Summer in youth ministry is an incredible time to see God work through relational ministry. A student’s flexible summer schedule lends its self to impromptu hangouts, deep conversations, and opportunities to develop spiritual disciplines.
Summer is a pivotal time where transformation can happen in student’s lives. If you want an awesome fall semester you need to invest relationally during the summer months.
I know what you are thinking; your summer is already too busy. While summer is supposed to be a vacation, we all know that the summer can be busier than other seasons! Youth pastors are traveling to and from camps, leading mission trips, helping out with church-wide events, and planning for an incredible fall schedule. Yes there are a ton of events, camps, and holidays, but don’t overlook the flexible opportunities you have to minister.Â
You need to maximize your time this summer to make sure your team is building a relational foundation that will catapult you into the fall.
Here are six tips to keep in mind as you enter the summer rush.
- Organize Your Calendar For Relational Ministry
Your students will be bored out of their minds by July. Plan to add in some time getting coffee with leaders and grab a burger with a few students. Utilize your flexible schedule and meet up with parents and students throughout your day.
- Don’t Provide Childcare
The summer is a great time to spend time with your students, but it is not your job to provide childcare. You still have a job to do so don’t feel the pressure to over program your summer schedule. If you are exhausted heading into September you will likely stay tired until Christmas.
- Provide Opportunities For Your Students To Serve
Summer is an awesome time to get students serving. Try to get them plugged into the things already happening around the church (vacation bible school, men’s and women’s events, kids ministry, etc.) that way you are not adding additional events and projects to your calendar. Serving as a small group is the best option because you can utilize smaller groups to serve when it is convenient for them.
- Offer Creative Bible Studies
This is the perfect time of year for you to add a short bible study with your students. This can be a small group of 8-10 students, or a focused group of 2-3. I’m aiming to start a high school guys bible study group in the mornings where we work out to P90x then study God’s Word. Students love these opportunities.
- Reduce Your Student Worship To Small Groups
Our band is lead by college students who head back to their hometowns during the summer. Instead of stressing about the lack of worship leaders we decided to set up round tables and walk through a couple video-based small group lessons in a large group setting. This helps when I have to miss for events I can hand the prepared material to another volunteer to lead.
- Invite Students Or Leaders Over For A Cookout
If you are able, invite some students to come hang out and eat some hamburgers. You can invite a specific bible study group or have a leader’s cookout. Encourage your small group leaders to host a cookout for their bible study group. Back them with the student ministry budget to take some financial stress off of them cooking for 15-20 students.
Summer is the perfect time to build relationships with students, parents, and leaders.
What are you doing this summer to build community in your student ministry?
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