Rebuilding!!!!

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Permalink Reply by EricWilbanks on November 29, 2008 at 11:21am

At this point (I realize this will change) the folks on here are all veterans. We've all been through the ups and downs. My question is whether or not things are "dramatically different" than they were 10 years ago and how this will affect our approach to youth ministry. And here's another interesting question: What (if anything) can we learn from the "innovative" marketing strategy of the Obama campaign about capturing the attention and "loyalty" of today's teens and young adults? [[This is NOT a political question, but a church marketing question.]]

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Permalink Reply by James Halfhill on November 30, 2008 at 4:28pm

Obama and his team were brilliant at reaching the younger generation. What I think I see from his campaign was the effective us of multimedia. He used Facebook, youtube, traditional media, etc. The fact is he appealed to a younger generation but taking a hard look at where they were and met them there. What I am finding is Facebook and text messages are as important a means of communication as standing in their living room. Then there is listening to what is important to them and addressing it. I think he did well there. So as a learning experience we must examine as Eric is suggesting the means to how they effectively communicated to an entire new generation.

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Permalink Reply by James Halfhill on November 30, 2008 at 4:21pm

Well rebuilding is difficult no matter what, but I have found that going back to basics and going simple always works. When ever we are losing numbers it unfortunately says something to us, and what is says is unique to each situation. What I suggest is ask loaded questions of key students and see what they say. You could also contact some of those who have left to see why? Many times students leaving have nothing to do with us or the youth program, and that is the hardest I think. Another thing is how effective are your leaders in communicating and connecting with students. Our students today are very relationally oriented and it is important to measure the effectiveness of our programs to connect to students. Yet I come back to what I said in the beginning, I have found that getting back to basics helps in restoring a program, now for me the basics are these few things:

1. Relationships, relationships relationships.
2. communication with parents.
3. identify key student leaders and make the investment.
4. develop effective adult and student leaders.
5. program evaluation - what is unique to us and how can we do it better.
6. Fun program calendar - look for relationship building events.
7. Visitor retention and follow up
8. Develop an effective, fun, exciting, and challenging youth service
9. Community Outreach projects for the students.
10. Finally loads and loads of prayer.

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Permalink Reply by Rod Mock on November 30, 2008 at 5:01pm

James, excellent I will really put most if not all your advice to use! I especially like the effectiveness of my leaders in communication! Thanks

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Permalink Reply by James Halfhill on November 30, 2008 at 5:08pm

No problem, every once in awhile I have a thought it's rare but they happen.

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Permalink Reply by Robin McKee on December 1, 2008 at 9:46pm

The first thing I would say is to build a strong parents team. I have a parents council that has helped our student ministry go to the next level. I approached nine parents that had two or more students in the ministry and I now meet with them once a month. It has been priceless to see the labour they are willing to put in and make it happen.

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Permalink Reply by EricWilbanks on December 1, 2008 at 10:16pm

I agree, Robin. Getting parents on board is critical. The biggest challenge I faced was in convincing parents that (A) they were more than qualified to work with teens and (B) that, contrary to popular belief, teens actually want their parents involved in their spiritual lives. Once you cross those hurdles, everything gets better. This is not just good strategy, it's Biblically based (read the mandate to parents in Deuteronomy 6).

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Permalink Reply by Patrick Ringler on December 5, 2008 at 12:51pm

One great thing you can do is realize that it will not completely change tomorrow. When you build a house you start with foundation, walls, etc. Same when rebuilding a student ministry. Find out what the foundation of the group is going to be, after that slowly begin create the structure that everything else will work under. Outreach, Follow-up, discipleship classes, leadership (student and adult), campus ministry, serving, etc. There are many things that structure pertains to, i also believe the limit and success of ministry is based on the structures that are in place.

I am rebuilding a little myself. We are bottom heavy (Middle School) so we are placing our Core Classes, Campus Ministry, Middle School area on the front burner. By doing this we are training leaders to run and lead the ministry as i transfer to the next wave of structure. My goal is to dream and try to understand what it is going to take (Structure wise) to run a student ministry that is double or triple what I have right know. The hardest part for me is releasing things to my adult leaders and let them caught a burden for them.

You can reach students and pack the place out but if there is not structure to support them and develop them they will stay for awhile and then exit the dreeded back door. But if we have the structure in place as students come the will flow into that structure and in turn create momentum for the direction of your student ministry. "movement without direction is a waste of energy"

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Permalink Reply by James Halfhill on December 5, 2008 at 1:02pm

I totally agree, identify and build a strong support network. Tap your parents, getting them involved as well as gleaming their support will go along way in building a strong foundation. It's important to remember that it takes roughly 18 months to just get started and in my experience about 3 years to see the difference. Keep at it be patient and continue to evaluate.

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Permalink Reply by Patrick Ringler on December 6, 2008 at 8:40pm

Never really thought of the time frame you gave above, but i think you are right. I know it takes about 18-24 months before they really become your students. Man James you have me thinking... Greatest quote "Keep at it be patient and continue to evaluate" man that is wisdom in more ways then one

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