Ideas for Youth Ministry: Tips to Promote and Sustain Involvement

Abby Kahler profile picture
By Abby Kahler

Published
5 min read

Teens. Youth. Generation Z.

Older generations seem disheartened with them, and think pieces on "problems" with youth culture abound.

Historically speaking, this isn't the first time an older generation has despaired at the perceived disengagement of youth. In 1859, Scientific American called chess "a mere amusement of a very inferior character, which robs the mind of valuable time."

In 2018, just swap out chess for smartphones.

While the culture has changed, older adults frequently continue their tendency of viewing younger adults as promoters of societal ills. Churches aren't excluded from this.

The longer churches continue looking at teens as the counterculture and not as part of the church family, the greater the divide becomes.

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To create a sustainable, relevant youth ministry in 2018, you have to avoid making judgments or sweeping generalizations and ensure that teens feel like they belong.

We've got four tips to help you do just that.

After we go over some tips on effectively presenting your ministry to teenagers, we'll dive into long-term planning and look at some strategies to keep teens coming back.

4 Tips to Effectively Promote Your Youth Ministry

1. Pare down the buzzwords

Teenagers have a Spider-Sense when it comes to authenticity; they can spot lingo being deployed as a method of "reaching out" a mile away.

Though you want to meet teens where they are, it's easy to miss the mark and come off as disingenuous, especially if you're using internet buzzwords and memes. Make sure that the references you make and the memes you share to convey your messages are ones you're actually familiar with (and like). Your teens will be more comfortable if you act like someone from your own generation, rather than trying to pass as 17.

2. Leverage social media

If your church uses church management software with social networking functionality (such as The City), or your youth group has its own social media groups, try asking young people to submit individual feedback about their experience in the church (positive or otherwise). With their permission, share quotes from kids on your platform, sampling some of the more interesting, funny, or thought-provoking responses.

Many kids who stop attending youth group may think that their lack of interest in the group is totally unique, and sharing feedback can dispel that fear and demonstrate your willingness to learn from the group and adapt.

3. Get actual kids on this

A lot of teens want to be taken seriously and given responsibility. Asking teenagers to contribute based on their unique skills and interests (think graphic design, photography, or social media posting, to name a few) can help them feel wanted and needed. Don't just put out a general call for volunteers; personally ask teens to help out in areas that you know match their interests.

This will take some coordination on your part, but it can expand your typical core base of volunteers and keep the voice of your youth ministry actually youthful.

4. Use their platforms, tactfully

There are a lot of guides that can help you figure out where to start with social media. Don't try to do everything or come across like a teen using these platforms; use your youth ministry's social media accounts to cover basics such as reminders about service times and previewing upcoming events.

Sharing a single snap to your Snapchat story or posting a few photos from last year's youth retreat on Instagram is sufficient. Social media is one of the least obtrusive ways to insert your program into the daily lives of your teens.

Now What? 2 Ways to Sustain Your Youth Ministry

Now that you've got the look and feel of your ministry taken care of, teens are showing up to give it a shot.

It's time to make sure you're set up to sustain your ministry and ensure teens are emotionally invested and in it for the long haul.

We've got two suggestions to help you foster a community organized around inclusion and care that will keep teens coming back.

1. Use church software to get organized

This seems too simple, I know. One of the best features of church software is its ability to track attendance, and one of the best things about teens is their willingness to use a new app.

Whereas it can be difficult to get adults to check in during Sunday morning services (we have some tips to help with that, too), in a youth group setting teens are more willing to download an app that allows check-ins. Teens are quick to embrace technology, and it's easier to monitor and ensure correct usage in a group that isn't congregation-sized.

Once you're tracking attendance, you can learn a lot from the data you collect. For example, if you find that the attendance rate for youth group slopes off at 14, highschoolers may need differently designed youth group experiences after middle school to stay engaged. You can also figure out if certain monthly themes bring in bigger numbers by cross-referencing attendee numbers with your message history.

2. Mobilize your members into teams

It's important to make sure that your teens aren't just involved with your youth group but also develop friendships with each other. Facilitate this by organizing small groups, in which older teens help guide younger teens through each week's materials.

Smaller group settings will help teens bond with each other by removing participation barriers that can exist in intimidating, large group settings. Getting older students involved in each group will also foster natural mentorships between teens. These relationships are the lifeblood your ministry needs to remain alive.

Your Ideas?

These are just some of the ways technology can benefit your youth ministry, boosting involvement and communication.

What other ways have you used technology to help your youth group blossom? Share your success stories in the comments below!


Looking for Church Management software? Check out Capterra's list of the best Church Management software solutions.

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About the Author

Abby Kahler profile picture

Abby Kahler is a graphic designer for Capterra, a company that loves connecting buyers and sellers of business software. She specializes in church management software. When she’s not covering the industry, you can find her doodling furiously in Photoshop and clogging up her hard drive with graphic design projects.

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