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That YOU have some very good lessons, flyers, games, and youth events that you have created. Why not be a good UthLeader and UPLOAD them so we can all use them in our minstry!

The Seasons of Youth Ministry. (Part I)

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven…” Ecclesiastes 3:1

The Seasons of Youth Ministry (Part I)
By Pete Folger

As a young person growing up in Cleveland, Ohio one of the things that I could always count on was the changing of seasons. As a young person, I so enjoyed the fall and winter seasons. Now that I’m a little older I have a greater appreciation for any season which does not include snow. Although in northeast Ohio the only season where we are guaranteed no snow is summer.

Just as there are seasons of weather and climate, there are also seasons of life. Childhood is often referred to as springtime because of the growth that is taking place. Young adults are often considered to be in the summer season. It is the season where they are able to accomplish the most. They are in their prime. Those who have reached middle age could be considered in the autumn of life. Just as the leaves change into beautiful assortments of colors so their lives reach a beautiful state as well. Kids are reared and grown. New opportunities exist. They are free to do more than at any other time. But just as the leaves reach a gorgeous color, they begin the process of falling. With winter comes death or a stage of dormancy. The sun sets early, it’s cold and very few spend much time outside unless they have to.

While thinking on this subject I was reminded what my youth pastor shared with me shortly after I ventured into the youth ministry. Just as there are seasons in weather, and seasons in life, there are also seasons in youth ministry. As I have served in this capacity for over seven years I have come to realize that his words of advice were so true. I believe that God wants us to know that no matter what season we may find our youth to be in, that there is always another coming. These words bring great hope and comfort when in a difficult season. But they also ought to bring great warning to those who find themselves in an easy season of youth work.

The more I’m with teens there are three distinct seasons that I have come to be familiar with. There may be others, but these seasons have been distinct in our ministry.

The Season of Indifference.
The Season of Rebellion.
The Season of Revival.

With each class that comes into the youth group you will find them fitting into one of these three categories. Typically they will all be the same. You may have a class that is rebellious. In that class there may be a few teens on fire for the Lord, but usually they are in the minority. I believe that there are some things that we need to consider as we deal with the seasons of youth ministry.

Pete Folger is the Assistant Pastor at Cleveland Baptist Church.

[ Read the rest... ]

Posted by uthleader on Saturday 29 March 2008 - 00:02:13 | Read/Post Comment: 0 |

"Blow Up Your Youth Ministry," part 3

BLOW UP YOUR TEEN DEPARTMENT
The Five Fundamentals of “Teen Explosion”

Part 3- People Helping

     One thing that has to be remembered in ministry is: YOU CANNOT DO IT ON YOUR OWN! You need help (and sometimes lots of it!). Get some helpers to aid in the different areas of teen explosion. So, how many people need to help? Ask yourself a few questions first. First, how many areas of teen explosion need workers? (food, games, songs, prayer, altar workers, etc.) Second, how many workers need to help in each area? Third, how many teens will be at teen explosion? Figure on having one adult per every 10 teens to help with crowd control. When you have an idea of how many you may need, begin recruiting!

     Adults are necessary, but not all adults can help in any area. Any personality type can help with Teen Explosion. There are people who can help with food, games, songs, etc. However, when it comes to direct contact with teens, be careful what kind of person you allow to help. When recruiting those who will directly work with the teens:

1.     Pray for God to show you who would be a good helper.

2.     Do not announce from the pulpit for these helpers. You can announce that you need help with the food, games, etc. But do NOT announce from the pulpit for those that will work directly with the teens. Why? Because you will have someone meet you after the service that you know would NOT do well with teens. So, how can you tell them “no” if you announced it from the pulpit?

3.     Seek out people you know have a heart for teens and know how to handle teens maturely. Get parents to help- they have teenagers and know how to deal with them. They have the experience already!

     Teens are necessary in helping as well.If there’s anyone who can reach teenagers better than you, it’s other teenagers. Your teens are vital when it comes to reaching other teens. So, how do you use them in Teen Explosion?

1.     Let them be seen serving.Have them open in prayer.Have them serving food.Have them perform or lead music.Have them do skits.When your teens are visibly serving it shows that there is something special about your youth group. It helps draw and attract teens.

2.     Get them to mingle.One thing that teens often struggle with is meeting someone new. Many youth ministries struggle with it- a visitor shows up and no one says hello to them, etc. However, during Teen Explosion it is imperative that your teens meet and greet visitors. It should be more than just “Hi. How are you?” It should be that they learn the visitor’s names, find out what school they go to, do they have any interests or friends in common, etc. If you have TE for 5 days or nights, your teens can become familiar faces to visitors and also end up befriending them. They’ll be able to call the visitor by name, ask them to sit with them, invite them to the next teen activity, etc.

     Are there some teens that shouldn’t help? Helping in the ministry is a privilege, not a right. Be careful of what teens you let help. Almost every youth group has the guy or girl who doesn’t want to do anything. If you give them a responsibility, will they do it? Probably not. Also, watch out for putting teens in mixed groups alone. If they are in mixed groups, make sure that an adult is present. There are those teens that look for every opportunity to be alone with someone of the opposite sex. Overall, use your best judgment on who helps and what they do.

     * Note: Have background checks run on all adult helpers. This will protect your ministry from pedophiles and criminals. If you have someone who is saved, wants to help, but has a history of being a sexual offender do NOT let them help. If a visiting teen makes an accusation against him/her, their lost parents won’t realize that this person is saved, changed and different. They will be able to sue your church and win. Keep your ministry “blameless”.

Submitted by BBTUth

BLOW UP YOUR TEEN DEPARTMENT part 3

Posted by BBTUth on Wednesday 23 January 2008 - 13:20:34 | Read/Post Comment: 0 |

Independent Fundamental Baptists and Technology

So, if technology is such a great thing for our everyday lives, can it be incorporated into our churches as well? I think that you’d be surprised (Or would you?) at the varying opinions you’ll get on this subject. Some are more than willing to integrate technology into any aspect of their ministry. PowerPoint, the Internet, projection screens, websites, etc.- they incorporate these tools into their ministries in many areas. However, there are some who consider these things too “modern” to have any place in the church.

Brother Chad Hayes has written an article about the question of using technology in the church. In an age where churches are filled with padded pews, electric lighting, air-conditioning, and all the wonders of modern (circa 1960) technology, should this be a concern in our churches?

Read the rest of the article over here.

Discuss this article here.

Biography: Chad Hayes Chad is 30 years old and has been in youth ministry for 8 years- first in Florida and now in Ohio. He is a graduate of Tennessee Temple University in Chattanooga, TN. He is the son of an Independent Baptist pastor who himself spent almost 15 years in youth ministry. In fact, his father was his youth pastor all through Jr. High and High School! Chad has a desire to, first and foremost, reach teenagers for the Lord. He also has a desire to firmly ground them in the basics of what the Bible teaches during their time under his youth ministry. In his spare time, Chad enjoys singing, playing the piano, doing stuff on his computer, and watching sports on TV. He and his wife, Jenni, have been married for almost 9 years.*information correct at time of publishing*

Posted by uthleader on Tuesday 16 October 2007 - 11:17:01 | Read/Post Comment: 2 |