Developing a Youth Ministry Plan (cont.)
6. Pray early and often for stronger youth ministry.
Next up: Know that youth ministry cannot succeed without being in the will of God. So bathe your youth ministry in prayer daily. Include it in congregational prayers on Sundays. Develop a prayer calendar for yourself, praying through specific needs of leaders and teens. Be intentional in prayer. Don’t do it only when you think you have time. Make time!
7. Build relationships with volunteers.
Your leaders are crucial to stronger youth ministry. So invest in them. Get to know the flock whom God called you to shepherd. These are the faces and voices of youth ministry in your church, and they reflect your leadership. The more you equip and support leaders, the stronger the program will become.
8. Build on your church’s other faith-nurturing ministries.
You must build a ministry on systematic theology that equips children, youth, and young adults with a biblical worldview. Work with leaders of your church’s Sunday school and catechism classes on a complete faith-formation plan for young people. For more, visit our Building Blocks of Faith toolkit at crcna.org/FaithFormation/toolkits.
9. Don’t live in a silo.
Intergenerational interaction is critical for teens’ faith formation. Look for opportunities for students to learn, serve, and grow with people of various ages. Plan intergenerational service projects and mission trips. Invite older church members to tell their faith stories.
For more ideas on developing a youth ministry plan, visit our Intergenerational Church toolkit and Faith Storytelling toolkit at crcna.org/FaithFormation/toolkits.
10. Be accountable for your actions.
Last but definitely not least… In ministry, accountability is key. Whether you’re planning an event, setting communication strategies, or meeting with the senior pastor, be accountable. You’re under a microscope when you do ministry. So be self-aware and honor others through your actions and deeds.
This article about developing a youth ministry plan originally appeared here.
