I hear it everywhere I go. “My students don’t have the time for youth group. They’re pretty busy with extracurriculars.” Students are so busy these days that they don’t have the time to go to church and connect with other students who love Christ. This is a big deal. Sure, maybe the added activities outside of church will help them get into college, but what then? They’ll fall away. Here are two ideas on how to overcome this obstacle.
Realize this is a parent problem
Create a one-hour parent training workshop on prioritizing for your student. Remember that parents have their students over involved because they think it’s good for them. Help them understand it’s not; remind them that they have the power to change it and what the benefits are of being in a community of believers. Note: one workshop won’t make a difference; you will have to follow it up with articles and resources. Don’t give up; your students need to hear something seven times before they listen, and it’s not much different for parents.
Be creative with meeting times
Every church I visit does youth ministry the same way. I am not sure how this happened but we all feel like we must meet on Sunday at some point and follow that up with a mid-week event. Think outside the box. When and where are your students? How could your adults get more time with them by not having them come to you but you going to them? Church has made huge changes in the past twenty years but has youth ministry followed?
