Why the LITTLE things are the BIG things in YOUTH MINISTRY - AXIS Recap

"It's better to be limping in the right direction than to be charging like a bull in the wrong direction."

I will never forget this saying from my father. It rings true! Life is all about heading in the right direction, even if you have to limp or take baby steps to get there.

Over the course of the past year I have seen our youth program take small steps every week in heading towards the right direction. This past Wednesday I saw a lot of neat things (small as they may be) that confirm that we are heading in the right direction.

1. Almost ALL of our teenagers/youth staff played in our opening games/activities. (It's important that teenagers feel like 'we are all in this together'. We played a bunch of silly group games and our youth staff where right in the middle of the game conveying that we are all equals). Even some of our adults that had physical limitations jumped in which showed our students that you can't use your physical limitations as a crutch!
2. We took up an offering to help with our church-wide effort in purchasing apartment complexes for refugees in Iraq. In meeting this physical need it would then open the door for us to meet a spiritual need. Our students gave $656.43. That's a lot of money coming from a group of people that don't have a lot.
3. We partnered with Grace College in hosting college students that take a youth ministry class. The Grace College students who come have had their hearts moved to help out more than just coming to view our ministry. I watched as college students opened up their wallets to give to our offering. One of the college students bought a second time visiting Jr. High girl a Bible because she didn't have one. When people on the outside see God working and want to jump on board it reaffirms in my heart that God truly is working!
4. We've added some incredible youth staff who are doing a terrific job in loving on our teenagers. This past year we've added teachers, former youth pastors, parents, youth counselors, college students, and people who just care about teenagers. Your youth ministry is only as strong as the adults that help within it. You can never have enough good help.
5. During our large group time there was an atmosphere of fun yet purpose. Different students led and our teens (while having fun) allowed them to lead. When students got up to share our teens were intently listening. There is an atmosphere of purpose that is developing. (It's something you can't put your finger on, but that you can intuitively feel). It's apparent that teenagers are buying in.

In the course of a year our group will meet regularly. Every week you can move your group to take the right step. We've taken over 50 steps in heading in the right direction...I'm looking forward to taking our next step together!

Remember, the little things are the BIG things when it comes to youth ministry. These small steps are really GIANT mile markers in the life and history of your youth ministry.

 

We encourage our teenagers to be able to pray out loud! Now during prayer time most do and are able to pray out loud. Just another small step that really is a BIG step!