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OUT-HOUSE MINISTRY?
YOUTH MINISTRY is LEADERSHIP Ministry # 6. What if—participation in soccer, choir, robotics, band, work, and football are valued as places of ministry? “Sometimes I am too busy to show up at church. I used to feel guilty. Now my church tells me they need me on the team.” When churches teach skills for caring, welcoming […]
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Peer-In-Midst
PEER-IN-THE-MIDST Chapter 4 in PLAN-IT book by Lyle Griner Youth Ministry Lens #3 I sat in a restaurant watching my mentor and teacher draw a version of this pyramid on the back of a napkin. He was well known for a Sunday-night youth ministry program he had grown from a handful of youth into a regular […]
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More Than Microphones and Committees
I met Rachel age 4 and Beth age 5 pushing small chairs in the halls of the education wing of our church. “Hey girls, what are you doing?” I asked. Beth smiled big and said, “We are playing meeting!” Their response reflected an honest view of what the church has been reduced to. Late night […]
Read More #1 Flipping Youth Ministry Assumptions
Flipping Youth Ministry Assumptions YOUTH-LEAD strategy #1 is really about changing our own view of youth. Let’s begin by viewing youth differently! Instead of assuming youth are a focus for education and motivation, or in need of some kind of club, let’s view them, from the beginning, as ministry leaders. […]
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#2 CREATING A GREAT YOUTH MINISTRY CUTURE
NAME IT, CLAIM IT, TRAIN IT (See also CULTURE KEEPERS and DESIGN #2) You can put together a fantastic program plan, but it is the culture within the ministry that can make it great or cause it to miserably fail! “My kids are way too silly and out of control.” “Our youth don’t want to […]
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DESIGN #2
Youth-Lead Strategies Reality begins with a written plan! Adapt the following plan for your ministry. (See also CULTURE KEEPERS and CREATING A GREAT YOUTH MINISTRY CULTURE )CULTURE KEEPER JOB DESCRIPTION One or two participants are asked to lead this at every event. Their job is […]
Read More CULTURE KEEPERS!
The way to create the culture you want is to present it every time you gather. Ask one or two youth to share three things in thirty seconds! #1:PERSONAL WELCOME something like… I’m _____(your name)______ and I get to say, “We are really glad you are here!” #2: CULTURE STATEMENT Don’t assume culture just […]
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#3 DESIGN
Youth-Lead Strategies Reality begins with a written plan! Adapt the following plan for your ministry. (See also SENDING and RECOMMEND ) JOB DESCRIPTION A sending team of volunteers learn the plans of each graduating high school senior and helps bridge each […]
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steal and use this letter for your seniors (See also SENDING and DESIGNING) Letter of Recommendation From First Church of First Town Greetings! This is our letter of recommendation for Greg Gregory. He will be moving to your area for (school, work) this fall. We hope that Greg will be as involved with a local ministry as […]
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pass your students off to their next ministry(See also RECOMMEND and DESIGNING) 23. What if . . . graduating seniors were prepared and sent into their next ministry? “My church calls me an extension of their ministry.” Youth move on to colleges and other areas of life. Leadership ministry intentionally sends youth to new ministries. When the youth moves […]
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SURPRISE ME, JESUS
I remember reading about the element of surprise in a business journal which touted, “Surprises are what get talked about.” It is true. My memories are not of the ordinary, but of the extraordinary. I remember walking into a restaurant where two employees exuberantly opened two big doors, welcoming me in, learned my name, and […]
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Echoes of Surprise “He remembered my name.” “I never laughed so hard.” “I didn’t expect them to play that song.” “They gave us free pizza at midnight.” “When we pulled in they where all dressed in costumes hanging in the trees.” “He gave me his own hat!” “We came home from the mission trip and […]
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