Ask & receive

Group, Sep/Oct 2000

GIVEANDTAKE

What are some ideas that can help a volunteer youth director revitalize a small, dying youth group?

The best way to revitalize a small, dying youth group is a threefold plan. First, get excited about your vision and portray this excitement to your church. People will rally around you and help out if they believe they're making a difference. Second, generate excitement with your teens. Make your teen service the most exciting time of the week. Third, focus on the positives, not the negatives.

Craig Cole

Mt. Airy, Maryland

I started with a small, dying youth group. It stayed that way well over a year. I tried everything. Then the "group" decided to pray together during the after call, with the congregation praying too. In one month we doubled. Exodus 14:14 says it all for me.

Elizabeth Sorrells

Valley, Alabama

I discovered the best thing I could do was to expose my students to the "larger world" of Christian youth. Every chance I had, I took them to a Christian concert, music festival, youth conference, church camp, etc., where they were able to meet other students from around the area and around the country. After awhile they started taking their excitement back to the church, bringing the desired result-a revived ministry.

Dillon Burroughs

Flower Mound, Texas

Many people see a small youth group as a weakness. Use it as a strength. Spend as much time as possible with each youth group member. Call each member every week. Take advantage of the ability to invest time in each group member. This is the best use of your time and the best strategy. In a word, the best idea to revitalize a small youth group is to do what Jesus did: Build relationships!

Steven Julian

Portsmouth, Virginia

Thanks be to God we are seeing the first fruits of a youth revival .... I would say there are no quick fixes to growth. We must leave it in God's hands. Only through much prayer and supplication can we expect to see a mighty move of God.

Scott Pruett

Dawsonville, Georgia

The relationship building that can occur in such a small group is irreplaceable .... Instead of looking at your youth group as dying... look at this as a time of new beginning. Take this opportunity to really get to know those kids who are there. Involve them, this intimate circle, in planning for the future, and rely on them as your leaders. This is "their" youth group.

Colleen Swingle-Titus

Crozet, Virginia

For additional responses, go to youthministry.com, click on group Magazine, and then select "Ask & Receive."

WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

The older members of my congregation are upset over how the youth dress in worship: shorts, T-shirts, etc. How can I defuse this situation?

Ellen Murphy

Martinsburg, West Virginia

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