It is easy to say that kids aren't interested in God, you are too deep for them, or maybe they are too convicted. But let's be brutally honest. It's not them, it's you .... and me. The fact is that students will go to a horrible youth ministry program if their friends go.
What can you do to attract students? I don't mean drop your mission for seeker style church, I mean have both. The longer you are in your ministry, the easier it is too overlook things that will deter returning visitors. Here are just a few:
- Presentation - yep, you need to hear this. People, even teens, care how something looks. Are you presenting excellence or are you saying "This is how it always looks". Ask a friend from a different church or even a non-church goer to come and write down what they notice when they first walk in. This can have an immediate effect on returners.
- Lessons/Series/Sermon - whatever you call it, what is your main purpose in speaking it. Is it relevant and do they understand it? Can they apply it and do they know how to apply it? What will be the result of the student if they apply your main idea? If you can't answer these questions, you might just be passing on information or even worse, just talking without really communicating.
- Environment - Is it a safe place for students to be themselves? Is it a fun place to hang out? Do they feel like it is their place? Can non-Christians come and feel welcome?
- You/Your team - Are you relate-able? Does your team value teens over tasks? Can anyone join your team or is it tough to crack your circle of trust?
What are some things you figured out along the way? What advice would you give to me? I am all ears (not literally, because that is weird).
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