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youthrev -> RE: Need Ideal for Youth group (8/18/2008 9:58:29 AM)
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I was in a small youth group in church and I have been the first youth pastor at two churches, trying to start up a youth ministry, and was called as the youth pastor to a church trying to rebuild after a conflict. I understand small budgets and how difficult change can be, so I want to encourage you.
Here are some things to consider:
1. It takes a long time to build a base because kids are about relationships as well as activities. Work on the relationships.
2. For your activities, make up your own games with things that you can find at Wal-mart and build up your resources. Look online for games using the things you can use more than once, such as "duct tape games" or "water games". Buy a big Rubbermaid tub with a lid ($9-$17 at Wal-mart) and get a couple things for a game night. The next game night (or ice breaker for studies, etc.) get a couple more things. Things you should always have: small athletic cones, duct tape, bandanas, soft foam or sponge balls, shaving cream, kiddie pools, various size balloons, rubber bands, q-tips, 5-gallon buckets, hula hoop(s), XXL fleece sweatsuits or long underwear, masking or painters tape, a stopwatch and whistle, and frisbees. I just recently bought some swim fins for a new game I created. In the long run, you'll save money by buying these things because you can create your own games or do games that others have created using these items. Many of them are student ministry staples. You may even want to ask church members to pick up something from the list the next time they are at wal-mart. and drop it in the big tub in the fellowship hall. Just a thought.
3. Add a devotion to your game times just to give a taste to the kids. Read them cool stories from the Bible and get Bible trivia stuff and "cool and disgusting stories" books from a Christian bookstore. These have lessons tied in with them sometimes. Start building your library of youth ministry materials from the clearance sections of Christian bookstores and get free lessons and games for youth ministry online.
4. As someone else mentioned, do local mission projects. Start with people in the church so they can be served by young people, so youth can get to know the adults in the church, and so the student ministry will have supporters when complaints come; and they WILL come.
5. Be safe. Set the example in all you do, and establish and uphold rules for behavior. Don't encourage harmful pranks or any destructive behavior and let them know that we are to honor each other, not tear each other down. Have fun with the kids and let them poke fun, but speak to them regularly about honor.
6. Don't badmouth anyone else, especially church leadership. The youth need to learn from you that honor should be freely given and what submission to authority looks like. If you disrespect the pastor, they will, too.
Welcome to youth ministry. It's very exciting, and I'm sure you'll do great! Learn lessons and be fluid (flexibility is too stiff) with your ministry and watch for little things that God does.
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