In Habakkuk 2:2-3, we are told to “write the vision”.  What if you lack imagination?  I build teenagers, not state of the art teen facilities.  I have been given an opportunity to build a youth sanctuary.  The problem is I don’t even know where to start.  The room we need to transform can seat 200 comfortable, has a really high ceiling, and currently looks like a high school cafeteria (multi colored tile floor design included).  I need ideas, themes, and concepts.  My ministry reaches never-been to church kids.  I don’t claim to be the hippest guy in the world, but I really need a different / fresh idea.  My question is, “If you had unlimited resources (money, volunteers, and support), what kind of teenage sanctuary would you build?”  

BTW, if you already have a kick-butt facility, could you send me a picture?  I really need the help.

- Craig (Louisville, KY)

pastor ben

I'll try an add more picture on Thursday.

Big screen TV's and old video games are getting easy to come by.  Just ask a local custom installer if they can direct one your way.  Kids like the novelty of playing the old games.

Couches, bean bag chairs.  Make it as little like a classroom or sanctuary as you can. Color, lots of color.

What fun.

http://sundayschoollessonconnection.com/

what is best atmosphere for them to connect with God?

those are the two questions that should invade the planning.  you have certainly been given a great opportunity, one  that a lot of youth pastors would die for! games are great... a concert setup is great... we use old games and pool tables and ping pong tables, etc.  But just remember, those are all surface stuff.  focus on the space as a whole.

will you do worship?  if so then where will the students stand... will there be an altar time?

will you do breakout groups? if so, where will they be at... will you use tables, etc.?

are you looking to do times and games and hanging out?  all these things will come into play when you decide how to set it up. 

It is ok to take ideas from other groups... after all there is nothing new under the sun, but don't get caught in the duplication trap.  What has worked for others may not work for your group, your target students or your commmunity.

and most importantly, pray about it... God will give you wisdom in what is the best way to utilize this tool that He gave you to glorify Him with.

congrats on that opportunity, may God bless this group!

Level 5 Student Ministry

www.stcharlesassembly.org

That way if I want to create a worshipful, quiet space for a prayer path experience, I can do that.  If I want to do a rock concert, I can do that.  If I want to make something dark, I can do that.  If I want to flood the place with light, I can do that.  I would make it totally adaptable so that each worship experience could be set up however worked best.

Of course, this is also my dream ADULT sanctuary!  LOL

God Bless,

Josh

Group's Crocodile Dock VBS 2009 June 15-19, 2009

We went to online graffetti sights and designed an Anti-Gravity logo with a lil guy with spray paint, we saved it to our computer and projected onto the wall. Then we very carefully traced and painted. It looks great and hip. Then on another long wall we did the same thing with a skater, a biker and a basketball player. We goggled silhouette of skate boarders, basketball players and bikers (BMX style). We picked the best of each category, projected them, traced them and then painted each a youthy solid color. This cost is all most nothing and it looks great. Yes, it takes some time but it's worth it in the end. And if your walls aren't concrete like ours, I'll bet it'll be a lot easier.

I hope everything works out!

Deb