Does it pay to organize a fall youth group retreat? Read on for expert advice about this important youth ministry topic.
Summer is over, and students are back in school. Weekends are filled with football and harvest events. Oh, how I love the fall!
Having been in my current role less than two years, I’m still in the learning curve of figuring out our group’s culture. But one thing all our students want is a fall youth group retreat!
Decide Whether To Do a Fall Youth Group Retreat
First step back and think about your overall programming strategy. Here’s a thumbnail sketch of ours:
1. What’s the current spiritual maturity of our students?
As our church’s point person for student ministry, I’m constantly observing and thinking and writing notes about our students. I also like to formally and informally involve some key leaders in the conversation. This includes parents, students, and volunteers.
Note: Be very strategic about who you invite to this table. Get a diverse sample for a variety of answers and input. But don’t fill your team with contrarians. Also, communicate that you reserve the right (at your own risk) to not act on their input.
2. What are students’ current and most pressing needs?
Next up: It’s important to balance felt needs (what students want to talk about and experience) and perceived needs (what you and your team know students need to talk about and experience). As a team, we talk and pray about needs within our group and which ones need addressing most immediately.
Note: Sometimes the need is an experience, not a topic. Maybe your group needs a missions experience. Maybe your group needs to do something that includes their families. Or maybe kids need to do something mindlessly hilarious.
As you build a safe environment for students, each experience is part of the overall spiritual-formation process.
