn Grossman, USA TODAY

Most young adults today don’t pray, don’t worship and don’t read the Bible, a major survey by a Christian research firm shows.

If the trends continue, “the Millennial generation will see churches closing as quickly as GM dealerships,” says Thom Rainer, president of LifeWay Christian Resources. In the group’s survey of 1,200 18- to 29-year-olds, 72% say they’re “really more spiritual than religious.”Among the 65% who call themselves Christian, “many are either mushy Christians or Christians in name only,” Rainer says. “Most are just indifferent. The more precisely you try to measure their Christianity, the fewer you find committed to the faith.”

Key findings in the phone survey, conducted in August and released today:

  • 65% rarely or never pray with others, and 38% almost never pray by themselves either.
  • 65% rarely or never attend worship services.
  • 67% don’t read the Bible or sacred texts.

Many are unsure Jesus is the only path to heaven: Half say yes, half no.

“We have dumbed down what it means to be part of the church so much that it means almost nothing, even to people who already say they are part of the church,” Rainer says.

The findings, which document a steady drift away from church life, dovetail with a LifeWay survey of teenagers in 2007 who drop out of church and a study in February by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, which compared the beliefs of Millennials with those of earlier generations of young people.

The new survey has a margin of error of +/-2.8 percentage points.

Even among those in the survey who “believe they will go to heaven because they have accepted Jesus Christ as savior”:

  • 68% did not mention faith, religion or spirituality when asked what was “really important in life.”
  • 50% do not attend church at least weekly.
  • 36% rarely or never read the Bible.

Neither are these young Christians evangelical in the original meaning of the term — eager to share the Gospel. Just 40% say this is their responsibility.

Even so, Rainer is encouraged by the roughly 15% who, he says, appear to be “deeply committed” Christians in study, prayer, worship and action.

Collin Hansen, 29, author of Young, Restless, Reformed, about a thriving minority of traditionalist Christians, agrees. “I’m not going to say these numbers aren’t true and aren’t grim, but they also drive people like me to build new, passionately Christian dynamic churches,” says Hansen, who is studying for the ministry. He sees many in his generation veering to “moralistic therapeutic deism — ‘God wants you to be happy and do good things.’ … I would not call that Christianity, however.”

The 2007 LifeWay study found seven in 10 Protestants ages 18 to 30, both evangelical and mainline, who went to church regularly in high school said they quit attending by age 23. And 34% of those had not returned, even sporadically, by age 30.

The Pew survey found young people today were significantly more likely than those in earlier generations to say they didn’t identify with any religious group. Neither are Millennials any more likely than earlier generations to turn toward a faith affiliation as they grow older.

I agree with Hansen. Yes, the numbers seem overwhelming. The task is daunting. The consequences of failure are real. However, all is not lost my friends. Remember, the gates of Hades will not overcome the Body of Christ.

Looks like we’ve got some work to do.

Experience, My Life, Youth Ministry, Youth Ministry Tips

Ski Trip & Tip

We’ve been in CO on a youth group ski trip this week. Our first day on the mountain also coincided with the worst weather Monarch has seen in thirty years! It was a near white out. No bueno.

However, day two & three were as close to perfect as you can get. It was absolutely gorgeous! The sun was out, the powder was fresh (an upside of the storm), and the company was awesome! We head home tomorrow but this was one of the best trips I’ve taken with the youth group. Very bueno!!!

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Youth Ministry Ski Trip Tip
This is the third ski trip I’ve taken with teens and if I could give one piece of advice to other leaders out there planning a trip for Spring Break ’11 it would be this:

REQUIRE that your first time skiers take ski school before they hit the slopes!

This is a must for any first timer traveling to ski with us. No if, ands, or buts.

The first time skiers that I have taken have benefitted tremendously from taking the morning lessons. After classes are over I take them up to run some greens. It cuts down on injuries and it helps build confidence in those first timers.

On the flip side, I can’t tell you how many students I see skiing out of control on the mountain only to see them later with their youth group. In fact today I was almost taken out as some student came careening down the mountain, arms flailing, and screaming. She bit it hard and rode the rest of the trail down on her face. I skied behind her and picked up her poles. When I got to her I saw a friend giving her tips.

He’s a tip: Take ski school.

If you’re a youth leader, save yourself some trouble and look out for your kids by requiring the first time skiers take ski school.

Leadership, Ministry, Resources, Youth Ministry, Youth Ministry Tips

Youth Ministry Tip #5: Relationships

This will be short and sweet.

Youth ministry (any ministry for that matter) is inherently based on relationships. If you are not intentionally building relationships from day one you will be fighting an uphill battle. When you have put the time and effort into relationships you experience fulfillment beyond explanation. Today was a great reminder of this for me.

Build Relationships With… Jesus. How’s your relationship with the author and perfecter of your faith? Your power as a minister comes from Jesus Christ. Jesus should be at the center of your life and every good thing you accomplish is by him, through him, and for him. What are some ways you can intentionally build relationships with Jesus? Work on your relationship with Jesus.

Build Relationships With… Your Loved Ones. How’s your relationship with your spouse? Your children? Your friends? I will not, will not, will not sacrifice my family on the alter of ministry. You must be building and intentionally work on your relationship with your family. Sandy and I keep a hedge around at least one night a week. It is ours to do with as we see fit. No events, no visitors, nobody but us (and the boy). Sometimes we hit the town. Sometimes we veg out on the couch. Sometimes we run errands. The point is- we set aside specific time for connecting with one another. As our son gets older and as seasons change the world will fight to squeeze more out of us and will throw up obstacles to keep us from building our relationship. We will fight against the tide. You should too. What are some ways you can intentionally build relationships with your family? Work on your relationships at home.

Build Relationships With… The People You Serve. How’s your relationship with your students? Today, I spent a good chunk of my time talking with and messaging students. I was consumed with thoughts about them today I was able to reach out and connect with a good deal of them today. This made all the difference for me. I have seen students grow and open up and reveal their passions and desire for lives that glorify God and impact the world around them. I never would have the chance to experience this if we didn’t have a relationship. As a youth minister, you MUST build relationships with your students. What are some ways you can intentionally build relationships with your students?

Leadership, Life, Ministry, Youth Ministry Tips

Youth Ministry Tip #4: You Gotta Have Friends

This week’s Youth Ministry Tip could be one of the keys to ministry longevity. You MUST surround yourself with people who love you, care for you, have fun with you, and who develop you. You need friends.

Close Friends
We live in a society that isn’t big on deep, meaningful relationships. Find ways to buck that trend. Be intentional about gather a group of people around you that you can call friends. Friends help ease burdens, are there to encourage you, and help you build margin into your life. Who are your closest friends?

Ministry Friends
I am privileged to work amongst a great set of men in an area-wide ministry circle. We genuinely care for one another and enjoy each other’s company. Over the years we have moved from just planning events together to really getting to know one another. We share triumphs and heartaches, frustrations and practical advice. I love these men and I know they care for me and my family. Do you have a group like this around you? If not, what can you do to begin building this type of group in your area? If you are going to stay in ministry long-term you must surround yourself with people who are like-minded and who are in the trenches right alongside you. Who are your Band of Brothers or Sisters?

3 in the Morning Friends
Back in high school I had a group of my buddies that I knew were my 3am friends. These are the guys I could call at any hour on any day. In fact, I still consider these guys close enough to take my call at anytime. Life and situations have changed us (Babies and kids are asleep at 3am) but I am glad I have people like this in my life. Who can you count on to be there for you whenever you need them?

Ministry is not designed to be a solo journey. Get you some friends to help share the burden. Encourage one another and lean on one another.

Family Friday, Leadership, Ministry, Youth Ministry Tips

YMT #3: Give Credit Where Credit Is Due

This week’s Youth Ministry Tip is dedicated to all of those ministry spouses out there. My wife is a huge part of my life and my ministry- and one of the big reasons that I am of any success. I want to proclaim a great big THANK YOU to her. Here are four ways that Sandy helps me be a better minister:

She is my biggest fan and fiercest critic
No one gives me more encouragement than Sandy. She is quick to tell me that I’ve done good and she is always there to cheer me along. On the flip side, she can be brutally honest. She minces no words when she tells me I could have approached something better. She doesn’t beat around the bush when I’ve messed up either. So whether it is praise or criticism, she is honest with me and that helps me stand firm or to move forward and get better.

She is my sounding board
I often feel sorry for Sandy when she is sitting in one of my classes or participating in something I’m leading because she has had to hear about the content, the teaching, the stories, and the jokes over the course of the last week. I run ideas by her. I ask her if the transitions make sense. I gauge her reaction to a story. She is very familiar with something before I deliver it to the public… and yet… she never seems to mind. Thanks for the input babe!

She participates and leads in my ministry
There is an old joke that says that churches will often get a “two-for-one” deal when hiring youth ministers. That is most definitely the case with Sandy. Sandy participates in classes, bible studies, camps, mission trips, you name it. She cooks meals on Sunday nights, bakes brownies for Wednesdays, and opens our home for Bible studies and movie nights. She prays with girls, encourages the guys, and hangs out with them both. She is not a passive participant in the youth ministry. She is a leader.

She takes care of our home and family
IMG_4815 THE MOST IMPORTANT WAY SANDY HELPS MY MINISTRY IS BY TAKING CARE OF OUR FAMILY. No joke. Sandy does everything within her power to take care of Hewson and I. She is selfless and she is tireless in her efforts to create a quiet, loving, peaceful home. Everything gets clean, everything gets put away, everything gets taken care of. If this were the only thing Sandy did for me it would be more than enough to satisfy. Instead she takes care of our home and much, much more. Nobody does it better than Sandy. She is the greatest wife, mother, and partner in the world. I can’t thank her enough.

Thank you for every single thing that you do for us Sandy. Hewson loves you. The teens and their families love you. I love you. You are the greatest!

Now, who deserves the credit for your success in life? Give them a call. Send them a text. Tell them how much you appreciate them.

General, Resources, Youth Ministry, Youth Ministry Tips

Reading as Soul Tending

More than any other “big name” youth worker, Mike Yaconelli has made a profound difference on me as a disciple of Jesus Christ and as a minister. Yac used to say that the Job of Youth Ministry often got in the way of the Call of Youth Ministry. His writings have always helped me see the difference between those two realities. I had the opportunity to eat dinner with Yac the year before he passed away. I can remember reading the report of his death at my computer at home and the sense of loss I felt for a man I had barely met but felt I could call a friend and mentor. I’ve been thinking a lot about Yac lately.

Over Christmas, I downloaded a collection of his articles and talks to my Kindle to read while at the in-law’s cabin in the mountains of Virginia. I remember reading some of them in YouthWorker or other youth ministry resources. I remember how jazzed up they made me feel about youth ministry and I remember how they challenged me to move forward with an open heart and open mind all the while keeping my eyes firmly fixed on Jesus.

Below is an excerpt from Yac about the importance of taking care of your own soul while in ministry. Most of you know I am a ferocious reader. I consider reading to be a spiritual discipline that keeps me grounded and gives me the knowledge/tools/desire/focus to progress. Here is the advice Mike Yaconelli gives to youth ministers about the habit of soul tending through reading:

Most youth workers don’t read nearly enough. Yet reading is absolutely essential to your spiritual growth.

ASK THE PEOPLE WHOM YOU ADMIRE AND RESPECT WHAT BOOKS THEY READ.
If you’re drawn to certain people, then chances are they have the same reading interests you do—so trust them to get you on the right track.

NOTE THOSE AUTHORS YOU RESONATE WITH, THEN GET ALL OF THEIR BOOKS.
(I have my own group of authors who, through their books, have become my reading-world friends: Eugene Peterson, Barbara Brown Taylor, Walter Wangerin Jr., John Claypool, Earl Palmer, Henri Nouwen, Calvin Miller, Frederick Buechner, Alan Jones, Will Willimon, Evelyn Underhill, and Philip Yancey. I read everything they write. Somehow they know me; they name my struggles and put into words what I’ve been unable to find words for.)

PLACE THOSE FEW BOOKS THAT HAVE REALLY AFFECTED YOU IN A BOOKCASE CLOSE TO WHERE YOU WORK.
In my study I have all my favorite books—my friends—just to the left of my desk and within arm’s reach. I have lots more books in my study, but my friends are right next to me.

INTERACT WITH YOUR BOOKS. Mark your favorite passages, make notes, mark and then file the quotes that grip you. Books are made to be marked—and stained with tears, too. Reading is more than gathering information—it’s a relationship.

DON’T WORRY IF YOU TAKE A BREAK FROM READING NOW AND THEN.
Sometimes your soul needs space and time to process what’s going on in your life. At such times reading can distract you from the soul work you should be doing.

WHATEVER YOU DO, DON’T LIMIT YOUR READING TO SPIRITUAL BOOKS.
Read recent novels, old classics, biographies, short stories, essays, articles. Christians aren’t the only ones speaking truth. Truth is truth, regardless of who says it.

Thanks for the challenge Yac!

General, Leadership, Ministry, Thanksgiving, Thoughts, Worship, Youth Ministry Tips

YMT #2: Desire

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You want to avoid burnout or irrelevance? Then you must find the desire to move forward. Everyday is another chance for you to improve, grow, & stretch yourself and the influence of your ministry. Yesterday is over. Take what you can learn- the good AND the bad- and use it as fuel for your journey today.

Rolling Stone just posted an article from The Edge asking him what the future looks like for U2. Truth be told, while Bono may be the face of the band the heart, soul, and mind of U2 is The Edge. (Check out the doc “It Might Get Loud” for a glimpse into The Edge’s work ethic) U2’s last album was one of the best selling albums of 2009, they are currently touring the planet on the world’s largest concert stage, and they are undoubtedly the world’s biggest band. And yet, the desire to move forward, develop, and excel is pronounced.

Rolling Stone: What do you foresee for U2 in the next decade?
The Edge: I can’t think that things will change radically for us, because we are already enjoying being in the band. It matters to us that we still make music that connects, and we are still capable of potentially doing our best-ever album. It’s not a foregone conclusion that our best work is behind us. That still makes it really exciting.

Remember, U2 has experienced unprecedented sustained success for 30 years. There have been missteps and mistakes, hubris and humiliations. Does this sound like a man that is burned out and ready to give up? No. This is a man on fire! In fact, that’s a big joke in the U2 fan community. Anytime a journalist asks Bono about the upcoming album he says (without fail) that “The Edge is on fire.” That fire must come from a desire to learn and move on.

What makes ministry exciting is that your best days are not behind you. Find that desire to move forward.

At what may seem like the apex of success or at what may seem like the pit of despair there is a choice. You can get bitter or you can get better. The choice is yours. Getting bitter is the easy choice. You get to complain and people will stroke your hair and sing “Soft Kitty” over you. And you will die inside a little each day.

But.. you choose to get better and there is hope. “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” (2Corinthians 4:16) There’s your promise. We serve a God that takes our dark yesterdays and gives us bright tomorrows.

Do not lose heart. Your best day is not behind you because God’s best day is not behind Him!

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” (1Corinthians 9:24-27)

Ministry, YM, Youth Ministry, Youth Ministry Tips

Youth Ministry Tips #1: Hospital Visits

2010 will mark my seventh year in full-time ministry. There is nothing on planet earth that I would rather do then minister to teens and families. Although I have been doing this for a few years I am learning something new every single day. I want to begin a new feature on the blog featuring Youth Ministry Tips. I hope that you find these tips helpful and feel free to add tips in the comment section. Today I want to start with tips on making hospital visits.

Know Where You’re Going
Hospitals are a bit like snowflakes- everyone is different. Take some time and get familiar with the hospitals in your area. Which hospital do most of your families turn to in times of need? In most towns you probably have 2 or 3 choices. Spend an afternoon getting to know the layout of those hospitals. Find out where the parking is. (Do they have clergy parking? Is there free parking for clergy? Do you need a clergy pass?) Find out where the surgery, ICU, and observation rooms are. See if you can pick up a campus map for your files so you’ll know how to get around. Knowing your way around the hospital will give you more time to spend with the people you came there to see.

Bonus: Schedule your visit around lunch time. Many hospital cafeterias have good food at rock bottom prices. Some hospitals around me even have a Starbucks.

Call Ahead
Sometimes being in a hospital is a boring affair. Often family members are waiting around for results, checkups, and for improvement. Sometimes they are just…waiting. If you are planning on visiting, think about calling ahead to see if you can bring anything– magazines, schoolwork, movies, coloring books etc. I would advise against bringing food for a patient but sometimes mom and dad could use a burger or coke.

Don’t Rush
Your class for Wednesday night can wait and you can make those calls for the lock-in later. When you’re visiting a student or parent in the hospital they should be your only focus. Spend as much time as needed to visit, share, and pray with the family. Think about turning off your phone as well. Everything you need to get done will get finished. Don’t rush your hospital visit.

Watch for Cords
I’ll never forget the time I visited my grandmother in the hospital. Her sister came in and sat down on the hospital bed next to her. Next thing you know my grandmother started acting funny and losing color in her face. My grandmother’s sister had puller out the IV when she sat on the bed. Here’s a good rule of thumb: Don’t sit on the hospital bed!!! Be very careful around the patient you’re visiting. Don’t cause more trouble than you have to.

Always Leave With a Prayer
I never leave a hospital room without offering to pray for the family I’m visiting. One of the greatest gifts you can give a family that is worrying and scared about the situation they find themselves in is to pray for them. Praying over the family gives them hope, peace, and comfort in an often chaotic time. At times when the situation isn’t dire praying for the family is a common bond you can share. Walking together into the throne room of God puts everything into perspective. Don’t miss out on an opportunity to pray with those you visit in the hospital.

Conclusion
I count it as a privilege to be able to visit families in the hospital. Ministry happens when you share your time and attention with those who are sick and hurting. Now it is your turn. What tips do you have to share concerning hospital visits?