I have never had a problem with a kid's behavior whenever I've taken them to an amusement park. This is not because our supervision of them is excellent. If anything, its lacking. Instead, it is because there is no motivation to do anything but the right thing. If a kid messes up, they aren't riding a roller coaster so they realize its in their best interest to do well.
Our main event, we try to keep this same feeling. We keep the energy cranked to the proverbial "11" and make sure that kids have something to constantly look forward to until they realize that the two hours have passed. By doing this, we eliminate most behavior problems, whether its drama, or its kids sneaking off.
Bible studies and Sunday schools, its harder to do this with, but there are little things you can do to keep kids interested and moving forward, but the main thing is that kids typically want to be at Bible study which is nice. Sunday school is a beast I have no idea how to fix, so any suggestions would be great!
-Schutte
Monday, November 14, 2011
Monday, October 24, 2011
Dress for Success
One of my favorite things about student ministry at my church is that I do not have to dress up for work. At the same time, I need to at least not look sloppy. Basically, I want to look as if a parent came in with a concern, they would not blow me off on my appearance alone. From Monday to Saturday, I base my dress on the other staff members at the church wear.
Sundays are a different stories. I want to be in the top 10% of the dressed people in the church. This is so when a new family comes in and I ask them to trust me, a total stranger with their kids at our programs, I look like a professional.
Don't let yourself get lazy on the hygiene anytime. Good shaves, clean hands, and good haircuts go a long way. It seems simple, but so often I see other youth pastors get lazy on these things. But truth be told, we are trying to reach the world, and the world judges by appearance, so we have to earn our way in!
-Schutte
Sundays are a different stories. I want to be in the top 10% of the dressed people in the church. This is so when a new family comes in and I ask them to trust me, a total stranger with their kids at our programs, I look like a professional.
Don't let yourself get lazy on the hygiene anytime. Good shaves, clean hands, and good haircuts go a long way. It seems simple, but so often I see other youth pastors get lazy on these things. But truth be told, we are trying to reach the world, and the world judges by appearance, so we have to earn our way in!
-Schutte
Monday, September 12, 2011
The Edge of No Control!
Every church is different, but for us, we find Sunday nights are the best for our big program. We aim for this to be where we pull new kids in and have fun and give a bit of a lighter message. During this time, we go for an energy level that I refer to as "The edge of no control" or TEONC for short. Alright, I never really say TEONC.
Really, we are never in real danger of things getting out of hand, but we want kids to feel excitement and unpredictability. Nothing is better than when we get kids pumped up to start the night and then play a game that goes horribly wrong in a great way. For example, one day working at a small country church, one of my leaders called and said, "We should play pin the tail on the donkey." What I did not realize is that he meant on a real live donkey. When it came time for the game, this big old goofy redneck youth councilor and the special needs councilor came in to the youth room dressed out in ponchos and sombreros and talking really bad Spanish accidents. The game was ridiculous and totally did not work, but kids were pumped up and told their friends.
There is a time to be solemn, but realistically, Church is supposed to be a place of joy. Jesus is great and gives joy. So don't let your house of worship every be dreary or seem unexciting. It does not give the the character of God to your students. So be sure to keep your enthusiasm and energy up!
-Schutte
Really, we are never in real danger of things getting out of hand, but we want kids to feel excitement and unpredictability. Nothing is better than when we get kids pumped up to start the night and then play a game that goes horribly wrong in a great way. For example, one day working at a small country church, one of my leaders called and said, "We should play pin the tail on the donkey." What I did not realize is that he meant on a real live donkey. When it came time for the game, this big old goofy redneck youth councilor and the special needs councilor came in to the youth room dressed out in ponchos and sombreros and talking really bad Spanish accidents. The game was ridiculous and totally did not work, but kids were pumped up and told their friends.
There is a time to be solemn, but realistically, Church is supposed to be a place of joy. Jesus is great and gives joy. So don't let your house of worship every be dreary or seem unexciting. It does not give the the character of God to your students. So be sure to keep your enthusiasm and energy up!
-Schutte
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
10 Ideas to Better Attract New Students
Here is a list of 10 ideas to bring in new students:
10. Hang out at their school. When you hunt a deer, you have to leave your house. When you go fishing, you have to be in the water. When you find new kids to share Christ to, you have to go to their natural habitat.
9. Hit up the kids who are going to your church, but are not involved. A lot of times, all kids need is an encouragement. I remember as a high school kid, I simply invited one girl who I used to know, but had not seen in a while. She ended up really reconnected with Jesus and the church and now, its all good in the hood like throwback and timbs.....
8. Hold an event specifically targeting new bodies in the door such as a battle of the bands or a movie night. If I hear one more youth pastor say, "Our revival will bring people from all over the world in," I will be forced to slap someone. The church needs to meet people in the middle at first.
7. Make youth group more enjoyable. I like Bible study as much as the next youth pastor, but for real, if it puts your leaders to sleep, odds are, your kids are passed out. Its O.K. to make church enjoyable, the higher ups will never know your kids had a good time.
6. Make youth group deeper. Opposite to number 7, I have to say my admiration of going deep. If a kid learns every lesson you teach in 3 weeks, you need to expand your cirriculum. My motto is "Do work!" and basically means go all out on everything. No one has ever said my youth program is not intense enough.
5. Champion mini-van parents. Everyone knows who I am talking about because if you do not know a peer who is one, as a kid, you rode with one. A mini-van parent is typically a mom who always has a full van full a kids, less than half her own. Build that relationship and encourage their bringing of new students.
4. Make all new students feel welcome. Sounds crazy simple, but there are a lot of crazy bad youth pastors out there.
3. Love the world. You show Christ through love, you will bring in new people to the faith. Jesus wasn't super popular at first because he offered salvation. He was followed by thousands because he loved. Therefore, if you love like Jesus, you will have thousands of students. If you love realistically, you will have more kids than you can take care of.
2. Prizes. I have heard this has worked for others, which is pretty sweet. I have never been in a church with money, but I hear that it is pretty great.
1. First, and most importantly, get your kids to bring their friends! Students are the best evangelizers around because they do not have the idea of rejection and they love to have fun and be with friends. We prep our kids with a really complicated line they tend to be able to handle, "Do you want to come to church with me, it's really fun." Crazy, I know, but legit, it works!
Best luck and now, go and make disiciples of all the nations!
-Schutte
10. Hang out at their school. When you hunt a deer, you have to leave your house. When you go fishing, you have to be in the water. When you find new kids to share Christ to, you have to go to their natural habitat.
9. Hit up the kids who are going to your church, but are not involved. A lot of times, all kids need is an encouragement. I remember as a high school kid, I simply invited one girl who I used to know, but had not seen in a while. She ended up really reconnected with Jesus and the church and now, its all good in the hood like throwback and timbs.....
8. Hold an event specifically targeting new bodies in the door such as a battle of the bands or a movie night. If I hear one more youth pastor say, "Our revival will bring people from all over the world in," I will be forced to slap someone. The church needs to meet people in the middle at first.
7. Make youth group more enjoyable. I like Bible study as much as the next youth pastor, but for real, if it puts your leaders to sleep, odds are, your kids are passed out. Its O.K. to make church enjoyable, the higher ups will never know your kids had a good time.
6. Make youth group deeper. Opposite to number 7, I have to say my admiration of going deep. If a kid learns every lesson you teach in 3 weeks, you need to expand your cirriculum. My motto is "Do work!" and basically means go all out on everything. No one has ever said my youth program is not intense enough.
5. Champion mini-van parents. Everyone knows who I am talking about because if you do not know a peer who is one, as a kid, you rode with one. A mini-van parent is typically a mom who always has a full van full a kids, less than half her own. Build that relationship and encourage their bringing of new students.
4. Make all new students feel welcome. Sounds crazy simple, but there are a lot of crazy bad youth pastors out there.
3. Love the world. You show Christ through love, you will bring in new people to the faith. Jesus wasn't super popular at first because he offered salvation. He was followed by thousands because he loved. Therefore, if you love like Jesus, you will have thousands of students. If you love realistically, you will have more kids than you can take care of.
2. Prizes. I have heard this has worked for others, which is pretty sweet. I have never been in a church with money, but I hear that it is pretty great.
1. First, and most importantly, get your kids to bring their friends! Students are the best evangelizers around because they do not have the idea of rejection and they love to have fun and be with friends. We prep our kids with a really complicated line they tend to be able to handle, "Do you want to come to church with me, it's really fun." Crazy, I know, but legit, it works!
Best luck and now, go and make disiciples of all the nations!
-Schutte
Sunday, September 4, 2011
The Joy of Awesome Adult Volunteers
I'll be upfront with you: when kids come into my youth group, I am typically not the one they are most excited to see. Shocking, I know. But truth be told, I cannot reach every kid in the youth group. Heck, some nights, I don't talk to but about 10% of the kids there. I talk to new parents, deal with issues going on, and get stuff ready for the big show. My job is not to be the "Youth Guy", but instead to lead the student ministry team.
The other day, I got to see the fruit of my leadership. It started with me going to see one of my kids play football. His family was glad to see me there, but really, I was kind of quiet and on the outside looking in. Then, a middle school small group leader showed up and the brother of the kid playing's eyes lit up. He wasn't sad to see me, but he did not have a great relationship with me due to being on of a big number in my eyes. But his small group leader is awesome and is his friend, complete with a secret handshake, which I wasn't privy too. The kid walked right past me, sat with his leader and proceeded to talk the rest of the game.
As a leader, you are called to lead the macro, not the micro. If your good, your leaders will have a far better relationship with most of your students than you will. That isn't a fault of your own, but instead a sign that you've recruited good counselors. Hope and pray that you will be replaced in kid's eyes by those leaders and have joy when those relationship blossom.
-Schutte
The other day, I got to see the fruit of my leadership. It started with me going to see one of my kids play football. His family was glad to see me there, but really, I was kind of quiet and on the outside looking in. Then, a middle school small group leader showed up and the brother of the kid playing's eyes lit up. He wasn't sad to see me, but he did not have a great relationship with me due to being on of a big number in my eyes. But his small group leader is awesome and is his friend, complete with a secret handshake, which I wasn't privy too. The kid walked right past me, sat with his leader and proceeded to talk the rest of the game.
As a leader, you are called to lead the macro, not the micro. If your good, your leaders will have a far better relationship with most of your students than you will. That isn't a fault of your own, but instead a sign that you've recruited good counselors. Hope and pray that you will be replaced in kid's eyes by those leaders and have joy when those relationship blossom.
-Schutte
Monday, August 29, 2011
Be the Best
This is going to sound too aggressive and perhaps even unreasonable, but here it goes: Don't strive to be your best, strive to be the best. This goes for all things.
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
We are all going to have to look Jesus someday and I for one want to be told, "Well done" and that means working my best to do all important things well. This means striving to be the best at things that are important to you. Be the best husband, be the best father, be the best son, and be the best youth worker. If you fail at being the best, you still will find yourself being better than you ever thought you could be and would be if you ever settled.
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
We are all going to have to look Jesus someday and I for one want to be told, "Well done" and that means working my best to do all important things well. This means striving to be the best at things that are important to you. Be the best husband, be the best father, be the best son, and be the best youth worker. If you fail at being the best, you still will find yourself being better than you ever thought you could be and would be if you ever settled.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
The Importance of Good Volunteers
The most valuable earthly asset to any youth pastor are great adult leaders. If you are a youth pastor with only 5 kids within your totally isolated area, you do not need any one else to give you a hand. But in any other situation, you need to surround yourself with the most talented people you can.
What I hear most is complaints about how youth pastors cannot find good leaders. I hate hearing this. That just means you have not done a good job looking for leaders and turning over every rock until you have great ones all around. My best advice is to first listen to the Holy Spirit. I have found that great leaders are being led to help out by the Holy Spirit and all you have to do is prompt them and find a place where they will be used. Just remember to be slow to pull people in. It is infinitely easier to never ask a bad leader in than to get rid of a bad leader once they are there.
Good volunteers are a ministry multiplier. One person cannot do enough to really lead a group of students by themselves. However, if you have a team of awesome adult leaders, you can really get a lot of personal work done in the lives of your students. We recently had a retreat where we spend time after each service in personal prayer. We sent the leaders out to pray with the students and thanks to the quality leaders, every student had the opportunity to pray with an adult. That is true ministry at its finest.
In Him
-Schutte
What I hear most is complaints about how youth pastors cannot find good leaders. I hate hearing this. That just means you have not done a good job looking for leaders and turning over every rock until you have great ones all around. My best advice is to first listen to the Holy Spirit. I have found that great leaders are being led to help out by the Holy Spirit and all you have to do is prompt them and find a place where they will be used. Just remember to be slow to pull people in. It is infinitely easier to never ask a bad leader in than to get rid of a bad leader once they are there.
Good volunteers are a ministry multiplier. One person cannot do enough to really lead a group of students by themselves. However, if you have a team of awesome adult leaders, you can really get a lot of personal work done in the lives of your students. We recently had a retreat where we spend time after each service in personal prayer. We sent the leaders out to pray with the students and thanks to the quality leaders, every student had the opportunity to pray with an adult. That is true ministry at its finest.
In Him
-Schutte
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