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| | | Forum Newbie
Group: CVCmembers
Last Login: 9/6/2008 12:21:52 PM
Posts: 4, Visits: 15 |
| | My husband and I have been called to a youth ministry where there is no youth ministry. We are going to be starting from scratch. There are some teens who regularly attend church for Sunday worship services, but no real connection has been made. I am posting this with hopes that some of you who are veterans can offer words of advice. We need everything from prayers, to resources. What has worked for you in the past? Where can I find good quality resources? We are very excited about being able to change lives and we want to be sure to do everything we can to the best of our ability. Any input would be greatly appreciated. In Christ, Mackenzie |
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| | | Forum Guru
Group: Moderators
Last Login: 10/3/2008 6:37:43 PM
Posts: 51, Visits: 168 |
| Hey Mackenzie,
My name is Matt McCage and I am the Moderator the the forums here and for Simply Youth Ministry. After reading your post for approval I wanted to type you a note of encouragement and support. I will definetly be keeping you, your husband and ministry in prayer.
I am guessing your youth ministry education is limited and your head is swimming with excitement, fear, nerves and joy...which is completely normal!!! Remember they are His kids and His ministry. When I first started in full-time youth ministry there were 6 students, three years later we had 83. While I was so excited for the growth I missed the days of a handful of kids. Mininstry is all about relationships. Make the connections first, prepare your hearts and starting developing your philosphy of ministry while you are still in the connecting phase (which by the way, you will always be in the connecting phase!).
Here are a couple of resources I want to recommend to you. You can purchase them at any Christian book store, group.com or simplyyouthministry.com.
1. Jesus Centered Youth Ministry by Rick Lawrence
2. Your First Two Years in Youth Ministry by Doug Fields
as far as actually programming and strategy I would recommend the Saddleback Resource Kit and Purpose Driven Youth Ministry. The Kit you would have to purchase from the folks at Simply but PDYM you can get there or here at Group.
Let me know how it goes!
Matt
energytospare21@yahoo.com
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Forum Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 9/19/2008 9:41:08 AM
Posts: 46, Visits: 141 |
| Yea for you. It's good to have some energetic workers join the force. So you have lots of big ideas, hopes, and dreams. Start slow and don't overextend or you could burn out in just a few months. Plan to do only what you can do. I don't know much about your situation but some basic stuff in any case is: Get each kids name, address, phn #, e-mail, etc. -make a data base. Meet each one -learn their specific needs and backgrounds. Invite them (personally, not thru bulletin announcements) to a dinner/planning time maybe at your house. Goal one: Teach the word. Two: Build the group.
As you get to know the kids, plan lessons they need. Prepackaged curriculums are a good source of ideas but you must personalize the Bible study to your group. Get a subscription to Group magazine.
Do a consistent meeting every week in a good location (carve out a youth zone within your churches facilities). It will grow. Plan an extracurricular event (Like a trip to Acquire The Fire) as the opportunity presents itself -several months down the road. Start looking for additional volunteers.
Pray then follow your heart. You'll be great.
 http://sundayschoollessonconnection.com/ Help and encouragement for Christian Youth Leaders plus free lesson plans to download. |
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| | | Forum Newbie
Group: CVCmembers
Last Login: 9/6/2008 12:21:52 PM
Posts: 4, Visits: 15 |
| | Thank you so much for your encouragement! Right after I read your posting, our Lead Pastor called and told us he had ordered "Purpose Driven Youth Ministry" and "Your First Two Years in Youth Ministry". We are reading them, realizing we might have had visions of grandeur for this first year. I appreciate your words of advice and pointing us in the right direction. I will be continuing to look to all of the regular members of these forums for advice and encouragement. (I will, of course, return the favor.) With a love for Jesus, a passion for youth, and a bunch of ideas, we are pressing on to begin meeting in October. I'll keep everyone posted! Thanks! In Christ, Mackenzie |
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| | | Forum Newbie
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 10/22/2007 4:07:41 PM
Posts: 1, Visits: 3 |
| | I'm doing the same exact thing! We've got two youth in our church that we have come on board at. My wife and I are very excited. once you read through PDYM you might want to check out the PDYM training kit. It is good for you individually and for any leaders you might have to go through the steps in PDYM in a non-threatening and much shorter way. REad the book then use the kit to do the process. I would also suggest checking out the PDYM message boards. There are quite a few people out there doing the PDYM philosophy in their groups. You can also check out the PDYM community at: and check out the new PDYM Blog for some important articles. email me if you would like to talk more about this adventure that we are finding ourselves in and I'll let you know a few more specific things that we are doing right now.
Pastor James |
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Junior Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 7/8/2008 3:29:51 AM
Posts: 18, Visits: 27 |
| Greetings from the UK. I'm new to the forum but saw this thread and thought I'd chime in. Great advice so far. Matt makes a very important point when he says 'ministry is all about relationships.' The time we invest in building relationships will be vital to the long term health and growth of your youth group.
Good thoughts too about using prepackaged curriculums. Why spend time reinventing the programme wheel when you could be with your young people! Battletested also makes a good point, 'prepackaged curriculums are a good source of ideas but you must personalize the Bible study to your group. Don't neglect developing basic youth ministry teaching skills ie don't depend completely curriculums. You'll be more effective in the long term.
Finally, I just wanted to flag up an eBook which might be helpful for your Bible studies. I've uploaded 'Creative Bible Study Methods for Youth Leaders' to the freebies section of youthministry.com. You can also get it from my blog Insight - reflections and resources on christian youth ministry and leadership. There's a bunch of other youth ideas and thoughts there too. Hope it helps.
Insight - reflections and resources on christian youth ministry and leadership |
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