Home/Posts/Tag: Church Community
1 Jul 2024

You Will Always Be Their Youth Pastor

By |2024-07-01T05:51:34-07:00July 1st, 2024|Youth Ministry Ideas|6 Comments

I had a former student from my previous church reach out to me. That may not be the biggest deal, but the last time I was in a youth room with this student was about 15 years ago and four states away.

He thought of me because of how I ministered to him in his teenage years. I had impacted him, and because of that impact, he wanted to reach out to me when he needed some encouragement and direction.

No matter why you are no longer the youth pastor at your previous church, the students you ministered to will consider you their youth pastor. It doesn’t matter if you were promoted, fired, or moved across the country. There will be students who think back to their youth group days and think of YOU as their youth pastor.

So what can you do when those students reach back out to you?

Pray for Them

Usually, former students reach out because they need some spiritual direction. In this time of searching, remember to take some time to pray for them. This may seem secondhand to some, but for those of you who may no longer be at a church but instead work in a different field, it may not be as intuitive.

We talk about our students being missionaries at their school. We encourage them to pray for their friends, teachers, coaches, etc. We may forget this for ourselves when we’re no longer working at a church.

Remember that these students see you as their spiritual leader. Or, at the very least, remember you as such. Take this opportunity to lead them spiritually!

Be Their Cheerleader

Have you ever reached out to a friend or family member for help in a time of need? What did you need from them? Hope? Wisdom? Love? Encouragement?

Probably a little bit of all of those.

Take this opportunity to be your former student’s cheerleader!

They may have reached out to you during real pain, worry, anxiety, or fear. Encourage them in their time of need!

Remind them how much God loves them, that you love them, and that you are on their team.

Help Them Get Connected

The former student who reached out to me sought consistent spiritual guidance. Now, in the time of Zoom and FaceTime and all the ways we get connected, I could have offered them all of those things.

But I know what I need when I have been in those dark times.

I needed people.

Face to face, knee to knee, toe to toe people.

I hit up my buddy, who is still serving in that area. I told him I had been contacted by a student and asked if he’d be willing to meet. And I ask the student if he’d be willing to hang with a friend of mine.

Everybody was.

It’s a great idea to try to stay in contact with pastors and mentors in your previous church if you can. So that when a former student reaches out, you can connect them to people who can actually meet face-to-face.

And if you’re still in the area, arrange a coffee and hang out in person!

There’s something about face-to-face, in-person time together that can’t be beat.

Point Them to Jesus

You served this student as their spiritual leader for a time. That’s probably why they are reaching out to you specifically. When you were their spiritual leader, it was your job to point them to Jesus. It’s still the best thing you can do!

Whether they are far from God or just feeling that way, take some time to point them back to their Savior. Remind them how much Jesus loves them and encourage them with the good news of the Gospel.

Not platitudes or pithy sayings.

The real person of Christ.

Read Scripture over them. Remind them of what Jesus did in His day and what He’s doing right now.

That’s the best thing you can do as a spiritual guide and mentor!

Keep At It

I got a text yesterday from the pastor I had connected my former student to. They had made the decision to get baptized! I was so grateful for the church as I watched my former student get baptized by the pastor who replaced the pastor who replaced me.

We’re not in ministry to bring ourselves glory.

We’re in ministry to point others to Jesus.

And it was a beautiful moment to be a part of.

Remember: you’ll always be someone’s student pastor or youth minister.

When they reach out to you, point them to Jesus and be grateful for the time you have been given to minister to them!

20 May 2024

Launching Youth Ministry Seniors

By |2024-05-20T06:17:19-07:00May 20th, 2024|Leadership|8 Comments

May is a big season for youth ministries! Your seniors are graduating, and it can be a wild ride. These may be the students you’ve ministered to and spent time with over the last six or seven years. And you may be trying to figure out how to honor them and launch them into the next season.

And you’re also figuring out how to do that without making anyone upset or leaving anyone out!

What can you do?

Here are some ideas for honoring your seniors and even having them speak into the lives of the students who are coming behind them.

Have Seniors Speak at Youth Group

While not every senior can deliver a 30-minute message, you might be able to ask a senior to give the group following them some life advice. The high school pastor I worked with would do this regularly. He would schedule 3 to 4 seniors during a youth group program and have them offer advice to the next class. It was usually great to hear what the seniors would come up with and how they would take the lessons they learned in youth group and pass them down to the students following them.

Recognize Them on a Sunday Morning

On a particular Sunday morning, call up students who are graduating and have them stand on stage. It’s always a great moment to recognize them in front of the whole church! You can either hand them a microphone and have them go down the line saying their name, where they are from, and what their next season of life holds for them. Make sure you communicate in advance what this will be so that students and parents are prepared for it!

Get Them a Gift

Try to get students something to mark the occasion. Maybe it’s a Bible where their family and friends have highlighted verses to take them into the next season. Maybe it’s a devotional aimed at seniors so that they can enter this next season walking with God. Maybe it’s exclusive Youth Ministry swag that only graduates get. Whatever you do, think about how a student might look at this gift and remember their time in Youth Ministry fondly.

Set Them Up for What’s Next

Do your new seniors know how to look for a church? Do they know how to ask and get plugged into a new ministry? I know a youth pastor who would take his seniors to a couple of different churches during their summer after high school. He would have them learn everything they could about the new church on one visit and ask how to get plugged in. I love this idea because the youth pastor would go with them and help coach them through it! What a great idea to help students look for a new church since most of our seniors might be moving on to their next chapter in a new city and not know how to find a new community of believers!

How would you help launch seniors into the next season?

Want some help with having seniors tell their stories? Check out this resource!

20 Nov 2023

What to do when no one shows up for youth group?

By |2023-11-20T11:54:40-08:00November 20th, 2023|Leadership|5 Comments


I remember quite vividly the night it happened. We had planned for Youth Ministry to proceed as usual that Sunday evening. Even though it was a holiday and we expected our numbers to be low, we did our best to ensure there would be something for our students to do.

But nobody showed up.

It can definitely feel like the most defeating thing to experience in a new ministry. You make plans all week long, prepare a lesson, organize games, buy snacks, but what do you do when no students show up?

Check Your Communication: Did everyone know there was supposed to be a youth group? Did you ensure that both parents and students were informed? If there are any official communication channels in your church, such as the website or the bulletin, did all that information go out? We should communicate a lot. I know the most frustrated I’ve ever been as a parent is receiving a half sheet of paper from the school about an event in three days that I had no prior knowledge of.

Let’s be better about that in our communication!

Look at Church Patterns Outside of Youth Group: In my church, there are men’s and women’s Bible studies that meet at the same time as our youth group. We all coordinate when we are going to meet and when we are going to take a break. Every year on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, we don’t have any midweek Bible study. The main reason for this is because so many people weren’t coming. It was almost a wasteland at church. So instead of making a lot of people feel guilty about not coming to Wednesday night Bible study, we decided it would be better as a church if we didn’t meet.

If you don’t have any students showing up, is it because there are also no adults or kids who would naturally be coming during this time as well?

Pray: Either spend some time praying right then and there with your volunteers or try to get a few parents together to pray for your students sometime in the near future. It’s also a good moment to check your own heart and pray, asking God to show you what you need to learn from this.

Meet with Your Leadership: Definitely not a fun meeting to request, but it’s better to be proactive about letting your leadership or senior pastor know that you didn’t have any students show up. Maybe they know something going on that you aren’t aware of. Maybe they can offer you some tips or ideas. They might even be able to recommend whom to meet with to figure out what to do next. Be open during this meeting. It probably won’t be enjoyable, but it might be a productive time where you try to solve some real problems.

Watch for Opportunities: He walked in about 10 minutes late. The other adult volunteer who had shown up that night and I looked at each other and shrugged. He was new, but he was there. So we went on with the lesson and had youth group. Josh accepted Christ that night. He became a leader in our youth group, led worship, and became someone I could depend on for the next several years.

Sometimes God throws you a curveball. He takes what you thought might be a loss and turns it into a God story. Be faithful. Keep reaching out to students. Watch for what God is doing. You’ve got this. More importantly, God’s got you.

2 Oct 2023

4 Tips for Working with a Church Staff

By |2023-10-02T03:33:00-07:00October 2nd, 2023|Uncategorized|10 Comments

October is Pastor Appreciation Month! This may mean your church celebrates you, or it might mean that the senior pastor is celebrated while you’re not. Either way, we’re so glad you’re a part of the Download Youth Ministry community. We recognize that you probably work with staff almost daily, whether it’s just you and the senior pastor or you and a whole team of pastors striving to reach the lost and equip the saints. Regardless, you still need to relate to these people!

Here are four tips for thriving on staff with other pastors:

  1. Avoid Gossip

    Do your best not to speak ill of anyone on staff to other pastors or, even worse, to someone in your congregation, even if it’s true. We constantly encourage our students to avoid gossip, and this principle applies to us when interacting with our co-workers. If you have an issue with someone on staff, do the right thing and talk to them directly about it. Even if it creates discomfort or awkwardness, you’ll know you did the right thing and avoided office gossip.

  2. Offer Encouragement

    If you notice a staff member doing something great, ensure they know it! Give compliments freely and encourage your fellow staff members when you see them doing something exceptional, especially tasks that others in your congregation might not recognize as unique. For example, if your associate pastor did an excellent job with announcements on Sunday, acknowledge it. As a children’s pastor, if someone delivers an inspiring staff devotion, follow up and express how much they bless you. Encouragement can be the driving force that keeps someone going when they’re ministering from an empty cup!

  3. Lend a Helping Hand

    Whenever someone on the staff needs assistance with a task, and you can help, be as supportive as possible. For instance, if the children’s ministry needs pool noodles and you have some leftovers from last summer, offer them up. Yes, I understand they didn’t come from their budget line item, but you’re all on the same team, right? If a pastor asks you to visit someone in the hospital whom you don’t have a relationship with, go ahead and make the visit. You might be doing your pastor a significant favor. Be known as a staff member willing to lend a helping hand whenever possible.

  4. Be Reliable

    Submit your work on time. When you commit to attending an event, ensure you show up. If you’ve promised the older members that the Youth Ministry will help with a big sale, put in the effort required to be there. Youth Pastors can sometimes get a bad reputation for being chaotic and juvenile. Wouldn’t it be better if we were known as the responsible and dependable people on staff? Keep your promises and appointments. Strive to be the most reliable person on staff, showing up and delivering on time.

October can be challenging, especially if others get recognized, and you feel left out. Don’t worry about it. We don’t do this for the paycheck or the recognition anyway. Be the best coworker you can be this month. I promise it will benefit you later!

Want to be the type of encouragement you want to see? Start with your own leaders! Use these thank-you cards to encourage your volunteers and keep them around!

18 Sep 2023

7 Reasons to Let Students Lead

By |2023-09-18T08:08:02-07:00September 18th, 2023|Leadership|11 Comments

You’ve got adult volunteers. That’s awesome! Train them, and you’ll see great growth in your student ministry! But what about your students? Should they be given extra responsibility and ways to lead and grow? Of course! Here are seven reasons why letting students lead and encouraging them to do so will benefit them and the student ministry as a whole!

  1. Ownership of Faith:When students actively participate in the youth ministry by serving in various capacities, they develop a sense of ownership over their faith. It transforms their faith from something their parents or guardians believe into something they can call their own. By being involved in planning events, leading discussions, or volunteering in leadership, they start to see how their faith is relevant and meaningful in their lives.
  2. Leadership Development:Serving in youth ministry provides an excellent opportunity for leadership development. As students take on responsibilities, they learn valuable communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. These skills are essential for their roles within the ministry and future endeavors, both in their careers and as responsible adults.
  3. Spiritual Growth:Engaging in service within the youth ministry often leads to significant spiritual growth. Students can deepen their understanding of their faith as they study and share it with their peers. They are more likely to ask questions, seek answers, and seek a deeper connection with their spiritual beliefs. This active engagement can help them form a stronger, more resilient faith that can withstand the challenges of adulthood.
  4. Mentorship Opportunities:When students serve in youth ministry, they often work alongside dedicated adult leaders who can serve as mentors. These mentors provide guidance, support, and encouragement, helping students navigate the complexities of adolescence and faith. These relationships can be instrumental in shaping their character and faith journey.
  5. Building Community:Service in youth ministry fosters a strong sense of community among young people. They bond with their peers as they work together on projects and events. These connections can be particularly meaningful, as they share a common faith and purpose. It provides a safe and supportive environment where they can explore their spirituality and share their struggles and triumphs.
  6. Empowerment:Giving students responsibilities within the youth ministry empowers them to make a difference. It sends a powerful message that their opinions and contributions matter. This empowerment boosts their self-esteem and encourages them to take an active role in their faith community and, later on, in society.
  7. Passing on the Torch:When students serve in youth ministry, they become the role models for the younger generation. They set an example of what it means to live out one’s faith. This torch passing ensures the youth ministry’s continuity and growth, as younger students are inspired to follow in their footsteps.

Conclusion

Having students serve in their youth ministry is a win-win situation. It benefits both the students themselves and the broader faith community. It empowers students to take ownership of their faith, develop leadership skills, experience spiritual growth, and build a strong sense of community. It also ensures the future vitality of the youth ministry by creating a cycle of mentorship and inspiration.

Encouraging and supporting students in their service roles within youth ministry is an investment in the next generation of leaders and faithful individuals. It acknowledges that students have a valuable role in the church’s life and that their contributions are essential for its continued growth and relevance in an ever-changing world.

Need some help getting your students leading? We’ve got the tools for you!

11 Sep 2023

Winning Youth Ministry: Training Volunteers

By |2023-09-11T14:32:47-07:00September 11th, 2023|Youth Ministry Hacks|3 Comments

Volunteers are the unsung heroes who invest their time and hearts into shaping the spiritual growth of the next generation. In the world of youth ministry, nothing is as crucial as ensuring your volunteers are well-trained and fully equipped for the incredible task they’ve taken on. Let’s dive into the significance of training volunteers, how it benefits them, strengthens your ministry, and impacts your church.

Empowering Your Volunteers

Let’s start with the heart of it all: your volunteers. These are the individuals who selflessly give their time and passion to nurture the faith of the youth in your church. So, why is training them so important?

Through training, your volunteers acquire the necessary skills to engage with and make a meaningful impact on the lives of young people. This includes honing their communication skills, mastering conflict resolution, and becoming experts in lesson planning. Training often includes personal spiritual development, which allows your volunteers to deepen their own faith as they guide others on their spiritual journeys. When volunteers receive thorough training, they gain the confidence they need to tackle the challenges that come their way. A confident volunteer is an enthusiastic and dedicated one.

Strengthening Your Ministry

Having a standardized training program ensures that all your volunteers are on the same page, delivering a consistent message and experience to the youth in your ministry. Proper training encourages your volunteers to bring fresh ideas and innovative approaches to your ministry, fostering creativity and adaptability. Volunteers who know their roles and responsibilities well are more efficient in planning and executing activities, ultimately lightening the load on youth pastors.

Impacting Your Church

The positive effects of volunteer training don’t stop at your youth ministry’s doorstep—they have a wider impact on your church community. A vibrant and well-organized youth ministry can attract more families to your church, contributing to overall church growth. Volunteers who feel valued, equipped, and confident are more likely to stay committed to your church for the long term. A thriving youth ministry has the potential to engage the broader community and draw new members to your church family.

Hey! This is a great time to talk about training your volunteers!

Sign up for National Day of Volunteer Youth Ministry Training. This event is about to become your secret weapon for supercharging your volunteer training efforts and setting your youth ministry up for unprecedented success.

  • Date: September 23, 2023
  • Cost: Just $199 for your entire volunteer team
  • Location: Take your pick between hosting it at your church or attending one of our 300+ locations

Here’s the best part: the cost is per group, not per person. This means you can bring as many youth ministry volunteers as you can gather, making it the best deal in youth ministry.

On this special day, your volunteers will receive youth ministry-specific training from renowned speakers like Christine Caine, Albert Tate, Doug Fields, and more. It’s going to be a fun, helpful, and momentum-building experience that will leave your volunteers inspired and ready to make a profound impact on the lives of the youth in your community.

Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to invest in your volunteers and, in turn, elevate your youth ministry and church. Mark your calendar for September 23, 2023, and get ready to equip your team for an amazing ministry year.

In conclusion, remember that your volunteers are the backbone of your youth ministry. By giving them the tools they need to succeed, you’re not only investing in their personal growth but also in the future of your ministry and church. So, gear up for the National Day of Volunteer Youth Ministry Training, and watch your volunteers soar to new heights.

Need something to start training your volunteers right now? Check these awesome resources out from DYM!

28 Aug 2023

4 Hacks to Communicate Better!

By |2023-08-28T09:20:48-07:00August 28th, 2023|Youth Ministry Hacks|6 Comments

Hey there, fellow youth ministry adventurers!

Picture this: You’re embarking on an exciting journey through uncharted territory. You have a map that guides you, but imagine if you were the only one with that map. You’d be navigating the twists and turns alone, right? Well, that’s where the power of communication comes in!
Don’t just hold your map close to your chest. Let others see the path and everything on it so you can get there together!

Connecting with Parents:
Parents are like your trusty co-pilots on this journey. They’re just as invested in the growth and well-being of their students as you are. When you communicate your youth ministry plans, goals, and activities with parents, you’re not just informing them – you’re inviting them to be active participants in their student’s spiritual journey. Imagine the impact when parents know what their students are learning, where they’re going, and how they can support the process.
Think of how you can regularly communicate to parents! Is it a weekly email? A blog? Social media groups? Whatever you plan to do, make it consistent and let parents know how you primarily communicate with them!

Guiding Your Leaders:
Your youth ministry leaders are the compass that helps steer the ship. When you communicate your plans and goals clearly with them, you’re aligning everyone’s efforts toward a common purpose. They can better prepare, engage, and lead when they have a clear understanding of the destination and the path you’re taking to get there.
If your group is small enough, a text thread might serve as the best way to communicate with leaders. If it’s a little larger, think of using email. Same with parents: be consistent!

Engaging Your Students:
Your youth ministry participants are the explorers on this journey. When you communicate what’s in store for them – from upcoming events to the heart behind the teachings – you’re fueling their excitement and curiosity. Clarity breeds enthusiasm, and when students are excited, they’re more likely to actively engage and participate.
You can do this from the stage just as easily as social media. Just make sure when you communicate to students, you’re telling leaders and parents the same information at the same time!

Involving the Whole Church:
Your church is the ultimate support system on this journey. When you communicate your youth ministry plans and activities with the larger congregation, you’re inviting everyone to rally behind the youth. Whether it’s through prayer, encouragement, or even participation, involving the whole church community strengthens the bonds within your church family.
Your church may have a weekly bulletin, or a website, or just lots of posters everywhere. However your church communicates, make sure you’re on the same page and giving them all of the information that they need!

Navigating the Adventure Together:
In a youth ministry, effective communication isn’t just a tool – it’s a lifeline. It’s the bridge that connects parents, leaders, students, and the church community. It transforms your journey from a solo expedition into a shared adventure, full of camaraderie, support, and growth.

So, fellow adventurers, let’s remember the power of communication as we navigate the uncharted territories of youth ministry. Share your plans, goals, and activities with everyone onboard. Let’s journey together, united by a common purpose, and create a lasting impact that echoes through the years.

Stay tuned for more insights and guidance on this incredible journey we’re all on. 🌟

Need some help letting everyone know the game plan? Grab this fully editable calendar from DYM and look like a pro!

Go to Top