Youth Ministry Planning Tools
Planning tips and resources recommended by Bridget Nelson, Youth Ministry Initiatives Coordinator for The Michigan Conference.
YOUTH MINISTRY: Getting ready for Fall
As the fall approaches, now is the time to get your church events onto family calendars! Whatever your schedule is for youth ministry (weekly, monthly, etc), get that information in the hands of students and parents as soon as possible. Family calendars start to take shape as soon as fall sports start at the high school, so be sure to have church information in the mix!
CONSISTENCY IS KEY: Stick to the Plan
Decide now when your youth will meet, and stick to the plan. Attendance will ebb and flow but don’t make any drastic changes until you’ve given it a chance. Be there when you say you will!
COMMUNICATION IS CRITICAL: Reminders Work
Start by getting your calendar out to families, then decide how you will do reminders each week. Weekly email? Reminder texts? Parents and students need to hear from you regularly! Make a plan and stick to the plan.
YOUTH WORKER NETWORK: Learn & Connect!
Following the REACH Summit in October, the Youth Worker Network will again be taking registrations for 2020. This group is for adults working with youth in local churches. We meet once a month to learn more about the field, encourage one another and learn from each others best practices. This is a great way to learn more about youth ministry but also to connect with others who get the joys and challenges of youth ministry!
BRIDGET’S FAVORITE ONLINE RESOURCES:
BRIDGET’S BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS:
Sustainable Youth Ministry by Mark DeVries
Growing Young by Kara Powell
CONNECT WITH BRIDGET NELSON:
Michigan Conference Youth Ministry Initiatives Coordinator
[email protected] * 517-347-4030 x4095