Thinking Small: Effective Youth Ministry for Small Churches

Small church youth groups should be encouraged to hear that many recent youth ministry trends- highlighted by resources like Fuller Youth Institute’s Sticky Faith Initiative  and Mark Oestreicher’s book Youth Ministry 3.0- are actually quite favorable to them (intergenerational experiences, for example).  It’s time for these smaller youth ministries to reject youth ministry models that are impossible for them to create and hone in on trends that are conducive to their current situation.  Small churches can have vibrant youth ministries by:

1.      Remembering the true purpose of your church’s youth ministry.  Any student ministry “worth its salt” has planting seeds to be used by God to transform students into devout, life-long disciples of Christ as part of their mission/vision.  This is a mission that can be fulfilled regardless of the size of your ministry.  If you believe that your ministry cannot be effective in its current condition, than it won’t be!

2.      Making your youth group predictable.  It is true that creativity is an important part of student ministry but equally so is consistency and the two can coexist.  Young people crave consistency and an effective youth group will provide it.  This is especially vital when it comes to the discipline policies and basic structure of a youth meeting.  Make sure all parties involved know the process for misbehavior and make sure that all leaders follow it to the rule.  This will minimize distractions and you might find that it brings out the best in your students.  Create a basic outline for youth meetings and follow it every week.  I would suggest opening with some fellowship time and a fun activity/game.  If you have snacks at your youth group build in specific times for munching and limit students to this time.  As you move into the content have a specific flow that you stick to.  I suggest opening with the scripture.  Here’s a hint, use the scripture that your pastor is preaching on.  You can chose to prep (lesson before the sermon) or reinforce (lesson after the sermon) the sermon with your youth meeting.  Next, if at all possible reinforce the sermon with some sort of media.  You can find clips for every situation on Youtube or Vimeo (even if it is from a cheesy bible movie).  If you have a second text sandwich the media piece with the two readings.  Now create four or five open ended discussion questions for the group to explore.  Yes/no answers should be treated as if they are the black plague.  Don’t try to steer things too much you will be able to take things in the right direction with a wrap up (5 minutes or less) at the end of the night.  You may pray at other times during the night but always close the night with prayer.  Give students a few minutes to share praises and requests.  Challenge students to pray but don’t push them too hard.  

3.      Making hospitality a priority. I have a friend who is a part time youth director at a small church.  His youth group is booming.  So what’s the secret?  The vast majority of his students aren't from the church.  The days when you had to be a big fun group to attract students is all but over.  If a student knows that his or her friend will be welcomed and loved in your group no matter what than they will be willing to invite them.  If that student feels comfortable and that he or she belongs than he or she will keep coming.  In order for this to happen hospitality has to be more than an afterthought. 

If a youth ministry, no matter how small, is discipleship driven, consistent and hospitable it will not only be an effective ministry, it will also be one in the position to experience numerical growth.