From Brad Thornton: Bremen Missionary Church Youth Pastor & District Youth Director

Youth Ministry CAN Support the Church

I know at times when looking at church ministry as a whole, student ministries can sometimes feel like they have to take a backseat to all others. But for the most part, we might be the ones to blame for that thinking amongst the rest of the church. Do you think of yourself as part of the bigger picture of your church's ministry, or are you trying to set yourselves apart from them every chance you get? Do you plan events and activities that correlate with the rest of the church and its calendar? Are you conveying your vision and direction for your student ministry to the rest of the leadership within the church? Student ministry is a part of the greater whole. Once we see ourselves in that way, as a part of what God is doing through our congregations, we will be able to serve the church so much more effectively.

Here are a few ideas I have gleaned from others over time and have tried putting them into practice. They have helped me along the way in seeing our student ministry become a vital part of the church as a whole.

1. Host an event that supports the church. Look to see if there is another ministry in the church that you can get your students involved with. Quit looking inwardly and send some of them out for awhile. Maybe they can minister in the nursery during your services. Not the same students all the time either ...spread them around so it gives everyone a chance to serve. How about planning a carnival or something similar for the children's ministry. Have your students plan and then work the whole thing simply to give the children's ministry workers a break for a week. They would love to sit back and enjoy a night off. And, don't forget to do something for the adults or senior citizens as well. Take an evening and send students out to simply go visit with some of the older adults in their homes. For the most part, they absolutely love to sit and just talk with young people. What a blessing you can be by simply giving time and a listening ear. Who knows, those old folks just might be able to teach us young ones a thing or two!
2. Clean up when you make a mess. Who us? NO! We never make a mess! Right?? You know as well as I do that we are not always to blame, but we do cause a few stains here and there that show up after the students parade through the church. When that is the case, please be sure to clean up. For that matter, even if you know you didn't make the mess, clean it anyway. Save yourself the hassle of having to defend your students when they get blamed for it. My wife and I have always had the philosophy, "leave it better than how you found it." In life and ministry, that one can make a huge impression on those that come after you. When you are done with the church van, be sure it gets swept out and the gas tank is filled up. Heck, you can even wash the thing! It might be the only time it happens all year long.
3. Try to implement this idea into your philosophy as well: Be flexible. When someone wants to borrow something from your student ministry program, let them. If you get stingy with your stuff, do not expect anyone to come running to your aide when the time comes. If they need to use your room, find a way to make it work for all involved. If something gets planned on the same date you had something going on, try to find an alternate date for your event, if possible. Some things are worth fighting for. Just know which ones they are and go to bat for those, but also know when to just smile and nod.

I know it might sound and feel like I'm asking you to just lay down and let everyone walk all over your ministry, but believe me, I am not. I am simply asking you to become part of the whole church ministry. 

Sometimes we can minister much more powerfully by being part of a great team. Your student ministry will become stronger and will be looked upon more favorably if the rest of the church feels like you want to be on the same team and not the "Lone Ranger." That kind of thinking will get you and your ministry stranded on the figurative island real quickly. And, once you are floating out there on your own ...it can be a long paddle back to the mainland.