Planning a youth ministry calendar is easier when you begin with the big picture. Learn tips from a veteran youth leader and use them as you plan ahead!
I love Google Maps. When you load the homepage, the default view is zoomed way out, showing you the whole country. Type in an address, and it zooms in quickly to show a specific region. Click “street view” and BAM! You’re looking at things as if you were literally walking through the neighborhood. Kinda creepy because Google is secretly stalking us. But kinda awesome at the same time! And it’s a great example of how we typically try planning a youth ministry calendar.
First we look at the big picture of our ministry. Then we zoom in on the season ahead. Finally we get a street view, all the way down to the current teaching series and events. Let me explain.
Planning a Youth Ministry Calendar: The Big Picture
To develop a big picture of your youth ministry, get away for a day. Take a break from the pace of ministry and distractions of email, voicemail, and texts. Then wrestle with an overview of your youth group.
For leaders who live in the world of ideas and vision, this is a simple task. For others, it’s challenging to stick your head above it all and get a glimpse of the whole. Key questions to ask at this big-picture stage:
- Where do you think God wants to take students in the next year?
- What worked well last year, and will it work again?
- This year, what annual events will be effective again?
- What needs to get the ax?
- Have I blocked out my week of vacation?
- Where are we strong, and where are we weak?
- Do we have a good balance of God’s eternal purposes for our ministry (evangelism, fellowship, discipleship, ministry, worship)?
In broad strokes, paint what your youth ministry year will look like. Spend lots of time in prayer, asking God for discernment. Use a pencil!
The Season Ahead
Now you have an idea of the big picture. Next it’s time to specifically plan the next season. You have lots of options. I like to divide the year into three, unequal parts: fall, winter-spring, and summer.
This is the time to firm up specific teaching topics, series, and events. You probably already locked up bigger things like camp, trips, and retreats. So use this time to make final decisions. Key questions to ask at this stage:
- What needs to be cut?
- Am I keeping this program to satisfy a vocal parent/student or because it’s best for our ministry?
- Where do I have momentum naturally, and where is it lacking?
- What are the teaching topics for this season?
- Who is the best person to teach?
- Has my spouse seen this before I go public?
What looked good in the big-picture view might be too much, now that you’re zoomed in a bit closer. At this point, you’re still flexible enough for an audible. Use the eraser, if needed, but definitely not on your vacation time.
