Simple Youth Activities Vs.Big Youth Events

There is a lot of debate out there as to whether Big Youth Events are more successful than Simple Youth Activities. While Big Events do get large numbers of students to be involved and are great jumping off places for youth ministry, simple youth activities are where the meat and bones of transformational ministry occurs with young people. 

When I was a youth, I grew up with Big Youth Events. They seem to be the norm. They were exciting, flashy and always got a crowd. Whenever I heard about these events in my area, I flocked to them. They were filled with lots of exciting activities like dances, concerts and legendary speakers. But what I discovered was that after the big event I would go home to my local church youth group and not know how to apply what I had experienced, so that I could capture the same feelings I had at the big event.

When I started leading youth ministry in the local church I found it challenging to get students who wanted to attend these big events. They were more interested in staying local and doing things in and around the community they were growing up in. This was especially true for small town and rural churches that I served. The big event just seemed to be “too big.” There are still a lot of great opportunities to have students get involved in large youth event gatherings both regionally and nationally. And I'm sure they have their place in a general youth ministry.

But as we are discovering more and more, putting on these large youth gatherings is becoming more and more expensive and they are becoming less and less productive at doing what the job of the local church is to do, which is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. If I had to choose between doing a big youth event or doing a simple ministry in your immediate community, I would probably choose the latter. Regardless of what kinds of programs you should offer for young people, be sure that they involve making direct connection with young people and stick to the focus of what the mission of the local church is all about.

Resource Review : The Leadership Lab

It is often this very hard to find a well done leadership program for young people. In the past, I have had to piecemeal together various parts from several different sources. However, recently the United Methodist church’s General Board of Discipleship’s Division of Ministry with Young People have come out with a leadership development resource for senior high youth entitled "The Leadership Lab”. This new program has been tried and tested over a two-year period and has proven to be an excellent program to help develop young people into leaders.

At the heart of this program it approaches leadership from a holistic perspective keeping a balance between improving leadership feels and helping young people grow in their relationship with others and with God. There are seven different modules that include exploring the principles of transformational leadership, discovering vital leadership skills and knowledge about oneself and how that relates to relationships, and practical active learning that will put what you learn into action.

Resources included are the following : (1) facilitators guide, (2) participants handbook, (3) PowerPoint presentations, and (4) handouts. All of these resources are on a CD-ROM that allows you to print as many copies as you need. I would highly recommend that you check this resource out to help develop student leaders in whatever setting you find yourself.

Imagining the Best of Yourself

When I was young, I was severely bullied and picked on as a young person. It deeply affected me in ways that I just now understand. When I see young people being bullied or thinking less of themselves for whatever reason, there is a part of me that hurts inside. As I grew up and went into ministry, I vowed that if I ever got the opportunity to work with young people that I would do my best to put a stop the ridicule and the bullying and look for ways to let those awkward young people know they were unique and special children of God.

Recently, on the show "America's Got Talent" a song was featured by Kirk Franklin entitled “Imagine Me.” While I had never heard this song before it was amazing! Kirk Franklin, a contemporary Christian gospel artist, writes in this song about how we should view ourselves, pulling from his own personal experience of self-doubt, abuse and neglect. As I listen to over and over to this song, I have imagined all of the young people who experienced themselves as "less than." Below is a Youtube link to the song. I highly recommend you use it in your young People's ministry to highlight the fact that regardless of how we might feel about ourselves, God sees us at someone unique and special that God created and loves.

Prayer Wall

Here’s a great idea to help decorate your youth or young adult space/classroom and bring an emphasis to the power of prayer in our lives as Christians. Make a prayer wall.

Use one wall or part of a wall in your room or space. Get some butcher paper and attach it to the wall and decorate the center with scriptures or graphics having to do with prayer.  Throughout the year, have your youth or young adults write up prayers or celebrations. Others can write encouraging comments alongside the prayers. Whenever you meet, encourage people to take a look at the prayers on the wall and to incorporate them into their daily prayer life. You can keep the prayer wall up for multiple years or put a new one up each year.

My Broken Palace: a Cool Web Resource

I just discovered a great web resource that I wanted to let you know about. The website is mybrokenplace.com. Its purpose as stated on its website is as follows:

My Broken Palace is a non-profit organization of passionate people who want to help others in their time of brokenness. Our shared desire is that no one should ever have to deal with the crushing weight of loneliness, depression, anxiety, stress, abuse, addictions, or thoughts of suicide alone.  Become part of the movement.  Whether you are the one in need or someone who desires to encourage others in theirs, My Broken Palace embraces your participation.

“no one lonely, alone”

What is so exciting about this website is that you can leave prayers on their virtual prayer wall and you will receive uplifting text and e-mails based on the prayers that you leave. It has a list of places that you can go to get help on a variety topics from suicide, abuse, depression, etc. For those who are artistically inclined, It includes an art wall where you can upload your art work and look at others artwork that has brought you inspiration.

This is a must visit website for youth workers and students who are struggling with the messy stuff of life. I hope you'll check it out!