Many youth ministries are in decline and dying. Ask yourself these key questions: Do I have a life outside ministry?, Do I have an emotionally healthy schedule?, How much do I know about what I dont know?, Do I rule my tongue, or does it rule me?, Whom do I take more seriously God or myself, What am I fighting about?, What do I do after I fail?, Can I say no to people?, and Am I burning out?. Six Stages of a Dying Church ThomRainer.com Bill Gepford is currently serving as a TiM associate pastor at Colby United Methodist Church, Colby, Kansas (2013-2015). Whos with me? They unanimously agreed to do whatever it takes to become a healthy, outreach-oriented church. With that in mind, here are five best practices taken from real church leaders (and me, a former youth group member and leader) to help you build strong relationships with the youth in your ministry and keep them eager to come to church. It has generated a whole lot of practical ideas to steer the youth, "Thank you for lessons which improve my knowledge about leading my ministry. There are no easy answers or quick fixes that will lead to a strong youth ministry. In this first of a two blog series, Gepford explains why he started the program and what he did once the program was in place. 50 Ways to Strengthen Ministry with Youth Don't wait until you have youth ministry figured out. Adoptive Youth Ministry: Integrating Emerging Generations into the Family of Faith This book shares how to develop a meaningful and transformative youth ministry that adjusts to. Before the competition, you can arrange to pray and join hands with the team and share a scripture that will become a seed in their lives. Change the setting. I'll be sharing some ideas on how to revive a dying youth ministry. Build a master recruiting list by deciding how many volunteers the ministry needs for the coming year and who the most likely prospects are to call. See 2 Corinthians 3:18. And God is igniting their strategies in ways they never expected with results they could have never dreamed of. It is important to have a plan in place and to be prepared for the challenges that will come your way. Take the issue head-on, pray, sing, set a mood where the teenagers will be prodded toward falling in love with God. After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. Its time for revival and it starts with you choosing to lead the way! They keep showing up so we keep juggling flaming poodles (so to speak) to keep their attention. people eventually pass away. By taking advantage of the best youth group ideas for small churches, it is possible for religious leaders to implement youth development activities that can help make a . Put aside your ego and point to Jesus. Reviving a Youth Ministry - Part 1 - greatplainsumc.org In addition, his articles and reviews have been published in a variety of journals and magazines. Milestone Church uses text messages to engage its youth ministry. I was a resistant, skeptical, former Catholic who found himself at a protestant Bible College seeking God. We went to a small bed-and-breakfast, and there we simply dreamed, prayed and bound our hearts together. Which programs help your students grow the most? Does GenerationS apply to my youth ministry if I am from a small church? Outreach Magazine. The story of how a fatherless street kid overcame violence, chaos, and confusion to become a radical Christ follower. All rights reserved. Thats why you need to know how to revive a dying youth ministry. If you're one of these youth pastors whose youth group is in decline, I feel for you. Youth Ministry Restart: How I Knew And How It Happened 9 Interpretations, How to Use Angel Numbers for Manifestation, to maintain that young mind and always have that love for children, to understand how they feel by being able to go down to their level. 16 Ways to Build a Youth Ministry That Will Last - Crosswalk.com ", Philip Ryken: Defining and Proclaiming Our Shared Gospel Message, 10 Things Pastors Often Keep to Themselves, Sharing the Gospel Even With a Stranger, Bible App for Kids Celebrates 100 Million Installs Worldwide, How You Can Support Easter Services With Prayer, 20th Annual Outreach Resources of the Year: Theology and Biblical Studies, Nine changes dying churches must make immediately. Powered by Soulheart. The call to reach out to others is loud and clear and the call to be mediocre does not live in the the mouth of God. Scientists at (RPI) Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have found that when just 10 percent of the population holds an unshakable belief, their belief will always be adopted by the majority of the society. Science Daily, July 26, 2011. Sustainable Youth Ministry: Why Most Youth Ministry Doesn't Last and What Your Church Can Do About It, Sustainable Youth Ministry: Why Most Youth Ministry Doesnt Last and What Your Church Can Do About It, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. 2. Ive been there. 5. 5 Verses to Revive Your Heart for Ministry - Free Indeed Was it the fast? We often waste energy trying to get every teenager on board with our vision. Every day, decide what your most important priorities will be, and focus on them. Our passion is to share what so many have shared with us over the years. Are you interceding on behalf of teenagers? College-aged helpers have been where the younger students are more recently than older ministry leaders, meaning they may have an easier time understanding their struggles in the context of the current societal and political climate. One of the very first things I did was to gather the core couples together on a weekend retreat. 10 Steps to Building an Effective Youth Ministry Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 261,061 times. Article Images Copyright , 16 Ways to Build a Youth Ministry That Will Last, Mother's Day and the Dilemma the Church Faces. And God is igniting their strategies in ways they never expected, with amazing results. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Are you interceding on behalf of your teenagers? If your youth ministry doesnt give students the chance to be with the kind of friends they want, the students wont stick around to participate in the ministrys programs no matter how fun or creative they are. Your focus is too narrow if you think that youth ministry is just about teaching and engaging with young people. Will GenerationS help me start a youth ministry? Can we do anything about it? Thank you.". ", dirigir una pastoral juvenil de forma exitosa, Organizzare un Gruppo Giovanile Religioso di Successo, . For a dying church to move to a thriving church, they must: 1. 1. Acts 4:31 gives a micro recipe for revival, After they prayed the place where they were meeting was shaken. Like Jesus speaking to Lazarus inside that grace, we must speak life over those kids. Dont just make converts but make disciples who make disciples. Create a directory of students, another directory of staff and volunteers, and a final directory of people who have visited your youth ministry during the past two to three years. And say to Archippus, "See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord." Colossians 4:7 It's easy to equate ministry as volunteerism, or an activity you sign up for at church. GenerationS Conference and Strong Church Summit FAQ God and I had a struggle going on. He ministered to the crowds but poured 3 1/2 years of his life into the high-will/raw- skill disciples. 10 Behavior changes dying churches must make to thrive 2. The long and short of it is, younger members will be more comfortable if you act like someone your age, rather than trying to pass as a 16-year-old. The Holy Spirit is the only one who can refresh, renew and revive His church. Operate in light of your primary missionmaking disciples. When youre criticized, dont react defensively. As a kid, how many times did you roll your eyes at the adults in your life who clumsily tried to act relatable? Great churches. Can organizing sports competitions help improve youth interest in God? All Rights Reserved. The church has grown. To revitalize a church, the older congregation must want to change. Some people need to leave, and you need to help them. So, I got angry. Some seeds we sow will land on hard hearts. Too often, plateaued churches focus on growing the church numerically before they correct the drift philosophically. It is important to raise youth that are absolutely sold out to God. 2023 Acts 29. As a result 3,000 were added to their number that day. Help make a superstar instead of looking for one to come to you. Give them job descriptions, behavioral covenants, and an accountability structure. This comes with the added perk of being confidential and building trust. Finally, we decided to try reaching people like us. I considered quitting. The answer is a resounding YES!! If there is no acceptance, it is impossible to see what to change. Identify and recruit the 10%ers to join you. A key way of inspiring your teens to evangelize is to tell stories of changed lives in every youth group meeting. We are called to a happy holiness not a sour sanctification. In fact, a 2020 study by the Springtide Research Institute found that only 8% of participants between the ages of 13 and 25 who are part of a religious group say they have a trusted religious leader they could turn to if needed. one of three phrases I suggest youth pastors eliminate. Reason #4 - Young Christians' church experiences related to sexuality are often . They left Jesus because they didnt want to put the mental or spiritual work to understand. Write job descriptions that clearly outline the scope of staff and volunteer position responsibilities. We tried for months to reach the families in the homes surrounding our church. How to REVIVE Your MinistryIs your ministry dying? The joy of our salvation should drive the excitement of our sanctification! Lord, we desire for our friends, families, and neighbors to be open and to seek and find the truth of the. wikiHow is a wiki, similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. This article has been viewed 261,061 times. Prepare yourself. Map out the ministrys annual events on a calendar. Chris presented this material at Engage 2017,Acts 29US Wests annual conference. Dont make your decisions on the basis of your feelings, which depend on changing circumstances and are unreliable. While not ideal, restarting your ministry can lead to a new, exciting and fruitful season that revitalizes your ministry and helps even more people come to know Christ. While the content of your youth ministry is important, it cant be delivered properly if your ministrys system is flawed. Angry at God. Rather than spending time trying to recruit a youth pastor with superstar qualities (like charisma, compassion, and creativity), build the kind of ministry infrastructure that will help any moderately gifted youth pastor thrive in his or her role. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Students need to know youre not just a good person, but someone who can do what they say they can do. In a plant, you get to write the rulebook. It depends on the church, of course, but statistically, churches often struggle to connect with kids and teens. Develop key documents. As I reflect back and try to understand how our church was transformed, I never land on any specific programs, strategies or methods that were the secret. First thing, take a breath. Focus on one issue at a time. Interestingly, the word revival never appears in the New Testament. How to Revive a Dying Youth Ministry: 5 Biblical Pointers, LAs Atheist Street Pirates Go National in Efforts To Remove Illegal Religious Signs, Fulani Kill 18 Christians, Wound Pastor in Plateau State, Nigeria, Charles Stanleys Grandson Defends Decision To Auction Off Inherited Items, Another Pastor Charged With Mass Killing of Followers in Kenya, You Do Not Want To Be in This ChairNew Docuseries To Feature First Carl Lentz Interview Since Scandal, I Wont Be Silent, Greg Locke Declares After Receiving Death Threat From Witchcraft Practicing Psycho, 4 Truths the Next Generation Needs To Know About the Church, Things to Pray For: Topics and Tips for Youth Ministers, Parents & Teens, Popularity: How to Help Preteens Redefine the Standards, Media Influence: How Hollywood Has Hijacked Our Minds, Teens and Church: 6 Things Young People Need From You, Bible Activities for Preteens: 3 Easy, Effective Devotions Kids Will Love, Sex Is Not Sexy: Help Young People Value the True Purpose of Sex, The Next Great Awakening: 3 Signs That Revival Has (Already) Begun, A God Honoring Way for Teens To Discuss Political Topics. Its easy to tell when the dead are back to life. If you want your young people to come to church, youve got to reach out to them where they already are (Hint: Thats on their phones). if it wont directly help your ministry fulfill its unique vision. Four Strategies for Reviving a Dying Church | Breeze ChMS Having younger mentors helping with classes and activities can open up more high-energy options for the students. 1 reason teens stay away from youth groups is because meetings are boring. Start putting these principles into practice now. 5 Steps: How to Revive a Dying Youth Ministry Take these 5 action steps to unleash the force of revival. Do you practice intercessory prayer with student leaders? The revival Im witnessing unfold in power-packed pockets across the country are happening where the youth leaders are committed to intercessory prayer. These cookies do not store any personal information. Look at your system before your content. Begging kids to bring their friends lowers the standard of your youth ministry. Before I came to my current church, they had been on a 15-year plateau followed by a near-death experience due to a leadership conflict. 4. The church is declining numerically, but no one seems concerned. It's easy for us to allow all sorts of things to distract us from our mission of sharing the gospel and making disciples. He caused me to roll up my sleeves and get to work. If group programming is predictable, change it. Its frustrating. If youre not willing to lose some kids, youre not giving yourself a chance to gain any. He has trained youth workers on five continents and has taught courses or been a guest lecturer at a number of colleges and seminaries. Are they 10%ers? ", youth ministry, praying and connecting with God daily is very important. Mark DeVries (M.Div., Princeton Theological Seminary) is the founder of Youth Ministry Architects, a consulting team that assists churches in building sustainable youth ministries (www.ymarchitects.com). PASSION WILL TURN YOUR YOUTH MINISTRY AROUND, Youth Group Message On Serving Others: 3 Kinds Of People To Serve, Helping Your Students Develop Spiritual Habits, The Exciting Summer Outreach Program That Will Grow Your Youth Ministry, Your teaching style might have to change in order to help kids level up, Focus on growing students not growing the group, Find your kick starter. Kids will see the activity of God in themselves when they start doing what they are gifted to do. Giving youth pastors the tools they need to make and shape disciples. Are they 10%ers? In this case, 95% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. Tell stories about students who are making progress and growing in their faith. He helped me to stop feeling sorry for myself. The food should speak for itself and make people want to come. 10 Ways to Revive a Dying Church | Sojourners I hope I die here but not because you kill me, but because I dont ever want to leave. Ten years ago, I couldnt imagine a church in worse condition than Foothill Church. Acts 4:31 gives a micro recipe for revival. How Do You Pastor A Dying Church? | Ministry Answers I started with some stupid/arrogant assumptions. Are they all in? Add to Collection book Beyond the Screen: Youth Ministry for the Connected but Alone Generation We assume you're ok with this, but you can. Keep your supervisor fully informed about whats going on in the ministry. Jesus didnt call the masses to discipleship, he called whom he wanted one by one and two by two and that is where your youth ministrys come back begins. Ask Its tedious. But those precious few seeds that land on good soil will produce 30, 60 or even 100 times what was sown. Only the Holy Spirit can refresh, renew and revive his church. Yes, there are cycles, ups and downs and seasons, but there are some youth ministries that are just plain dying. In fact, Invite your friends! is one of three phrases I suggest youth pastors eliminate from their vocabulary. God only serves revival on clean plates. Before making any significant change, listen to peoples concerns and adjust your plans as necessary. As of 2020, a Gallup poll found that just 47% of Americans reported that they were members of a house of worship (the first time this number has dropped below 50% in the history of the eight-decade trend). Develop an organizational chart for the ministry. Its your job to make sure your youth ministry is a viable choice among those other choices. It should be standard operating practice for every believer. As you pursue holiness with your 10%ers remember it should be fueled by grace, not by guilt. Imagine a restaurant begging people to eat at it? Published by IVP Books, a division of InterVarsity Press, Downers Grove, Ill., www.ivpress.com. And it isnt for the faint of heart. We must get them going to their friends, family, classmates, teammates and co-workers with the good news. But its also systems, structures, programming, and facilities. The Revive Movement is a Christ-centered ministry in the historic Wesleyan theological tradition with the purpose of resourcing local church children, youth and adults by making disciples of Jesus Christ. It is also important to be sensitive to the needs of the congregation and to be willing to adapt your approach as needed. Talk about what you see happening, the progress that is being made. Dare 2 Share conferences do a great job of inspiring your teenagers and our free mobile app and other resources can help equip your teens to effectively evangelize. Still others will die due to lack of spiritual maturity. Editor's Note: The following is a report on the practical applications of Mark DeVries'new book,Sustainable Youth Ministry: Why Most Youth Ministry Doesn't Last and What Your Church Can Do About It, (IVP Books, 2008). Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Ministry Minded is three months of being equipped, trained and inspired, in community, to build a sustainable youth ministry that makes disciples. Work to stay emotionally healthy yourself and help others who work with you in the youth ministry to do the same. 9 Dynamic Ways To Revive A Dying Youth Ministry Use the prayer-soaked word of God to keep Christ before the dying, to help them fight the fight of faith, to keep believing that even this final, painful push will be rewarded by God's grace. Get acquainted with the music kids spend their time listening to. All Rights Reserved. But, focus is critical and a turnaround leader must have grit. rather than the entertainment value of your meeting. There were no visions promising, Arise Chris, go forth and lead ye the throngs!. March 7, 2023 by. Some people will leave. I think we can agree that the goal of starting spiritual disciplines in the first place is to And Get Your FREE Youth Ministry Diagnostic Sheet Today! Do something. The parable of the Sower reinforces this principle in a powerful way. If not, it might be time for a shake up. Do all you can to help them feel wanted, accepted, and connected in your youth group. Yes we want to get them growing but the best way to do that is to get them going. 1 Find a good meeting location. Last Updated: October 11, 2022 Or do you sprinkle it as fairy dust but then depend on the latest, greatest curriculum to produce real change? The Priorities, Challenges, and Trends in Youth Ministry Many are the plans in a persons heart, but it is the LORDs purpose that prevails (Prov. The answer is a resounding YES!. Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. Acts 4:31 gives a micro recipe for revival. Its prayer, fasting, preaching, teaching, shepherding. Well, yes and no. Here are 5 action steps you can take to unleash the force of revival in your youth ministry. In our newfound reason to unite, the instinct to separate falls away, social media is transformed from platforms that are destructive into opportunities for gospel witness, and we begin to love people well enough to tell them the good news of Jesus, even as our own fears are cast out (1 John 4:18). How do we do this? More tips and tricks can be found here. To create this article, 28 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. When you look around at your church, how many younger members do you see weekly? Restaurants do not beg, they show what they offer and why its worth you dropping by to try it. "Scanning what other churches are doing can be helpful, but it can also derail you from your calling. Hang in there. The courage to gain must be greater than the fear of losing. It was a real fixer-upper if you know what I mean. Wasnt this Jesus strategy? Articulate the basic tenets of the faith clearly . It should be standard operating practice for every believer. Learn the unspoken rules of church politics. Kids will always have choices. Raising A Dead Youth Ministry One By One - The Disciple Project I was always taught Summer Jump not Summer Slump. Instead of relying on just one star (your youth pastor) to shine Christs light into the lives of your students, develop a constellation of many stars (staff members and volunteers) willing to invest their time and energy into students lives. I've been there. 'The Chaos, the Anger, the Hatred, the Divisiveness'Kevin Sorbo Says 'The Time Is Right' for His New 'Left Behind' Movie Too often dead-eyed Christian teenagers whose hearts are filled with apathy instead of fire fill our youth ministry meetings. Change the vision. Looking for ways to get young adults involved in church? Too often, dead-eyed Christian teenagers whose hearts are filled with apathy instead of fire fill our meetings. Theyre looking to God, not a strategy or program, to light that fire. Recalibration. Instead, learn from the criticism and work with your critics to find creative solutions to problems. Ask the young people themselves, that is. Yes, I understand, you want the youth ministry to be be bigger, but berating your kids to do it will not get it done. Write down the ministrys needs to help you figure out how many volunteers youll need for the coming year. So, I am putting my notes, along with some extra commentary, for anyone who would like to use it with Apr 18, 2023 | New Resource, programming, small groups, Youth Worker Training. This is part four in my series 9 Dynamic Ways To Revive A Dying Youth Ministry. Base your decisions on biblical principles that remain the same no matter what your current circumstances. Who are the biggest fans of what what you have going on? It is possible to build a lasting youth ministry that has a powerful impact on the lives of many students if you lay down the right foundation first. If your group is not coming to you, go where they are. Once you have the volunteers, regularly communicate with them. Young people today have a very strong desire for "real" leadership and can see quickly through all of the fluff that pastors are trying to feed them. Your church wants to know that it will continue to exist next generation. Develop a pool of potential recruits including a name of a potential volunteer beside each open position and diligently make phone calls until you find the people you need. He led me to do some very practical things that yielded some very real results. Because of Jesus resurrection we are doing this event, Because of what Jesus said we are doing this. A large room, a park in good weather, or the beach in the summer are great places for teenagers to connect. To create this article, 28 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. A Powerful Prayer for Revival - Crosswalk.com If you need help revitalizing your youth ministry, check out my Ministry Minded coaching program. Take these 5 action steps to unleash the force of revival. Allow them to find their voice and worship God in their own musical languages and styles. God didnt change the church, but he did change me. Your attitudes will help other people remain positive. The only way to combat the attitude that your meeting is just one of many meetings is to establish the identity of your meeting. ! Here are 5 action steps you can take to unleash the force of revival in your youth ministry. 3. Start recruiting adults at least six months before a new year of youth group ministry. There are plenty of creative youth service ideas that religious leaders can use to help attract members of the younger generation to join and engage with the congregation. But down deep we want to zap their cold hearts into beating hard after God. But did you know you could be, indirectly, contributing to the decline of the youth ministry simply by the way you think about and speak about (and to) your youth ministry? Start taking prayer walks or shutting your door for 30 minutes a day or whatever you have to do to start making intercessory prayer a personal priority.