How to Lead a Successful Youth Ministry

Youth Ministries are often the pillar of any Christian church's continuity. If you can't set teenage hearts on fire with love of God, they may go on to lead less fulfilling lives (or worse, be tempted into sinful ways). This being a difficult time in most teenagers' lives, it is more important than ever to get a good youth ministry program started. See more information on how after the jump. It is important to raise youth that are absolutely sold out to God. Youth who are incredibly unstoppable in every aspect of life.

Steps

Download Article

Many churches already have a great hall for their youth group, but if not find some location where everyone will feel comfortable. A large room, a park in good weather, or the beach in the summer are great places for teenagers to connect.
Word of mouth works great, so encourage frequent members to talk to their friends about the youth group. Place an announcement in the church newsletter and Sunday bulletin. If the church has a website, add a link for youth ministry information. Don't forget Facebook and Twitter, as these are very popular with youth.
Advertisement
For a lot of these kids, the youth group will evolve into their greatest friends base, and that's a wonderful thing- if you can get it to happen. Play some get-to-know-you games, encourage group discussion and mingling. Get the teens out of their pre-set cliques. Make sure there are no teens left out or uncomfortable.
The youth know what the youth want. Often, it's best to pick 11th or 12th graders to form a "core" or "leadership" team to plan events and the like. At this age, they'll have developed maturity, planning skills, and hopefully a sincere love of God.
Youth love music, and if you can find the right kind of music, even the quiet type will open up eventually. Set a mood, and use song as prayer. Those who aren't willing to sing under most circumstances tend to find themselves singing with joy when the Holy Spirit acts through them.
Many youth groups are stagnant because the youth just don't care. Love of God is contagious, so let yours show for the benefit of those around you.
Away from the hustle of routine life, retreats can truly cause amazing spiritual conversions, and encourage youth to attend the regular meetings as well.
There is perhaps no more important thing to do for your youth ministry than this.

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question
Can organizing sports competitions help improve youth interest in God?
Oluyemi Sokunbi Emokpare
Community Answer
Yes. Every forum to gather people is an opportunity to showcase the goodness and love of God. 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.
Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If How.com.vn has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support How.com.vn
Yes No
Not Helpful 3 Helpful 27
Question
What are the most effective messages to preach in a youth service?
Community Answer
The Gospel. While this may seem like a overly simplified answer, the greatest mistakes that youth pastors tend to make is to try and make every message conform to what they think the youth want to hear. 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. Trust your young congregation with full and unabridged lessons from scripture and you will find that real leaders with real hunger for righteousness will come out of your congregation. When it comes to being effective and relatable, tie this real Biblical teaching to ways that they can apply it at home and in school.
Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If How.com.vn has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support How.com.vn
Yes No
Not Helpful 3 Helpful 51
Question
What do I need to do when the youths lack passion for the regular services?
Community Answer
Get them involve in the planning and execution. Choose a leader who has charisma from among them.
Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If How.com.vn has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support How.com.vn
Yes No
Not Helpful 8 Helpful 38

See more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Video

Tips

Don't be afraid to talk about God and religion, even if that's not what a lot of the teenagers really want to talk about. Take the issue head-on, pray, sing, set a mood where the teenagers will be prodded toward falling in love with God.
Thanks
Helpful8 Not Helpful0
Encourage the friend base to grow. Friends made at church are generally friends who will not lead you astray.
Thanks
Helpful9 Not Helpful1
Be accessible without being too indulging.
Thanks
Helpful8 Not Helpful1

Show More Tips

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Warnings

Have fun, but remember why you're there. Youth Groups are designed to bring God's teenagers closer to Him. Social time is excellent, and necessary, but don't overdo it to the point where the meetings may as well have taken place at the mall down the street.
Thanks
Helpful47 Not Helpful11