Things Not To Do In A Youth Ministry

Note to self, never do this for a Youth Ministry event. I'm not saying it won't draw a bunch of students, or that student won't enjoy it, but it's probably not a good idea.

Tapatio and Ministry

One of the things about youth ministry that I love is the link between fun and spirituality. I believe that fun for a junior high student is a gateway to connecting with a church and with God. Last night we played a favorite game of mine called Eat That Food. Last night I watched an 8th grade guy eat two snowballs and three zingers in three bites total! I also watched another 8th grade guy drink a 5 oz. bottle of Tapatio hot sauce in 4 drinks! As disgusting as this sounds, and yes, it was disgusting, the students had a great time.

I think that sometimes in ministry we get so focused on getting students information about the Bible that we forget that the time we spend with students and providing a fun atmosphere for them to get to know us and each other is more beneficial than just lecturing them about the Bible. Whenever we see Jesus ministering to others, He is spending time with them and enjoying time with them. Now would Jesus be running a game that makes students drink Tapatio and eat snowballs, I don't know, but I think He would defiantly be making sure people were enjoying community, learning and growing together.

Last night we had a Student Minsitries Night of Worship. It was great to see students worshipping. Our theme was repentance. It was a great time of examining our hearts and asking God to change us.

1 Corinthians 11:27-28 So anyone who eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord unworthily is guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. That is why you should examine yourself before eating the bread and drinking the cup.

It was a good time. Thanks Sam, Jeff and Luke for leading worship.

Death To The Big Youth Ministry Events

Alright, so I've been thinking, and I'm tired of doing big events. I'm tired of putting hours and hours of preparation work into a game night or an all nighter, broom hockey and gross out games. I'm tired of having a ton of kids show up to an event, most of which are from other churches, and then nothing change in my weekly service. Why do I have to do it? Where in the Bible does it say "Thou shalt have a big giant event that draws a ton of students?" I'm done, I'm finished with the big event.

I know this might hurt the feelings of some youth workers out there, but I'm just speaking honestly when I say, I don't think the big event mentality and model of ministry is as effective as it was in the past. Granted I believe in fun and that is a valuable part of youth ministry, but I feel like fun can be had in smaller events, just as well as bigger events. What if we spent more time with smaller groups of students, than trying to spend a couple of hours a month with a giant group of students that you don't even get meet most of? Jesus didn't put on big events for His followers. He didn't spend time preparing and planning, He just did ministry and people came to join.

As the school year comes to end and I've planned my summer calendar, I look ahead to the fall and wonder what is the most effective way to do youth ministry in our culture? What's working, what's not working? Any thoughts?