Youth ministry is at its best when it has a team of engaged and dedicated adults pouring into students with the goal of helping them encounter the transforming power of Jesus. The youth ministry team is crucial, but one youth pastor alone cannot connect deeply with every student, attend every extracurricular activity, or complete every task required of a thriving youth ministry. So recruiting and sustaining a team of safe and committed adults who are willing to partner with you in ministry is so important. To do so, consider the following four strategies to help you rethink how you invite people to serve in youth ministry.
1. Think Intergenerationally
It might seem easiest to ask the energetic college student who is hilarious, loves games, and is the loudest and goofiest in the room to serve in youth ministry. We need those people. But don’t overlook the older folks in your congregation who have years of wisdom and experience that could be vital to your ministry. The empty nester couple or the retired older woman or man in your congregation who has the time, compassion, and gentle spirit might pour into your students in ways that younger adults can’t. Youth ministry needs a mix of both younger and older adults to create a well-rounded youth ministry team; each can bring unique gifts and skills to their roles.
2. Think Invitationally
Consider inviting the whole congregation to youth group one night so they can see what happens in youth ministry. Invite the church to join in on games, worship, and small groups. Notice the adults who may connect well with youth ministry and are naturally able and willing to pour into students. Use this as an opportunity for the church to get connected with youth ministry and be more aware of the structure and content, as well as a way of getting other adults who could join the youth ministry team on your radar!
3. Think Options
Your core team of adults needs to be able to show up consistently for students at each youth group gathering (or most gatherings), which is crucial for relationship and trust building. However, consider how you can make space in your youth ministry for other adults who might not be able to serve every week but can still pour into youth ministry in other ways. If the only option you have for adults to serve is every single week throughout, don’t be surprised when only a few are willing to commit to this. Instead, offer additional serve positions other adults could participate in: opening up their home for a small group or grade-level-specific event, special event help, small group leader subs, providing a meal or snack before youth group, etc. The more connections that students have with safe, compassionate, Jesus-loving adults in your church, the better.
4. Think Time and Attention
It’s no secret that a big challenge in youth ministry is creating and sustaining a dedicated team of responsible adults to partner with. One reason could be that youth pastors are mostly focused on serving only their youth! Sometimes youth pastors pour so much into connecting with students that the volunteers get little attention and may be underappreciated. Building and sustaining an effective team requires attention to youth ministry volunteers as well. Promptly communicating accurate information, connecting one-on-one with volunteers, leading monthly team meetings, sending thank you cards of encouragement, and sending yearly youth ministry team gifts can go a long way in ensuring your team members know how deeply they are valued and appreciated.
You’re Not Alone
Youth ministry becomes meaningful and successful when a team of people are willing to invest in the lives of young people. Rethinking our approaches of inviting people to serve in youth ministry is vital to cultivating a thriving ministry that makes an impact for our students. Rest easy, pastor. You don’t have to do this alone!
