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Forum Newbie
Group: CVCmembers
Last Login: 1/8/2009 2:35:06 PM
Posts: 6,
Visits: 19
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| Hello, all. My husband and I are really in a unique situation. Our youth ministry has turned from "normal" (I know there really isn't such a thing) to "urban" in no time. We are so excited to see students who are searching for a place in our community and have chosen our program. The problem is that we have no experience with this style of ministry, nor do we know where to find resources. Most of the stuff Group offers is super great for just about any situation, but now we're dealing with behavior issues, real crisis (like homelessness), absent parents, I could go on and on. Does anyone have suggestions as to what resources might be helpful? We're looking for volunteer training resources, curriculum, games for small youth groups, and the like. Thanks for your time. Mackenzie Pinto
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Forum Newbie
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 1/8/2009 11:51:02 AM
Posts: 1,
Visits: 2
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Hi!
Welcome to the wonderful world of urban ministry! 
My husband and I also teach an urban youth group. Ours is very small, with only three "regulars" and others coming in and out all the time. Unfortunately, NONE of our student's parents go to our church, and we have to deal with a lot of disciplinary problems. We love our kids to death, but sometimes they can be "spiritual sandpaper" and really grate your last nerve!
My best advice as far as finding resources is to talk to the kids. Especially new ones. Keep a notepad of questions they ask during your time together. A lot of times they have misconceptions or just general questions that really need to be delved into. If they take interest in a particular story or book in the Bible, take it and run with it!
Our kids decided that they wanted to study Revelations (go figure!) While this is a tough book to tackle, we've decided to do it. We bought a good study guide to go along with it, and my husband and I study a chapter at a time a couple of days before class. Then during class the kids take turns reading sections and then we sit and discuss. It's amazing some of the ideas the kids come up with!
Of course, some days they just aren't going to settle. Last night is a perfect example. After spending about 15-20 minutes of "shh, stop flicking each other, stop calling names, stop burping" we finally got up and said "okay, go home." At first they didn't believe us, but we meant it. We walked them out and sent them home. We explained to them that no one was forcing them to come to class and we wanted them there but only if they wanted to learn.
It may seem harsh, but sometimes you just have to give some tough love. You can't argue and raise your voice with them, because they have become dull against that dealing with their parents and other teens.
Another important thing: make sure you take interest in things they do outside of the church. School plays, baseball games, etc. One of the best nights we had was a random night we went and picked up the kids and took them to Burger King, just because. They opened up and we really had a good time!
Last thing: don't get discouraged. Just because we don't see the fruits of our labor right away doesn't mean a seed hasn't been planted. Sadly you will lose some along the way. We recently ran into one of our 14 yr olds in the neighborhood and he was drunk as a skunk and smelled like weed. We tried to talk with him but he didn't want anything to do with it. We told him we loved him and gave him our number in case he needed us. Maybe one day he will remember that and remember when we used to teach him about Christ's love. But sometimes that's all you can do!
Well that was a lot! Good Luck! God Bless!
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Forum Newbie
Group: CVCmembers
Last Login: 1/8/2009 2:35:06 PM
Posts: 6,
Visits: 19
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| Thank you for replying. We've been battling those same kinds of things with both our children's ministry and the youth programs as well. We are off to our first meeting of this year ready to listen and decide where to go from here. I'm not even sure these students can read the Bible, but we want to teach them about Jesus anyway. I would like to keep in touch with you, seeing as you are the only person who I have found in our same situation. Perhaps we can be encouraging to one another and share ideas. I will post again later about how this evenings meeting went.
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