Programing Problem

By Doug Franklin May 17, 2012

We all know how busy students are these days. We also know that when we schedule youth group for Wednesday or Sunday nights students are less and less willing to come. But we don’t change. We can’t keep thinking that just because we schedule a program event that students will come. We have to start thinking about creative ways to go out and meet them. Programing is dead and if its still working at your church it won’t be long before it won’t. Students want to know Christ, they just don’t want to go to church to learn about him. So youth ministry and its leadership is going to have to change. You can’t expect students to come your way we must go their way. Three quick ideas on how to reach-out to students:

1. Communicate differently
Got a student who is not coming to any programing events? Ask them out for coffee and tell them that your job is to help them. Period. We have nothing else to do but help them grow through their teenage years. You would like to know what you can do for them. Tutoring, relationship advice, cheering them at school events and spiritual help are all available – what do they need?

2. Notes on their cars
Write notes to your students on paper and place them on their car. You may look like a stalker but to be honest you are. You are pursuing them.

3. Meeting after school
Got a student in band? Offer to meet after band for 15 minutes. Got students in lacrosse? Offer to meet after practice for 15 minutes. It’s all about relationships but these days relationships have to happen in less time. Take whatever time they have.