by: William Davis
At this year’s National Bus Convention, I was asked the question, “How do I start a Youth Ministry?” I met with many of the youth workers who had come for training and was encouraged by the hunger to reach teenagers. Yet, there were still so many questions, “We only have a few teens in our church, how can we have a Teen Department?” “Where do you find teens?” “How do you get them to church?” Others had recently started a youth ministry and had found a few teenagers, but had a strong desire to grow and impact their church and community for Christ. When Bus Convention was over, I jotted down seven suggestions for starting and sustaining a strong youth department.
1. Start with what you got.
Have a meeting with the teenagers in your church. Whether it is two or twenty, share with them your purpose, plan and passion for the Youth department in your church.
“But all I have are bus teens” – Then start with them!
“But all I have are Juniors”- Then start with them!
If you absolutely, positively cannot find one single young person anywhere in the ministries of your church, or if you have some but want more, then start soul winning and go win some to the Lord!!!!
2. Secure workers
While this may just include running things by your wife, you will need more than one person to have a growing youth department. You will need a lady to work with the young ladies and a man to work with the young men. There are no set worker to teen ratios because each ministry is different. However, having at least one of each is advised.
3. Set a time to meet.
Whether it is on Wednesday night in conjunction with the Bible Study and Prayer Meeting, or another night during the week, have a service set aside just for the youth department. Here at Clays Mill Road Baptist Church, we meet at 5:45PM on Wednesday for “Power Hour,” a weekly teen service before our 7PM Bible Study and prayer meeting.
4. Study the Scriptures
During your youth meetings, have games, skits, songs and times of fun, but center everything around the Word of God. Make sure from day one that your youth department is built on the Bible. Have sermons and lessons at EVERY meeting and activity. Whether it is a full-blown sermon, or just a devotion on the way home from the zoo; Preach the Word!
5. Shape spiritual influence.
One of the main reasons that you should not let numbers dictate how you operate your youth department is because each teenager represents the opportunity for you to influence them for the will of God. Visit them in their homes, write them letters, check on them when they miss, praise them when they do well and correct them when they do wrong. Build more than just a group, build a relationship with every teenager in that group.
6. Schedule activities.
In addition to your weekly meeting, have special activities that you can promote to the youth department. Have activities at the church, traveling to a preaching conference, going skiing, laser tag, go-carts, etc. This will encourage new teens to come and keep current teens excited about all that is going on at church.
7. Support the pastor and the church 100%.
Everything the youth department does should be in step with the direction of the pastor and the church. There are many churches who claim to be “Old Fashioned,” but if you peak into their youth department you will find a different story. You do not have to build a counter culture or even a subculture in the youth department. Keep the youth department exactly what it is supposed to be; a branch of the church. The youth pastor is not to be leading an anti-establishment rebellion, he is to be preparing the youth to be faithful serving church members.
This should get you started. If you are already up and going, make it a practice to push the “Reset” button occasionally, just to make sure you haven’t allowed the teens, yourself or other influences to change the purpose of the youth department. I often do this myself. If you have any questions, I would be glad to help! Now go start your youth department!
William Davis
Youth Pastor
Clays Mill Road Baptist Church
Lexingtion, KY