How do you build a teen ministry?

[holysoldier5000]

Hey CAA!

I got such a good response with the Anime and Movies for Bible Study threads that I thought I would post this question?

I am trying at the moment to build in my church a successful Teen ministry. We are a small group, but the teens have such great potential. I, being their inexperienced leader , am trying to help them grow a successful evangelizing outreach ministry. I have been learning a few tips and tricks in how to do so, but I am looking for more ideas.

So far we have a successful Teen Sunday School, starting a youth night to have fun and welcome people in from the community, and toying with the idea of having bible studies. Possible missions trips this summer, (don’t know where,) going to concerts and other such stuff. Like I said, I am new at this and since there seems to be a lot of teenagers on the CAA, maybe you guys and girls can tell me what I should try to build this ministry.

What would you do if you where in my class, or my position?

Let me know?

How do you build a teen ministry?

Any other youth leaders here? Let me know what you do.
I will share some of my successful tips and tricks as well.

[Stephen]

Hmm, all I can share is what I learned while working with a youth pastor last year. First, weekly meetings are a must. Even if there only like 30 minutes or so...get into the word, ask the kids what God has done for them...etc. Also, get the kids grounded in reading there Bibles. As far as mission trips go, I would wait till the kids had a strong base before doing this. But, getting them grounded in prayer and reading there Bibles is a must.

[holysoldier5000]

getting them grounded in prayer and reading there Bibles is a must.

Agree. That is why I have spent the last year discipleship training. I have helped the core members go from “Couch Potato Christiansâ€

[Rev. Doc]

I would highly recommend getting your teens involved in the lives of your older church members. There are a few reasons for this:

1. Senior Adults make great mentors for your young people. There is such a wealth of knowledge and experience for the younger generation to learn from.

2. There is a natural distrust on the part of some Seniors towards youth. They buy into the notion that all young people are out to steal, break and generally just cause trouble.

3. Like it or not, the movers and shakers in your church are the middle to older generations and they give the yes or no to much of what gets done in the church and the support of your youth group.

Here are three emphasis I have found that helped a great deal in my ministries:

1. Youth Sunday: Focus on the youth ministry in the church and let the rest of the congregation know exactly what you are doing. Many will think they are just meeting in a room, talking trash, eating chips and playing ping pong. Show them the various ministries the young people are involved in. Let the youth teach the Sunday School lesson, especially in the older adult classes. I realize the young people will be nervous, but the older folks love this.

2. Senoir Adult Day meal. I usually have our youth as servers during this meal.

3. Adopt a Grandparent. This was always my favorite. Pair up a young person in your youth group and an older person in the Senior Adult group. I always used a time period of one year. The young people can then do special things for their "grandparent" throughout the year on special occasions (birthdays, Christmas, etc.). This usually culminated with a once a year Dinner where the youth and "grandparents" got together and perhaps used different themes. You would then elect new "grandparents" for a different young person for the next year.

When all is said and done, you need the Spiritual support of the rest of the church for a successful youth ministry. The closer they are to your youth, the more they will be lifting this group up in their prayers.

[Chaps]

Hmm, when speaking to them, try using personal experiences that relate to your sermon or message, that will make it more interesting and fun. Try to be at least somewhat humorous, so you won't bore them to death...but I guess it's like salt; a little is good for flavor, but too much might ruin it....I really aren't good at this kinda stuff either, but that's just stuff I thought of at the top of my head *shrug*

[faithfighter]

As for ideas I don;t have any! sorry, I will be thinking though. But I will be praying!

[Kewl Girl]

I know Im not a youth pastor or whateverness, but I know a ew things from personal experience with my youth group.

Two years ago we went from a boring, run down kind of youthgroup with maybe 10-15 people coming together to paly a game of walley-ball (volley ball with walls). To our present state, where we have a semi-worhip band, at least 50 kids coming a night, and a leadership team (shich I happen to be a part of) of about 10 kids. Our youth group is going really well. We hit a major snag thouhg because our old Youth Pastor ummmm... had to leave his position abruptly due to some recent events, but we have a temp. for now.

Our Youth group does all kinds of neat things. We go to Aquire the Fire yearly (Its a Christian event held in every state I think), and we usually do a mission trip each summer, some concerts here and there, and we have "Beach-Fest"(a large youth event with bands, food, a message, and games for the local teens.)yearly.

As for building your youth group and all, what we did was we all started with our Sunday night youth groups and our monday night "leadership team"( or the group of kids who are commited to supporting the youth group). From there we (the leadership team) invited kids, who invited kids, who invited kids. We also had big events like going to Six Flags and other such things in order to get some new kids coming.

I think the hardest part for our Youth Pastor was realizing that no matter how much he taught us and istructed us on how to reach our friends the decision to reach out to our peers was ours to make and he couldnt make it for us. Some still havent decided to yet, but I know for me personaly it took a while before I was truly folowing God, because the whole thing was new to me.

Also one of the MOST important thing I think that you need to do as a Yout Pastor is to get to know the kids and to listen to their problems. If you cant be available to the teens when they need you most I think that you may need to consider getting someone else to help or a new job. (nothing personal).

Also have you ever hear of the study 'Experiencing God" ?? If not you should look into it. It an awesome study. This is the one that helped our youth group the most when we first started out.l

I have to go now, I hope you find the info. somewhat helpfull..

[GhostontheNet]

2. There is a natural distrust on the part of some Seniors towards youth. They buy into the notion that all young people are out to steal, break and generally just cause trouble.

In their defense, I will note that I make it a universal protocol to listen in on any conversation within my earshot, and from what I have heard from so many of my fellow teens does not give a good testimony to the purity of their motivations, in fact, I sometimes regret this protocol not because they offer retaliation (I suspect they don't even know, or simply don't care), but because I don't like what I hear.

As to the present discussion, I don't have any tips myself that I feel confident enough in to put out there. However, I will recommend that you might want to contact "Wade" at a local church called The Smoky Hill Vineyard, as they seem to me from experience to run an authentically successful, worshipful, and YHWH glorifying youth group at one of the contact formats at http://www.velocityonline.org/ under "Message to Parents" for suggestions.

[holysoldier5000]

I want to thank everybody for their great suggestions:

Rev. Doc, love the idea, I am going to run it by the church members as soon as I can.
I will deal more on this later!

Shatterheart, bible based teaching is a definite must, am all ready doing, but thanks for the help.

Chaps, excellent idea, I use personal experiences all the time. It is probably one of my most effective tools. I will deal more on this later!

Thanks for the prayer faithfighter, always needed.

Kewl Girl 16, your information was excellent, particular since it is coming from a teenager that really encourages me. I will deal more on this later!

GhostontheNet, already using the Volocity. It is our current study series. It is o.k. Engaging if used the right way, but needs more biblical back up, but I can handle that.

Thanks everyone!
A lot is already going on with the group all ready. I will give an update soon!

[Kewl Girl]

Cool. I cant wait to hear how its going!

[holysoldier5000]

Here is the update.

The Teen Youth Group just had our first meeting. It took place on a Saturday night and we meet in the church game room /study room or the “Annexâ€

[holysoldier5000]

[quote="Chaps"]Hmm, when speaking to them, try using personal experiences that relate to your sermon or message, that will make it more interesting and fun. Try to be at least somewhat humorous, so you won't bore them to death...but I guess it's like salt]

I am always telling stories. Stories are my best teaching method. Usually I tell one of my crazy experiences in life and then we compare it to biblical stories. Or I pick out points from my stories and illuminated on them with biblical wisdom. And I have so many stories to tell. Like the time I was branded as a Satan Worshiper by a group of 'over righteous Christians' for not bowing down to their views! Or the many hard fought battles against the atheist hordes at my collage! Or the many people, complete strangers, who just needed a friend and I was willing to give up my time to be there for them. I have lots of stories. Stories of how I have done things right, and stories of how I have done things wrong. I try to make bible teaching relevant to these teens. Bring it down to their playing field, and invade their lives with what should a Christian do in this crazy world.

If you would like to read one of my stories then go to the thread:
“God, I know what your will is, why don’t you agree?â€

[holysoldier5000]

... a leadership team (which I happen to be a part of) of about 10 kids...

... Also one of the MOST important thing I think that you need to do as a Yout Pastor is to get to know the kids and to listen to their problems...

Kewl Girl 16 (and all others which have an answer) here is my question to you. You talked about being part of a leadership team. I wish to build one of those in my group as well. What lead you to join a leadership team? How did you go about it? And what do you do on a leadership team?

You also spoke of a youth minister being there for the students. How was your youth minister there for you? How did he make himself available to you? Did you build a personal relationship with your youth pastor? And if you did then how?

I hope you don’t mind all the questions, but I would appreciate all feedback. And others can answer these questions too.

[Kewl Girl]

Your youth group sounds really cool !!

[quote] “inside the Christian T-shirtâ€

[faithfighter]

Sounds great wish I could go to your youth group...

[holysoldier5000]

...See our old YP used to yell at me a lot for drawing...

Well I wouldn’t do to well with that either. I am an artist myself so your old YP would yell at me too…he he he!

...I have seriously thought about becoming a youth pastor, but Im a girl... so yeah.. I know a lot of people wouldnt be okay with that.

I say go for it! If that is what God is leading you to become then go. I know several female Youth Pastors. They can tell you it is tough, but the rewards of helping teens out-weighs the sturggle. And most people you can win over with love anyway. Not all, but most.

... Just a quick question. I know in our leadership team we have a hard time finding guys who will join. We have 2 guys (one of them is considering quitting) and 8 girls. Have you run into this problem at all?? Just curious..

We don't have this problem yet because we don't have a youth leadership team yet. But I am working to fix that!

[hawaiishirtguy]

Aloha

First off, major Kudos to holysoldier for getting the youth group off the couch. Believe me that it makes a difference. I'd say again about the advice with the senior members of your church. Some of the teens may not be overly enthused about it at first, but it can be really rewarding to get to know your elders. They have so much to teach us young whipper-snappers.

My take on the leadership team...
Leadership team at my church youth group was a core group of about a dozen of us who wanted to go a step above the norm. Our youth group ran about 100 in regular attendance so the leadership team served as a launching point for those of us who really wanted to get committed. It sounds to me like your group is intimate enough that a 'leadership team' in the way I know it isnt a necessary thing yet. (Again, that is just my experience.) I pray that all your kids are getting excited about being on fire for Christ.

Keep that intimate atmosphere going man, even as your numbers increase. It is so much easier for us to be honest with ourselves and others in a "small-group" kind of atmosphere.

If you really want to do some mission trips or something like that try teaming up with some other local church youth groups. Not only will you have a chance to participate in some larger projects, but it also serves as a chance for your students to meet and hang out with other christian teens they havent met before. Just make sure the kids are prepped for it. I have never yet been on a mission trip that didnt challenge me in my faith in a big way.

Keep it up, man. The Lord is our strength.

[~Natsumi Lam~]

I have started a couple groups.... this is how i go about it

1. pray with your whole group for direction and wisdom. ask other pastors

2. Write everything down you want to accomplish. SO you can keep track and see in future.

3. Assign willing, able and dependable people to tasks taht are on list.
[you cant do it all and remain healthy and sain]
See if you need money contributions... if so do car wash or something.

4. Keep the people on track that got the tasks. Give them a time period to complete in steps.

5. Ask Holy Spirit if He likes it so far. If He does... continue. If He doesnt change the thing needed to be changed.

6. Give everyone a little test on the basics of the gospel... to see where everyone is. Then teach from there. ie prob with trinity... study, pray and research how to do that.

**** always keep a christian adult leader mentor... it makes it easy.

7. Set up a person to pray for. Each person assigned a person in group.... guy to guy and girl girl. Always watch out for the dating circle... it can bring down youth group settings... seen two already. [reason... to keep eachother accountable and on the right path, and to support eachother] When this thing gets started and is effective Satan will meddle.... and it starts in person to person and relationship to relationship. Got to be strong inside before you try to reach outside.

8. Always be watchful as a leader for changes in wind. Meaning watch how God prompts you to do stuff. Preach what he wants done.

9. Have game nights.... annoince it to everyone. Have it a potluck setting and everyone brings a game they like. Or have a sports day!!! I like those.

10. Dont only soak up the word.... be doers of the word. Go out and do your missions and so on as to how God leads you.

11. Most importantly always be praying!!! God has it handled... dont try to control the world. God knows everything seen and unseen. So focus on God and His doing and everything will work out fine. Even in hard times.

Crystal Lam aka ~Natsumi Lam~

[TurkishMonky]

also, for service oriented events, perhaps some local comunity vollenteer projects might be a good start, before going on major missions trips. they seemed to work pretty well with our church's youth group.

As for leadership teams, our youth pastor took it pretty seriously, and had several deep questions, especially in the areas of servant ledarship and spiritual gifts, that we had to fill out to join. additionally, the age requirement is jr in highschool to college-age for the team. usually, the leadership team in our youth group are the people that lead the small groups after the main youth group meeting, and we have a seperate small group study for the leadership teams as well. Usually the leadership team is who gets to do the expensive service missions trips, and the main youth group goes to the big events, and the local service project ministires.

hope ths long rambling description helps.

[kaji]

While this thread is already half a year old, it seam to still yeild some Good advice. I only wonder how holysoldier, and his youth program is doing...

Working with the youth of our church as been a blessing and a joy for both my wife and I. And many good point have been made in reguards to keeping a youth ministry healthy and growing. However, be sure to not allow all your planning to interfere with the Holy Spirit. Be ready to give up weeks of planning and event preperation in exchange for meeting your youth in their needs.

Basically, be sure that your focus is on your kids and not on your plans.

[Heed]

Well, I have been learning quite a bit here. I am in my senior year of Bible College, my Minor is Youth ministry.

Basically, before forming any group, take it before the Lord and your Senior Pastor and discuss the potential and purpose of the group. The church elders and board need to be a vital part of your ministry.

Youth Ministry is not a separate entity from church. You need responsible adult leaders, also before hiring leaders, it is HIGH PRIORITY that you SCREEN every individual before rbinging them on board as well as keep them in prayer. Also, background checks are needed as well.

Youth Ministry is awesome but requires much effort. Also, much prayer. You need a prayer team who will keep the ministry in prayer. There is a huge team that you need to carefully and prayerfully assemble.

Well, I could seriously write a book but those are some basic essentials. If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask.

[holysoldier5000]

Wow! I didn’t realize this thread was still alive.
Thanks for the recent input.
To give an update things are kind of rough in my ministry. I’m having trouble with a couple of students. But I am determined to reach out to them a let God use me which ever way he sees fit to impact their lives. Its all in God’s hands, I’m just the week tool the mighty master uses. With prayer and hard work I know these troublemakers will come around. Please keep my youth and myself in your prayers. Sometimes my inexperience makes me feel inadequate. Often a lot of us feel inadequate in God’s work even though we know we’re called. Paul often felt inadequate for the great task God had given him as a preacher of the Gospel. e.g. 2 Corinthians 2:16 “Who is sufficient for these things?â€