////Jeanne' Blog - Creating Family
The Youth Ministry That Your Students Really Need
Remember watching re-runs of The Bill Cosby Show or Happy Days? It's a great exercise for youth leaders in our era. Why?
The Key To Building Family Fun
While services are obviously a huge part of a successful youth ministry, I think it's invaluable for you to take your youth gang outside of the four walls of the church. The truth is that the youth group or life group that PRAYS together and PLAYS together, STAYS together!
Creating Family
Creating a sense of family can be a real challenge if you are called to a church that has had numerous youth pastors over the last several years. I had this very real challenge when I began my ministry in Rockford, IL and then again when we moved to Atlanta.
Coach or Companion?
When creating a sense of family, it doesn't mean that you have to lose your leadership role in the lives of your students. I often tell my leaders that you have to be more of a coach than a companion, but that doesn't mean that there cannot be friendship there.
"No One Wants A Real Relationship Anymore"
If you've been around me much, you've probably heard me say one of my favorite quotes on friendship, "Show me your friends...and I'll show you your future." But not too long ago, I heard the haunting line from one student, "I'd like to know where these friends are? No one wants a real relationship anymore."
Family Fun
The holiday season is the perfect time to have "Family fun" with your kids and your leaders. In our events, such as trampoline jumping in our living room and turkey basketball games, we made sure they became traditions not just spur of the moment ideas. This youth culture sees lots of youth groups, but rarely do they experience what they most crave...
The Heart Of The Matter
Instilling heart into your leaders for your kids is one of the most important things you can do. Each year around 100 Atlanta Leadership students come to us from all different parts of the country and different backgrounds. One of the first things I try to instill in them is heart. How?
Youth Ministry Growth Strategies
The core growth strategy for my youth groups over the years has been creating a youth church environment of AUTHENTIC FRIENDSHIP AND LOVE. Though your preaching, worship, and evangelism all play a big part in youth ministry growth...your strongest "drawing card" to this lonely young adult culture will remain a RELATIONAL ONE.
Creating A Family Feeling
Once upon a time, a well-meaning Sunday school leader declared to the teenagers that showed up Sunday morning after Sunday morning, “You guys are going to like each other or else we’re going to die trying to make you…” The truth is many of us have felt like we’ve already died trying. Creating a family feeling in our youth groups is easier said than done.