Not everyone is cut out to work with pre-teens and teenagers. A lot of people think that you have to be young yourself to survive working with them. The fact is that a lot of retirees love working with this age group and make great leaders of the kinds of youth ministries San Antonio TX churches want to be able to offer their members. Most of these leaders adhere to some simple rules.
If you are leading a group, you have to make it fun. If it isn't, you will quickly lose your crowd. You can make up silly games, have sleep ins, and recruit rock bands for parties. On the surface, they might not seem to have much to do with ministry, but every activity has to have a purpose behind it. You might be encouraging shy kids to participate or forcing everybody to work together. Whatever it is, there must be a gospel message at the foundation.
There are always going to be kids who stand off from the group. These might be teens with parents who forced them into the ministry program or a kid with a crush on a peer who actively attends. Ignoring them is not a solution, and your skin has to be thick enough to withstand repeated rejection. If you keep attempting to engage them, you will eventually get a response of some kind.
You can't shove the gospel down anyone's throat, and teens most of all. They will zone out if you are preachy. You are much more likely to be successful with them if you can demonstrate how much they have in common with ancient Christians. Instead of teaching a class lesson, you can open up the floor for discussion, sit back, and be ready to redirect if the conversation gets off subject.
Good leaders for this age group get to know their kids. They understand which ones love being in the spotlight and which are terrified you will single them out. You have to understand where your kids are spiritually as well. You can't force your way into their confidence. You have to earn the right by your actions.
You should make an effort to get to know the parents, without embarrassing the kids. Parents of little ones will rest easier knowing who you are and that you have their kid's best interests at heart. Parents who don't show up need special attention. Reaching out to them may have to start with you introducing yourself at drop off or pick up times.
Becoming a youth leader is a commitment you should not make lightly. You need to be prepared to stay with the program. Many of your kids will have had family members who left without warning or that they see infrequently. You need to be a consistent presence in their lives.
Teenagers are not babies, and they aren't adults. They are in flux between the two. This is a critical time, and you can make a difference.
If you are leading a group, you have to make it fun. If it isn't, you will quickly lose your crowd. You can make up silly games, have sleep ins, and recruit rock bands for parties. On the surface, they might not seem to have much to do with ministry, but every activity has to have a purpose behind it. You might be encouraging shy kids to participate or forcing everybody to work together. Whatever it is, there must be a gospel message at the foundation.
There are always going to be kids who stand off from the group. These might be teens with parents who forced them into the ministry program or a kid with a crush on a peer who actively attends. Ignoring them is not a solution, and your skin has to be thick enough to withstand repeated rejection. If you keep attempting to engage them, you will eventually get a response of some kind.
You can't shove the gospel down anyone's throat, and teens most of all. They will zone out if you are preachy. You are much more likely to be successful with them if you can demonstrate how much they have in common with ancient Christians. Instead of teaching a class lesson, you can open up the floor for discussion, sit back, and be ready to redirect if the conversation gets off subject.
Good leaders for this age group get to know their kids. They understand which ones love being in the spotlight and which are terrified you will single them out. You have to understand where your kids are spiritually as well. You can't force your way into their confidence. You have to earn the right by your actions.
You should make an effort to get to know the parents, without embarrassing the kids. Parents of little ones will rest easier knowing who you are and that you have their kid's best interests at heart. Parents who don't show up need special attention. Reaching out to them may have to start with you introducing yourself at drop off or pick up times.
Becoming a youth leader is a commitment you should not make lightly. You need to be prepared to stay with the program. Many of your kids will have had family members who left without warning or that they see infrequently. You need to be a consistent presence in their lives.
Teenagers are not babies, and they aren't adults. They are in flux between the two. This is a critical time, and you can make a difference.
About the Author:
When you are searching for information about youth ministries San Antonio TX residents can come to our web pages online today. More details are available at http://www.mountzionfbc.org/youth now.
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