Get the most of your church's youth program

It’s been awhile! I haven’t written a blog in some time, apparently! Well…I am attempting to write one here today. Actually, I have been thinking about this issue for awhile, but am just now at a point where I have my thoughts completed to put on paper (I think! Ha)

Most church leaders would probably agree that a successful church has an effective youth/children’s program. But how can you, as a parent, make sure your son/daughter gets the most out of what your church offers?

1. Support with your time – Contrary to what you may think, most kids don’t mind if their parents are involved in some way in the youth ministry. Whether it is volunteering to help with crowd control, serve snacks, clean up or set up, or go on a trip there is a sense of connection that helps them see that you value what is important to them.

2. Know what is going on – For the most part, gone are the days of a youth group being a bunch of food and fun and games with a 10-minute “devotion” and call it church. Youth ministries have “grown up” and realized that if they are going to train the next elders, deacons, missionaries, and senior ministers that they must lay a solid foundation in their ministries to help make that happen. Realize that most of the time you see the fun and crazy stuff that happens at the beginning of a service and at the end of the service, then your kid only talks about the silly game or crazy fun that they had. Did you ask what the lesson was about? Do you ask what adults they are connecting with? Those are important questions to ask each and every week your child attends. Sometime stick around and hang out and observe what happens at a typical Sunday, Wednesday or small group Bible Study that your child attends.

** As a side note…if your church’s youth program is not serving your child spiritually, talk to your youth pastor, senior pastor, or church leaders about it. A youth program must have the focus on your kids relationship with God, not just entertainment…it’s just that important! **

3. Refrain from using youth group as a form of punishment – Think about the logic. If you punish your child for doing something wrong by making them miss youth group you could be punishing them from hearing the very Biblical truth that they need to hear to make better choices. Talk to your youth pastor or youth leader about a discipline and they can help you decide together what might be ok to miss (for example: missing the next youth group laser tag outing might be better than missing the midweek worship service).

4. Make the youth program a priority by making church a priority – We wouldn’t think of missing sports practice or games or other club activity because of homework, but we sometimes don’t think twice about missing church or youth group for such things. If there is soccer and youth group that night and your child can only attend one…what is the BEST option spiritually? What a great example you set as a parent when you set the non-negotiable boundary for Sunday & Wednesday (or whenever your youth meet) as a non-negotiable/emergency only night, and schedule the other 5 nights with other things.

5. Pray for and support your church’s youth leaders – Don’t just say you will or tell them you are going to, why don’t you this Sunday grab one of your kids Sunday School, youth group leaders, or youth pastor and actually pray for them. Out loud. And let them know you appreciate what they are doing in your kids’ lives.

Lastly, if you are not involved in a church that has a youth ministry program or children’s program…help start one. If you have any questions about the youth program @ Mt. Gilead where I attend, let me know. We don’t do it right every time…but we try our best to help make a difference in the lives of kids by helping them seek a relationship with Christ, share Christ with others, and shine for Christ in how they live. As always, I appreciate your feedback.

Matt