Creating a Ministry Kids Don't Want to Miss

Lecture Four: Creating a Ministry Kids Don't Want to Miss

Hi, welcome back! I really like this title—Creating a Ministry Kids Don’t Want to Miss—because that’s exactly what we want to do!

I remember one night when I wanted to plant a church, and I had to share my vision with the Governing Board of our denomination. My goal was to present such a compelling plan—such a powerful vision—that this ministry board could not say no.

👉 That’s the kind of enthusiasm you need to pour into youth ministry.

So, let’s start by looking at the negative—what youth ministry is NOT.

What Youth Ministry Is NOT

1. Youth Ministry Is NOT Entertainment or Babysitting

Many churches treat youth ministry as childcare—a way to keep kids busy while the adults do "real church."

  • The sermon is for adults
  • The songs are for adults
  • Everything is designed for adults—so we just "figure something out" for the kids.

The default thinking is:

  • "They won’t like it unless it’s fun."
  • "If they don’t like it, they’ll be grumpy."

But youth ministry isn’t just about keeping kids entertained.

2. Youth Ministry Is NOT About Being "Cool" Adults or Friends

Parents used to be authority figures. They weren’t trying to be our friends.

  • Parents were leaders—not just peers.
  • Discipline and progress were more important than popularity.

The problem with only being a "friend" to youth is that friends don’t always push you to grow.

3. Youth Ministry Is NOT Just a Sunday School Class

  • Sunday school teaches the basics—Bible stories, doctrine, morality, church history.
  • Youth ministry is not just an extension of Sunday school.

Often, churches just rename Sunday school as "youth group"—but keep doing the same thing.

Youth ministry should be more than just another class.

4. Youth Ministry Is NOT Video Lectures

  • Many youth leaders feel insecure about their ability to lead.
  • So, they rely on expert videos—a 30-minute lecture followed by a few shallow discussion questions.

But kids already have YouTube.

If all you do is play videos, you're running a "YouTube group"—not a youth group.

5. Youth Ministry Is NOT Leader-Centered Lectures

Adults often assume:

  • "I have knowledge."
  • "I will share that knowledge with you."
  • "You will learn because I told you."

But kids don’t learn much just by being told things.

  • If they don’t engage, they won’t retain it.
  • If they don’t do something with the information, it won’t stick.

Tomorrow, they won’t remember half of what you said—probably even less.

6. Youth Ministry Is NOT Just Off-the-Shelf Bible Studies

Many youth leaders feel unqualified, so they rely on:

  • Pre-written studies
  • Book-based curriculums

This often results in bored kids and bored leaders.

What does this communicate to youth?

  • That even adults feel insecure.
  • That adults need someone else to do the teaching for them.
  • That they will never be capable of leading themselves.

But young people need to see real people wrestling with real faith—not just following a pre-planned script.

What Are Kids Looking For in Youth Ministry?

1. Friendship

  • Acceptance and belonging
  • A safe space where they feel included
  • Not just a social hierarchy, but true connection

Friendship is incredibly competitive in youth culture:

  • "Am I in the circle?"
  • "Are people talking about me behind my back?"
  • "Was I invited to that event?"

Regardless of their social status, every kid feels insecure.

A good youth ministry creates an environment of belonging.

2. Answers

  • "Who am I?"
  • "What should I do with my life?"
  • "Where am I going?"
  • "What is God like?"
  • "How does my faith fit into everything else?"

Youth are searching for meaning. They need real answers.

3. Challenge

  • Youth need to be pushed.
  • They want to grow—but often don’t know how.

📖 Example: My First Mission Trip

  • I wanted to learn evangelism—but I needed structure to push me.
  • I joined a mission trip to Ogden, Utah—and was forced out of my comfort zone.

Sports teams work the same way:

  • The best coaches challenge players.
  • Growth happens when you push beyond your limits.

Youth ministry should provide challenges—not just entertainment.

4. Encouragement

Young people are constantly corrected:

  • At home: "Don’t do it like that. Do it this way."
  • At school: "You got it wrong. Try again."

👉 They rarely hear encouragement.

Video games are addictive because they provide constant feedback and encouragement.

📌 What if youth ministry encouraged young people at every step?

5. Experiences

  • Kids don’t just need knowledge—they need experiences.
  • Experiences shape and mold them.

Instead of just lecturing about faith, give them hands-on experiences that deepen their faith.

6. A Safe Place to Try and Fail

  • Failure is part of growth.
  • Kids need a space where they can fail safely.

Most young people don’t try new things because they’re afraid of looking stupid.

A great youth ministry removes that fear.

7. Acceptance

📖 Genesis 3: After sin entered the world, Adam and Eve hid.

We all struggle with insecurity.

  • Youth fear being rejected for who they truly are.
  • If they are honest and get rejected, they feel like they have nothing left.

Youth ministry should provide true acceptance in Christ.

8. Purpose and Direction

  • Many young people have no idea where they are going.
  • They need guidance—someone with a map to show them the way.

📖 The Bible is that map.

  • "Why am I here?"
  • "Where is my life going?"
  • "What does God want from me?"

Youth need to know they have a purpose.

How to Create a Ministry Kids Don’t Want to Miss

1. Empower Youth to Take Ownership

  • Don’t just lecture—engage.
  • Let them contribute. Let them lead.

📌 The best ministries feel like "theirs"—not just something given to them by adults.

2. Create Rituals and Traditions

  • Have a motto, a mission statement, a group chant.
  • Establish traditions that make them feel like part of something bigger.

3. Be Intentional About Discipline

  • Discipline creates structure.
  • Without discipline, nothing has meaning.

📌 Kids crave structure—even if they don’t admit it.

4. Give Them a Clear Vision

  • What is the goal of your youth ministry?
  • Where is it going? What’s the big picture?

📌 If youth don’t know why they are there, they won’t stick around.

Final Thoughts

Take what we’ve discussed and put it into practice.

Try something. Experiment. Engage. Challenge. Encourage.

👉 Create a ministry that kids don’t want to miss.

Last modified: Thursday, February 13, 2025, 5:21 AM