Sponsored by the MidAmerica Region: Prairie Star, Central Midwest & Heartland Districts Nancy Combs-Morgan & Dori Thexton Sustainable Youth Ministry
May 22, 2015
Sponsored by the MidAmerica Region:Prairie Star, Central Midwest &
Heartland DistrictsNancy Combs-Morgan & Dori Thexton
Sustainable Youth Ministry
What would an enduring Youth Ministry look like in a congregation?
Can you just give us some good ideas?Can you keep our youth ministry from
failing?Do you understand how different we are?Will you help my congregation
understand it’s not just about the numbers?
Can you keep the politics away from youth ministry?
You know you’re “stuck” if you’re asking these
questions.
There’s no easy button: the crisis of chronic underinvestment
Steeple chasingUnderinvestmentMis-investment Questions of
capacity: o Budget $1,000
minimum per youtho One full-time staff
for every 50 youtho One adult for every
five youth
Myths of Superstar Youth Directors
One youth staff can handle it.
Wallpaper vs. concrete
“We’ll never hire from within our church”
With a new youth director, our volunteers won’t have to work so hard.
Content thinking vs. systems thinking
Structures of SustainabilityControl documents –
annual events calendar, job descriptions, master recruiting list, curriculum template
Youth ministry mission/vision statement
3 year planStatement of values
Healthy youth staff and longevityEmotional health –
appropriate boundaries, intentional spiritual practices, accountable relationships
Balcony time; three kinds of meetings; the value of “third pig” youth workers
Whose job is it anyway?Youth ministry is the congregation’s ministry, not just that of specialists who can relate to teenagers. The mandate to BE THERE for young people belongs to the whole faith community.Kenda Creasy Dean
I got involved in youth ministry because I don’t want to deal with congregational politics!
Recruiting – a process that works!Teams are crucial
to the long-term success of youth ministry.
The first step of calling volunteers is the hardest.
Blanket appeals and mass announcements don’t work!
Start early – at least 6 months before volunteer term begins
Identify your needs – RE teachers, advisors, event leaders/organizers, planning committee members, small group leaders
Be strategic in recruiting – don’t ask an “A” player to do a “C” level job
Develop master recruiting list for future use
Start smiling and dialing!
When you follow the steps, it works!
Sustainable Approach Long-term focus on
single issue Responsibility
shared by a team Regular meetings – 3
kinds of meetings Working a plan
o Episodic focus, disconnected meetings
o Responsibility carried by the youth staffperson
o Concerns raised randomly and reactively
o Expectation of quick fix; reacting to anxiousness
When all the brilliant plans don’t work
Traditional Approach
Sustainable Youth Ministry Builder’s List
Stage 1: Creating blueprint & preparing for the processStage 2: Laying the foundationStage 3: Beginning to buildStage 4: Framing the second floor
The bolder our plans, the more competent people we attract. Mike Woodruff