I get it; you are swamped in your youth ministry work. For this reason, I'd like to suggest four ways to find, maintain, and keep perspective as you plan and implement your programs.
As a church member or leader, you have the privilege to step into the role of "Pastor of Congregational Culture." Your job description is short and simple: turn this ship with your tongue.
Don't misunderstand—the programs and events are good and important. But a perfect lesson simply does not have the same impact as a 10 minute faith conversation between parent and child.
The goal seems to be bigger events, louder music, farther mission trips, deeper lesson content, messier games, and more. But what if we got quieter with our kids instead of louder?
Here's a great, thought-provoking activity for your youth group, small group, family devotions, or even for yourself.
Perhaps we need to consider that the "current" in which we are doing youth ministry is changing. As the denomination engages a new model for direction and vision our ministry will inevitably change.
“Can you recommend a good devotional for teens?” “Good” is completely subjective: a devotional that connects with one teen ends up collecting dust for another.
The words we use to describe what we do has a direct relationship to how our ministry is perceived by the congregation and the people we serve.
If there's one buzz word about what our churches deeply desire to be, it's "intergenerational." We all know what it means, right? And we all know when we've achieved it, right? Right?