by Chase | How To, Kid Min
We all experience it at some point – “that” kid who wants nothing more than to destroy your soul during the kid’s activities. Paul had a thorn in his flesh. You have this kid.
It is hard to figure out how your team can minister to a kid who is consistently a trouble maker. Not to say this kid is a bad kid, but he is the one who is the spark plug to the group’s behavior problems.
Here is an unpopular truth I have learned over the years:
You might have to pick between having kids who behave or kids who learn about Jesus.
With that said, here are 5 ways we can help make sure our kids are put in a position to listen better, participate, and stay engaged with the lesson.
1. Be Prayerful
This is the most important preparation we do as leaders. An athlete doesn’t show up to a game dehydrated. Leaders must be praying for their personal spiritual state and those in their class.
2. Be Prepared
Nothing will spark the crazy-factor in kids faster than lag time. Make sure you have a plan and are prepared to execute the plan when the kids arrive.
3. Be Proactive
Sitting with the kids, participating in the games/songs, and asking them how their week heads off many problems long before they start.
4. Involve the Parents
Inevitably, we will have a kid who is being disruptive. When that happens we will involve the parent. Empty threats do not work (nor convey the love of Jesus) but a sweet conversation with a parent typically motivates a child more so than we can.
5. Involve More People
Many times our leaders are simply outnumbered. For on-campus activities, our goal is to maintain a 1-6 ratio (leaders to kids) and off-campus we would like to have a 1-4 ratio.
Hope this helps!
by Chase | How To, Student Min
Trying something new pushes you outside of your comfort zone. Some experiences are great (riding a roller coaster). While others are miserable (riding a roller coaster after eating Taco Bell).
For youth leaders, we often forget that visiting a church is a huge deal for a middle or high school student. While many of us have welcome centers, visitor card, and free t-shirts for new students, the culture of our ministries can overlook the simple ways a student needs to feel connected.
Here are two essential experiences that every visiting student needs:
1. Students Want to Be Noticed
Nothing says, “You don’t matter to us or Jesus” better than when a student is not spoken to within the first five minutes of their arrival. They want to be noticed by the adults and other students. They want to share their name, their grade in school, and their hobbies. Both introverts and extroverts desire to be seen and spoken to. This goes beyond a non-personal greeting time during the service (many of us are in a unannounced competition to see how many hands you can shake…) to creating a hospitable culture where students are noticed.
What systems do you have in place to ensure your adult leaders and students are engaging first time visitors?
2. Students Want to Be Known
How many times have you walked up to a student, who you are positive is a visitor, and found out that you have met him before and have forgotten your entire encounter with this person?
Nothing says, “You aren’t important to us or Jesus” quite like forgetting who the student is. After you meet a student and learn her name and school, it is imperative that you remember that information for the next time you see her.
Greeting a first-time student isn’t enough — we must remember his name when he is a second-time visitor.
I know this is near impossible when you have a large amount of visitors, but your leadership team must find several ways to ensure students are known when they attend your group for a second time.
by Chase | How To, Leadership
Are you experiencing resistance as you implement new lighting effects, instruments, and smoke machines?
Here is a list of bible verses to will equip you for make a biblical argument for contemporary worship styles!
If your congregation and senior pastor can overlook your lack of biblical hermeneutics and the simple fact that each of these verses have been taken completely out of their intended context, you may be able to bring your worship service into the 2010s!
Smoke Machines and Loud Singing
Isaiah 6:4
At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.
Preaching From Tablets
Habakkuk 2:2
Then the Lord replied: “Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it.”
Exciting Music
Psalm 98:4
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music;
Lighting Effects
Ezekiel 1:4
As I looked, behold, a storm wind was coming from the north, a great cloud with fire flashing forth continually and a bright light around it, and in its midst something like glowing metal in the midst of the fire.
Using Bass, Electric and Acoustic Guitars
Isaiah 38:20
The Lord will save me, and we will sing with stringed instruments all the days of our lives in the temple of the Lord.
Untrimmed Beards
Leviticus 19:27
Do not cut the hair at the sides of your head or clip off the edges of your beard.
Wearing Sandals and a T-shirt
Mark 6:9
Wear sandals but not an extra shirt.
As long as your congregation can overlook your lack of biblical knowledge, you should be set!
If not, either you will soon be enrolling in seminary courses or looking for another ministry. Either way, have your resume ready!
Do you have any other passages you would add to the list?
