3. Integrate students into the entire church.
If you have a small church, it’s important to always create space at the table for students. Are you holding a church-wide event such as a potluck, a pumpkin patch trip, or a movie in the park? Then create room for students to prepare. Their involvement will communicate that kids’ opinions matter and that they have a place to serve in the broader church.
Another small church youth ministry idea? Invite the rest of the church to teenagers’ events. For example, if a student is performing in the school Christmas concert, use that as an opportunity for the church to support and celebrate the student. Invite the entire church to the performance. Then host a dessert bar at the church afterward. Imagine students looking into the crowd and seeing seats filled with people from church cheering them on.
4. Never cancel an event.
This should be your number-one rule. When filling out a yearly event calendar, plan events that don’t require a minimum number of students. That way you never have to cancel an event if only one or two teens show up.
When you cancel an event due to low attendance, you’re communicating to the few students who did come that they aren’t valued. Steer clear of events that require a certain number of students. Also, have a plan B in case attendance is lower or higher than expected.
5. Leave a legacy of systems and processes.
Finally, acknowledge that most small church youth ministry workers won’t serve in the same place for 10 or 20 years. One of the best gifts you can leave for your small church is a detailed description of systems and processes. Write them in a notebook or easy-to-access digital file system.
That way, the things you’ve learned aren’t living just in your head. Those systems and processes will help whoever steps into your shoes know the youth ministry calendar and the best ways to plan each event.
The YS Idea Labs are filmed on location at the National Youth Workers Convention. Check out more YS Idea Labs here.
