I need help with a systems change in youth

aaron_boydstun · Jul 20, 2016

We are a relatively small church with about 150-175 attendance on sunday mornings. Currently we are doing sunday morning small group meetings and Wednesday night corporate worship and message. This is how it was when I started in December, so I have not changed to much yet.

However, I am looking to shake things up a bit to try and engage our teens in the lives of those in our community. I have been throwing around the idea of spending 2 Wednesday nights a month away from our campus this year either serving in the community, reaching out to the community, or just having fun with the community with emphasis on sharing the Gospel during those outings.

On the other Wednesday nights of the month doing kind of what we have been doing so that if we have students who want to bring friends that they still have a chance to get to know who we are before we throw them out into service.

Any thoughts on pros, cons, or other suggestions on how to accomplish such a task?

Lill · Jul 29, 2016

Hi there, Your church is bigger than mine. Sounds like you have a great thing going there. Looking back I remember when I was a teenager my youth leaders just offered us a place to hang out and socialize with good company and a little guidance. It was so good for me. I think it saved me as a teenager. I think it is great to teach them to think beyond themselves and to help others, however, my thinking would be to do it once a month until they ask for more because they work so hard at school with so many pressures on them that they need a safe place to chill and fellowship. There are many other things to do also like see what is on Christian music wise or youth things going on in your area . My youth group took us all carol singing during Christmas time when we gave sweets to people rather than collecting, to bless them. It is also a good idea to get together with other youth groups for worship meetings or football ect. ( Sorry English) tug of war in the park or take them on picnics/ walks or trips to the cinema. Also allow the Holy Spirit to lead you in identifying youth leaders out of your group and help train them to lead. Also I heard quiet a few years ago about how Jesus wants the Children to be as involved in church as us adults and that has been my thing. Children can pray for others and Jesus can use them . Young children can tune into the spirit quickly once they know how to . They dont have so much baggage to get though as us adults. Teaching children to pray for one another at an early age is so important I feel . So teaching teenagers to pray for each other is also important. You could go on pray walks around your area.
I have probably rabbited on a bit to much sorry

beforHim · Aug 1, 2016

aaron_boydstun said:
I have been throwing around the idea of spending 2 Wednesday nights a month away from our campus this year either serving in the community, reaching out to the community, or just having fun with the community with emphasis on sharing the Gospel during those outings.

This is normal youth group stuff, so go for it! Easy places to help at, even in smaller communities, include hospitals, nursing homes, senior citizen groups. Even businesses- let a business know you're looking to help in the community and see if they want to "partner" with your group to do outreach top the poor, marginalized, etc. Restaurants can donate left over food, grocery stores can host food drives, etc. Places such as Dr.s, law firms, big businesses are always looking for ways to "contribute" to the community.

How to accomplish such tasks? I've been rather general here. I'd say just search google for ideas, you'll find them easily enough.

aaron_boydstun · Aug 1, 2016

Lill said:
Hi there, Your church is bigger than mine. Sounds like you have a great thing going there. Looking back I remember when I was a teenager my youth leaders just offered us a place to hang out and socialize with good company and a little guidance. It was so good for me. I think it saved me as a teenager. I think it is great to teach them to think beyond themselves and to help others, however, my thinking would be to do it once a month until they ask for more because they work so hard at school with so many pressures on them that they need a safe place to chill and fellowship. There are many other things to do also like see what is on Christian music wise or youth things going on in your area . My youth group took us all carol singing during Christmas time when we gave sweets to people rather than collecting, to bless them. It is also a good idea to get together with other youth groups for worship meetings or football ect. ( Sorry English) tug of war in the park or take them on picnics/ walks or trips to the cinema. Also allow the Holy Spirit to lead you in identifying youth leaders out of your group and help train them to lead. Also I heard quiet a few years ago about how Jesus wants the Children to be as involved in church as us adults and that has been my thing. Children can pray for others and Jesus can use them . Young children can tune into the spirit quickly once they know how to . They dont have so much baggage to get though as us adults. Teaching children to pray for one another at an early age is so important I feel . So teaching teenagers to pray for each other is also important. You could go on pray walks around your area.
I have probably rabbited on a bit to much sorry

Thank you Lill. That was very helpful to know that there are other minds out there that are thinking like me. We just spent the last 3 Wednesdays walking around our local middle and high schools in prayer before the school year kicks off again in a few weeks. Also I totally agree with the once a month thing until they want more. Currently we are in the process of renovating the small building we use for youth so that there is a nice coffee shop type hang out in it so they have a nice space to feel free to fellowship and hangout. We are pretty limited however in the area of good entertainment because we are a small town. The closest place to get that is 2 hours away at minimum. And even there its pretty limited. But thanks for your thoughts. I appreciate you taking time to help me out!

Aaron

aaron_boydstun · Aug 1, 2016

beforHim said:
This is normal youth group stuff, so go for it! Easy places to help at, even in smaller communities, include hospitals, nursing homes, senior citizen groups. Even businesses- let a business know you're looking to help in the community and see if they want to "partner" with your group to do outreach top the poor, marginalized, etc. Restaurants can donate left over food, grocery stores can host food drives, etc. Places such as Dr.s, law firms, big businesses are always looking for ways to "contribute" to the community.

How to accomplish such tasks? I've been rather general here. I'd say just search google for ideas, you'll find them easily enough.

Thanks for the thoughts. They are much appreciated!
Aaron

Victor E. · Aug 5, 2016

aaron_boydstun said:
We are a relatively small church with about 150-175 attendance on sunday mornings. Currently we are doing sunday morning small group meetings and Wednesday night corporate worship and message. This is how it was when I started in December, so I have not changed to much yet.

However, I am looking to shake things up a bit to try and engage our teens in the lives of those in our community. I have been throwing around the idea of spending 2 Wednesday nights a month away from our campus this year either serving in the community, reaching out to the community, or just having fun with the community with emphasis on sharing the Gospel during those outings.

On the other Wednesday nights of the month doing kind of what we have been doing so that if we have students who want to bring friends that they still have a chance to get to know who we are before we throw them out into service.

Any thoughts on pros, cons, or other suggestions on how to accomplish such a task?

Take RISKS! There is merit to order in the church but I believe there is also merit to disorder so Holy Spirit can work! In good judgment, there are many cool things that can be done that kids and children may find more enjoyable! This is actually the state my church is in right now (I joined to maybe be able to help change it through the Holy Spirit). I think a church that has become satisfied with how things are, is a church that will dry up quickly! I am pleased to hear that you recognize this! Godspeed!

I will also add it will be helpful for members of churches (congregation, elders, deacons, pastors, anyone) to recognize their spiritual gifts, allow God to grow them, and use what He has given to serve the entire church and outside the church in ministry.

Matthew 5:13-16 I feel called to share with you. I have 0 experience in this field. Take my advice "with a grain of salt"

aaron_boydstun · Aug 5, 2016

victor de Jehova Tsidkenu said:
Take RISKS! There is merit to order in the church but I believe there is also merit to disorder so Holy Spirit can work! In good judgment, there are many cool things that can be done that kids and children may find more enjoyable! This is actually the state my church is in right now (I joined to maybe be able to help change it through the Holy Spirit). I think a church that has become satisfied with how things are, is a church that will dry up quickly! I am pleased to hear that you recognize this! Godspeed!

I will also add it will be helpful for members of churches (congregation, elders, deacons, pastors, anyone) to recognize their spiritual gifts, allow God to grow them, and use what He has given to serve the entire church and outside the church in ministry.

Matthew 5:13-16 I feel called to share with you. I have 0 experience in this field. Take my advice "with a grain of salt"

Thanks for the advice... I have always felt like if we are not changing we are not growing both numerically and spiritually. That is changing for a reason not just for the sake of change. However our church has a hard time with change as do most, but we are trying as a staff to work on creating a culture of fluidity and change.

Your thoughts are much appreciated tho!!
Aaron

Bill Beaver · Dec 2, 2016

aaron_boydstun said:
We are a relatively small church with about 150-175 attendance on sunday mornings. Currently we are doing sunday morning small group meetings and Wednesday night corporate worship and message. This is how it was when I started in December, so I have not changed to much yet.

However, I am looking to shake things up a bit to try and engage our teens in the lives of those in our community. I have been throwing around the idea of spending 2 Wednesday nights a month away from our campus this year either serving in the community, reaching out to the community, or just having fun with the community with emphasis on sharing the Gospel during those outings.

On the other Wednesday nights of the month doing kind of what we have been doing so that if we have students who want to bring friends that they still have a chance to get to know who we are before we throw them out into service.

Any thoughts on pros, cons, or other suggestions on how to accomplish such a task?

I like your idea, also have a suggestion that may take you in a slightly different direction. Our youth group does some similar things but it's not set up to do an outside activity on a schedule. Mostly because it becomes more of a routine than a mission. If you have a youth director who can relate to the kids on their level but also in a professional manner, you can be very successful in bringing in friends that many times do not have a church and need your outreach as much as the other outside activities you're contemplating. This is a great time for youth to learn and share in a setting they feel comfortable with. As your group forms its own identity they will seek out and find things to help the community and will love doing it as a Team.

Pastor Glenn · Feb 21, 2017

aaron_boydstun said:
We are a relatively small church with about 150-175 attendance on sunday mornings. Currently we are doing sunday morning small group meetings and Wednesday night corporate worship and message. This is how it was when I started in December, so I have not changed to much yet.

However, I am looking to shake things up a bit to try and engage our teens in the lives of those in our community. I have been throwing around the idea of spending 2 Wednesday nights a month away from our campus this year either serving in the community, reaching out to the community, or just having fun with the community with emphasis on sharing the Gospel during those outings.

On the other Wednesday nights of the month doing kind of what we have been doing so that if we have students who want to bring friends that they still have a chance to get to know who we are before we throw them out into service.

Any thoughts on pros, cons, or other suggestions on how to accomplish such a task?

victor de Jehova Tsidkenu said:
Take RISKS! There is merit to order in the church but I believe there is also merit to disorder so Holy Spirit can work! In good judgment, there are many cool things that can be done that kids and children may find more enjoyable! This is actually the state my church is in right now (I joined to maybe be able to help change it through the Holy Spirit). I think a church that has become satisfied with how things are, is a church that will dry up quickly! I am pleased to hear that you recognize this! Godspeed!

I will also add it will be helpful for members of churches (congregation, elders, deacons, pastors, anyone) to recognize their spiritual gifts, allow God to grow them, and use what He has given to serve the entire church and outside the church in ministry.

Matthew 5:13-16 I feel called to share with you. I have 0 experience in this field. Take my advice "with a grain of salt"

Pastor Glenn · Feb 21, 2017

I was in ministry for many years, now retired. Take a look at my ministry site and share it with others - lots of great stuff !

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I need help with a systems change in youth

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beforHim

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aaron_boydstun

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Victor E.

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