Youth ministry vision and purpose provide big-picture context to your program. Without knowing the why behind your plans, the details about what and how won’t matter.
I recently read the book Start With Why by Simone Sinek. The focus of is in the title. People care more about why you do something than what you do or how you do it. So why don’t we start by asking why before we create another ineffective program?
I used to think that if I told kids what we did (events, fun, concerts, etc.) and how we did it ( with energy, lots of give aways, food, big crowds), they would be sold. They’d come to the event and then stick around for a while.
Had I stuck to that premise only, I would have left youth ministry long ago. The what and the how no longer excite me. But the why still keeps me going. That’s where youth ministry vision and purpose come in.
The Why: Youth Ministry Vision and Purpose
I think most kids know I don’t do youth ministry for money, fame, and glory…because there isn’t any. They stuck around because I care about them, hang out with them, share the truth with them, and sometimes discipline them.
Teens figured out that the why undercurrent of my life—my youth ministry vision and purpose—is to see them become dedicated followers of Christ. They know I’ll never give up on them.
This doesn’t mean my why was faultless. Sometimes I’d slip, focusing on what we do and how we do it. Sometimes I didn’t do relationships well, but the kids hung around anyway, God bless ’em.
So, how do we take the translate the meaninglessness out of our what and how of youth ministry? Instead of an invitation tag line or bumper for the next video of a  program we’re pushing, what compelling story or mission can be share?
An Example of Youth Ministry Vision and Purpose
Recently I rethought our worship band. Below is my why, what, and how of our youth band. I recently sent this information to our band leader.
Why do we have a band? This is purely philosophical. Yet if we can’t answer the why then the what and the how don’t matter. Why do we have a band?
- It lets young people use their talents to glorify God rather than be spectators.
- Young people need peers to model what worship is.Â
- When we create an atmosphere of worship with the best we have and lift God high, students will step out in faith and worship God in the fullness of the Spirit.Â
Simple right? This is what the band will do.
1. Practice become worship leaders to their peers to the throne room of God, in band practice.
2. Grow deeper in their individual walk with God because of their commitment to worship
3. Become the best they can be at their instrument and vocals.
More simple, right? This is how we’re going to do it. We will…
- Expect kids to be at practice and on time. Let’s have a few weeks of grace but the rule in the past is: If you don’t practice with the band, you do not play with the band that following week.
- Create an environment of innovation. No idea is too crazy, no song to stupid, no combination of instruments too ludicrous. In other words, if they have an idea, let them share it, weigh it against the feedback of the rest of the band and what you think; and if it is doable, run with it. This means if someone has a solo, either instrumentally or vocally let’s figure out how to fit that in (special, offering, communion, closing, etc.)
- Mentor and challenge kids to step up. Don’t let talented kids hide. Encourage them to step out. Really focus on certain kids to be lead worshippers.
- We’ll bang the drum in all these areas. We will say it, write it, practice it, show it, paint it, sing it, or any other method that will keep our why at the forefront.
- We will start each practice with a short devotion about worship. It will include interactive (open-ended) questions. We’ll let kids struggle to answer ”What does this mean for me personally?” “What does this mean for us as a band and a youth ministry?”
- Recruit fantastic musicians and singers, from inside and outside the church, to mentor our kids in their instruments and vocals.
That process took me 15 minutes to complete. Feel free to use it, rework it to make it your own, or come up with something else. Just take time to ensure that youth ministry vision and purpose permeate your program.
