This book changed how I communicate!

There are a lot of books I have read and have been game changers for me.  But this one completely transformed how I speak.  This is an extremely easy read and the principles are just fantastic and practical.  I would give you a teaser on this book but do you even need one?  Who doesn't want to communicate more effectively?

What book is a must for you?  If I was your volunteer in youth ministry, what book would you hand me?

When Only One Shows Up

It can be really tough and discouraging in youth ministry when only one or two students show up.  It doesn't matter if it is a service, discipleship class, or a fun event.  It is not only hard on you, the leader, but also on the students.  The fact is you are there for the one, not the masses.

Here are a some things to keep in mind:

• Students feel weird when they are the only ones there.  Make that moment about building a relationship with that student.
• If you planned a lot of teaching, feel free to scrap it.  Yep, scrap it.  Help the student feel comfortable.  Play a video game, watch a movie, or (if the parent is okay with it) grab some ice cream.
• Whatever you do....don't cancel!  Cancelling expresses that you don't care to invest your time unless there are lots of listeners.

Though it may be hard on your feelings, it can be great for your ministry and your relationship with the individual.

How have you handled the discouragement?  What have you done when only one shows up?

The True Challenge

Youth ministry will challenge you spiritually, emotionally, and definitely financially. I have found when I make a challenge to the students, I have to make sure that I have challenged myself on the same subject.  We are heading into a season of focusing on evangelism.  I am so excited to see God use students that have never shared the gospel to their friends.  

I realized that I needed to make sure that my heart and my team's hearts are evangelistic.  Is this internalized or just a felt need for our ministry?  I refuse to do something based purely on need.  I must have vision, faith and compassion for evangelism.  How am I reaching my friends and others around me?

Don't settle for ministry of needs but ask for a heart to preach from conviction and compassion.  Ask your accountability partner or members of your ministry team if you are preaching from a place of "have to" or "want to". 

Youth ministry will still challenge you greatly, but I want to be effective and full of faith, not defective and full of crap.  Minister from the heart!

Are you chasing away your visitors?

I wouldn't suggest tying up new kids to keep them because it only works once.  You will never see them again.  There are some other quick ways to lose teens from making your youth ministry home, but let's focus on how to keep them coming.

• Is your ministry geared for teens at different places of faith?  Pretty simple, but simply forgotten.  You have crowd kids (outsiders who show up to events or the bf/gf made them come), congregation kids (the regulars who don't participate), and the core kids (we all love those).  Does your ministry/message speak to them all?
• Are your volunteers/staff interested in teens or just each other?  We are adapting zone coverage for youth ministry services.  This means that a leader/volunteer will be in their own section and will develop friendships with teens.  This also means that my team won't be distracted by one another and each student will get quality time with a person that loves them.
• Are you being intentional?  Sanga Samways from Hillsong Church taught two things that I won't forget.  One, give new students something for visiting when they come in (it shows them we appreciate them, and depending on what you give out, it marks them as a visitor to core students and volunteers). Second, involvement equals connection.  If you can get visitors involved in a team game, it will enable them to meet core students and bam! you have connection.
• Are you reaching out to your teens' friends?  Worlds colliding is real.  Students have neighborhood friends, school friends, church friends and social media friends.  How are you evangelizing?  How are you helping your students reach their friends?  We found lifebooks recently and are really excited at the possibilities.  

What advice would you give to make visitors become regulars?  

Fundraiser Ideas

Fundraising!  I actually feel like it is a curse word in youth ministry.  In the life of youth ministry, you usually have low or no budget.  But to ease the pain, here are some fun ideas I have been a part of!

Video game tournament - Choose the game and have students bring their Xbox or PS3 or Wii and compete.  Your local video game vendor may want to be a part of this and that means great publicity to your target audience.  Fundraising and outreach into one.  Have prizes, food, and drinks.  Maybe a game area where it isn't competitive, but just for fun.

BBQ lunch and picnic - You need great pricing for food cost and coordinating effort, but it lasts for only a couple of hours. I suggest catering if possible.  Have family friendly games and encourage others at the church to a dessert championship.  Anything to draw people.

And my favorite....Flamingo Flocking - People will pay you to flock someone's yard or for insurance to not be flocked.  Here is a video we did as promo:

What are some ideas that have worked for you?  What hasn't?  Do you have a bread winner to share with YM nation?