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
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
A Secular Song? At Church?
Try this, lead off worship with a secular song that everyone knows. Obviously Baby Got Back isn't a good choice, but a song that's safe and clean for the whole family. You will quickly see all your kids dropping their guard and getting into the music. So often, I find kids who have no real experience with worship who are looking for a way in. This is a way in.
-Schutte
-Schutte
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Work out of the overflow
We all have those days that we are feeling low, not up to spiritual par. Those are the days student ministry goes from a passion to a job for me. I try to avoid this at all cost. Most student pastors do not last more than 2 years and most of the time, it is because they are not doing things right, whether spiritually or work ethic wise. I cannot give much advise on work ethic, either you got it, or you don't. That's up to you. But spiritually I can give advice.
The best example I can give on this is to imagine someone filling a cup out of a pitcher. If you fill the cup up to the brim or anywhere short, and then you pour from the cup into other cups, you will be drained and not at peak position, position to give. However, if you go crazy with the pitcher and spill over everywhere, a lot of the liquid will go into the other cups and the rest will go out into the world all while the original cup will be filled up.
Work hard to keep yourself high above the filled level. Let God take the brunt of ministry for unlike a pitcher, he is infinite and does not really notice when you rely on him too much, if there is even such a thing. Keep yourself focused on your studies, on your fellowship in believers and your service and you will find that the spiritual valleys come further and further apart and when they do come, you will have a way to reach the mountain again.
The best example I can give on this is to imagine someone filling a cup out of a pitcher. If you fill the cup up to the brim or anywhere short, and then you pour from the cup into other cups, you will be drained and not at peak position, position to give. However, if you go crazy with the pitcher and spill over everywhere, a lot of the liquid will go into the other cups and the rest will go out into the world all while the original cup will be filled up.
Work hard to keep yourself high above the filled level. Let God take the brunt of ministry for unlike a pitcher, he is infinite and does not really notice when you rely on him too much, if there is even such a thing. Keep yourself focused on your studies, on your fellowship in believers and your service and you will find that the spiritual valleys come further and further apart and when they do come, you will have a way to reach the mountain again.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Why I hate lock-ins
Today kids were begging me to do a lock in. They peered into my soul with those big buggy eyes. Thankfully my heart is made of stone and I was able to say, "NOT TILL THE DAY THAT I AM DEAD ARE WE HAVING A LOCK-IN!" I have a flair for the dramatic. But truth be told, I think lock-ins are a bad idea and here is why:
The best way to make kids do the right thing is to make what they are doing something they want to do. Crazy, I know, but consider this. When I take kids to a theme park, I am super at ease that they are not going to get in much trouble. A kid who acts up a theme park misses out on going on the rides and will have a miserable day so there is motivation to be good.
Lock-ins always start fun and exciting, but then you tire and some of the kids will start finding new ways to entertain themselves. This is when trouble happens. I cannot tell you how many really bad stories I have heard that have started with, "We were having this lock-in..."
Basically, whatever you do, make it an environment where students want to be and you will avoid 99% of the potential behavior problems. If you can do this at a lock-in, you are a freak of student ministry.
The best way to make kids do the right thing is to make what they are doing something they want to do. Crazy, I know, but consider this. When I take kids to a theme park, I am super at ease that they are not going to get in much trouble. A kid who acts up a theme park misses out on going on the rides and will have a miserable day so there is motivation to be good.
Lock-ins always start fun and exciting, but then you tire and some of the kids will start finding new ways to entertain themselves. This is when trouble happens. I cannot tell you how many really bad stories I have heard that have started with, "We were having this lock-in..."
Basically, whatever you do, make it an environment where students want to be and you will avoid 99% of the potential behavior problems. If you can do this at a lock-in, you are a freak of student ministry.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
The Joy of Unplugged Worship
My church knows how to worship. They bring it on the big services. The youth band brings it. They are on par with anyone out there. That being said, there are nights we go unplugged with just one singer with no mic for the sole purpose of finding the heart of worship.
I am not one to tell others how it is to be done, but I will say when something is stupid. Here is stupid: I used to live outside a YoungLife camp, which is in no way stupid, but instead is awesome. At this camp, a retreat group came one winter and set up shop. The worship "experience" they had was a famous Christian recording artist and instead of just projecting the words up and letting nature be the background, they set up LCD TV's that covered a giant wall behind the band that just played ridiculous videos. I am not 100% sure, but I don't think Jesus would worship like that.
My best worship in my life happened at a camp I used to work at. 400 kids, adults and special needs campers crammed into an 80 year old building worshiping to an unplugged guitar. Jesus, I feel, would worship like that. God was there and he was easy to see because I was not distracted by all the things of the world.
While I am all for awesome big worship, I am also a fan of simple worship. A moment when it is me and Jesus. That is where awesome worship is.
I am not one to tell others how it is to be done, but I will say when something is stupid. Here is stupid: I used to live outside a YoungLife camp, which is in no way stupid, but instead is awesome. At this camp, a retreat group came one winter and set up shop. The worship "experience" they had was a famous Christian recording artist and instead of just projecting the words up and letting nature be the background, they set up LCD TV's that covered a giant wall behind the band that just played ridiculous videos. I am not 100% sure, but I don't think Jesus would worship like that.
My best worship in my life happened at a camp I used to work at. 400 kids, adults and special needs campers crammed into an 80 year old building worshiping to an unplugged guitar. Jesus, I feel, would worship like that. God was there and he was easy to see because I was not distracted by all the things of the world.
While I am all for awesome big worship, I am also a fan of simple worship. A moment when it is me and Jesus. That is where awesome worship is.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Time to care about time!
Imagine you're 16 and your parents gave you the keys to the car for the night for a date. Then imagine you take that super important thing of theirs and just trashed it. Leave wrappers in it, get it super dirty, tear the carpet and even dent it. Your parents would be super mad and would never trust you with the car again.
Now imagine your are a student pastor who takes something even more important from a parent and treats it even worse. When you are in charge of a student, you are in charge of the most important thing in the world to a parent. When you do not take that responsibility seriously, you will lose that privilege.
So often I see youth pastors who are not doing what they are supposed to be doing with kids, not being 100% over the top safe, and my personal pet peeve, not being where they need to be with those kids. As a kid, I had a youth pastor who was always late. My parents never thought of him as someone who was responsible, not matter what he did for me and my sister. In their eyes, his lack of responsibilty for us resulted in him going from a solid student pastor in their eyes, to someone they did not want to trust their kids with. Do not lose kids for Christ because you cannot handle a bit of responsibility.
-Schutte
Now imagine your are a student pastor who takes something even more important from a parent and treats it even worse. When you are in charge of a student, you are in charge of the most important thing in the world to a parent. When you do not take that responsibility seriously, you will lose that privilege.
So often I see youth pastors who are not doing what they are supposed to be doing with kids, not being 100% over the top safe, and my personal pet peeve, not being where they need to be with those kids. As a kid, I had a youth pastor who was always late. My parents never thought of him as someone who was responsible, not matter what he did for me and my sister. In their eyes, his lack of responsibilty for us resulted in him going from a solid student pastor in their eyes, to someone they did not want to trust their kids with. Do not lose kids for Christ because you cannot handle a bit of responsibility.
-Schutte
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Thunderheads and the Best Part of Student Ministry
I live in Florida which is very different than my previous home in the north Georgia mountains. In the mountains, you get stunning views everyday. I remember in my old town when you crested over main street, you could see a huge stunning range of mountains. The view was just as beautiful when I left as it was when I came. Florida does not have this. But soon a friend told me look at the thunderheads and you will see the beauty of this place.
Thunderheads you see, are giant storm clouds that go thousands of feet in the sky. They are all unique and special and are only around for a couple of minutes before they disperse. The best part is that they are beautiful.
What keeps me in student ministry is that all kids are unique and beautiful. On top of this, they are not a permanent fixture. They stay for a few years and then go out into the world. Old kids who you never think can be replaced leave and new kids who blow you away come in and joy is felt by the person who is steady watching kids come and go.
-Schutte
Thunderheads you see, are giant storm clouds that go thousands of feet in the sky. They are all unique and special and are only around for a couple of minutes before they disperse. The best part is that they are beautiful.
What keeps me in student ministry is that all kids are unique and beautiful. On top of this, they are not a permanent fixture. They stay for a few years and then go out into the world. Old kids who you never think can be replaced leave and new kids who blow you away come in and joy is felt by the person who is steady watching kids come and go.
-Schutte
Thursday, June 30, 2011
5 Adult Volunteer Strategies
This is going to sound crazy, but in order to have great students, you must have great adults. The more students that are in your ministry, the more true this really is. So here are 5 ideas that you can take or leave in terms of dealing with adults:
1. Make sure that everyone feels like they are needed. No one wants to show up for 2 hours and do nothing. That is not fun or useful. Imagine going to an ice-cream shop and being told just to look at people who are eating giant chocolate covered cones of cookies and cream. Ministry is so much better than that and looking from the inside and not being able to partake is too much for most people to handle. So instead, divide and delagate as much as possible. If someone cannot do something, they will tell you. What people tend not to tell you is that they are not happy because they are not doing anything significant.
2. Be super careful about who you invite to help out with your students. It is 100 x's easier not to ask someone to never come than it is to ask someone to leave. So before you ask someone to help out, get to know them and their heart. Then invite them to have a "check us out" period to see if it will be a good match. If it is a good match, you will be gravy, if not, there is no pressure for them to stick and from your prospective, it is easier if you have to say, "its just not working out" if they have not been helping for too long. Once a leader becomes deeply plugged in, its like pulling teeth to get them out.
3. Everyone has different skills, find what people are best at and put them there. Not everyone will be great at leading small group or playing up front games, but God has a purpose for everyone he puts in your ministry. Find that purpose and use them there. Success makes people happy and excited.
4. Let your leaders be a part of planning. I have not had a good idea for 3 and a half years now, but I do have the ability to leach ideas of my leaders. If you let those leaders who know students and the new ones with fresh ideas contribute, you will get better, more diverse ideas. A great side benefit is that your leaders are more apt to be behind an idea they came up with!
5. Frog Kiss your leaders. Leaders need a lot of love and frog kissing (little remarks of kindness) is a good way to show it. They sacrifice a couple hours a week to be a part of a ministry that requires them to get dirty, hand out with people who only speak in sarcasm, and sleep with one eye open on retreats. So show them some love. Be sure that when good things happen, you first credit your leaders even if your leaders are not there to accept the credit. Also, point out what they do well. It will make them more aware of what their strengths are and will allow them to focus on those!
In him,
-Schutte
1. Make sure that everyone feels like they are needed. No one wants to show up for 2 hours and do nothing. That is not fun or useful. Imagine going to an ice-cream shop and being told just to look at people who are eating giant chocolate covered cones of cookies and cream. Ministry is so much better than that and looking from the inside and not being able to partake is too much for most people to handle. So instead, divide and delagate as much as possible. If someone cannot do something, they will tell you. What people tend not to tell you is that they are not happy because they are not doing anything significant.
2. Be super careful about who you invite to help out with your students. It is 100 x's easier not to ask someone to never come than it is to ask someone to leave. So before you ask someone to help out, get to know them and their heart. Then invite them to have a "check us out" period to see if it will be a good match. If it is a good match, you will be gravy, if not, there is no pressure for them to stick and from your prospective, it is easier if you have to say, "its just not working out" if they have not been helping for too long. Once a leader becomes deeply plugged in, its like pulling teeth to get them out.
3. Everyone has different skills, find what people are best at and put them there. Not everyone will be great at leading small group or playing up front games, but God has a purpose for everyone he puts in your ministry. Find that purpose and use them there. Success makes people happy and excited.
4. Let your leaders be a part of planning. I have not had a good idea for 3 and a half years now, but I do have the ability to leach ideas of my leaders. If you let those leaders who know students and the new ones with fresh ideas contribute, you will get better, more diverse ideas. A great side benefit is that your leaders are more apt to be behind an idea they came up with!
5. Frog Kiss your leaders. Leaders need a lot of love and frog kissing (little remarks of kindness) is a good way to show it. They sacrifice a couple hours a week to be a part of a ministry that requires them to get dirty, hand out with people who only speak in sarcasm, and sleep with one eye open on retreats. So show them some love. Be sure that when good things happen, you first credit your leaders even if your leaders are not there to accept the credit. Also, point out what they do well. It will make them more aware of what their strengths are and will allow them to focus on those!
In him,
-Schutte
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Tradition Versus New Events
Before I had left my old church, every big event was planned out. We went to the same retreats and did the same types of missions. Every winter, we even had a Waffle House night where we took over a Waffle House and had a giant party. Tradition is great in a lot of ways, but it can also lead to a rut. So let's look at the Good versus the Bad to sticking with a youth group tradition.
The Good:
If it is a good event, you will have more kids every year you participate in the event. Kids are the best evangelizers and if they think something is fun, they will make sure their friends will come.
You will know what you are doing. The first time I do anything, I allow an extra hour of time and double and triple check that I have done everything right. By the time I have done the event 4 or 5 times, I allow only an extra 50 minutes but go knowing how I screwed up in the past!
If it ain't broken, don't fix it. You run the risk of doing something far worse. The grass is not always greener on the other side.
To the younger kids, everything is new. A little naivete goes a long way.
The Bad:
If it did not work the first time, odds are it will not work the second-millionth time. Only a fool throws his bait were there are no fish.
It kills creativity. There are so many good ideas yet to be discovered that you are almost certainly missing out on doing something better.
Certain things become "old" as opposed to "Classic". There are only so many foot washings you can do before it becomes a thing you do over a life changing event.
Find the balance. We had one retreat we did the third weekend of March every year and it was a real highlight for all the kids. We had a service retreat that was not working and we rearranged it in our calendar so more kids could participate and it became huge. We had a mission trip that bombed and we never tried that particular mission project again. There is always a good and a bad. Just try to find the balance of old and new that will allow you to succeed and then allow at least 45 minutes of extra time!
-Schutte
The Good:
If it is a good event, you will have more kids every year you participate in the event. Kids are the best evangelizers and if they think something is fun, they will make sure their friends will come.
You will know what you are doing. The first time I do anything, I allow an extra hour of time and double and triple check that I have done everything right. By the time I have done the event 4 or 5 times, I allow only an extra 50 minutes but go knowing how I screwed up in the past!
If it ain't broken, don't fix it. You run the risk of doing something far worse. The grass is not always greener on the other side.
To the younger kids, everything is new. A little naivete goes a long way.
The Bad:
If it did not work the first time, odds are it will not work the second-millionth time. Only a fool throws his bait were there are no fish.
It kills creativity. There are so many good ideas yet to be discovered that you are almost certainly missing out on doing something better.
Certain things become "old" as opposed to "Classic". There are only so many foot washings you can do before it becomes a thing you do over a life changing event.
Find the balance. We had one retreat we did the third weekend of March every year and it was a real highlight for all the kids. We had a service retreat that was not working and we rearranged it in our calendar so more kids could participate and it became huge. We had a mission trip that bombed and we never tried that particular mission project again. There is always a good and a bad. Just try to find the balance of old and new that will allow you to succeed and then allow at least 45 minutes of extra time!
-Schutte
Saturday, June 25, 2011
The Idea of this blog/forum
So I am not an student ministry expert. I do not speak at major conferences or write books. In fact, I believe anyone who claims to be an expert in student ministry is someone that has had success doing things their way, but is in no way an expert in the general field. Good student ministry is an art. There is no right way to do it, just ways that you can have success. One good ministry will not look exactly like any other ministry.
That being said, I feel that I do have some good ideas on student ministry that I would love to share. That is why this is being created. Truth be told, I was looking at starting a student ministry forum, but I feel that forums often turn into a place of whining and showboating and neither of those things help anyone. So this is designed to be a controlled forum of sorts. If you have a good idea, e-mail me at DavidESchutte@gmail.com and I will read it and if it makes sense, I'll post it even if I disagree. I am not the my way or the highway kind of guy. I am someone who is in need of you to really make this blog idea work so please, please, PLEASE share this site and be active, write and bookmark this page so you can easily look for updates. I will do my best to give you something to learn in each and every post.
-Schutte
That being said, I feel that I do have some good ideas on student ministry that I would love to share. That is why this is being created. Truth be told, I was looking at starting a student ministry forum, but I feel that forums often turn into a place of whining and showboating and neither of those things help anyone. So this is designed to be a controlled forum of sorts. If you have a good idea, e-mail me at DavidESchutte@gmail.com and I will read it and if it makes sense, I'll post it even if I disagree. I am not the my way or the highway kind of guy. I am someone who is in need of you to really make this blog idea work so please, please, PLEASE share this site and be active, write and bookmark this page so you can easily look for updates. I will do my best to give you something to learn in each and every post.
-Schutte
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Doing things with excellance (get the joke?)
I have a motto, "Do things with excellence," which I had to make because as a student pastor, I used to use the expression, "Do things leisurely." Here is the thing about student ministry: you can get away doing things leisurely, especially when its only part of your ministry that you are slacking on. I've seen youth workers show up late, leave vans trashed, and open their Bibles only once a week when they lead senior high study. Heck, I think at some point of my career, I've done all those things and yet my career has worked out well for me.
So who is to stop this behavior? Most of the time its not the senior pastor. I've been blessed to have great senior pastors so far in my life, but none of them for better or worse have been hands on in my ministry (which for me tends to be better). The committees of the church never chew me out for what I have done wrong except that time I knocked a 3 foot hole in the drywall by accident (throwing a kid through the wall is an accident, right?). No there is only one person who can really police your work ethic and your sitting in them (think about that sentence for a second!).
I keep a note that says, "Don't be lazy" and every time there is a chance to take a shortcut, I see it and act on it. It is pathetic that I have to make a sign that says that, but it really helps. Besides, doing youth ministry, you will do more pathetic things (i.e. wonder if you can sit at the cool kids table, eat live animals, or wonder if you can patch a 3 ft hole in the wall with duct tape, a bucket of paint and poster board). What I really like is when I pick up trash in the church parking lot, I can to myself, "Do things with excellence" and I feel suddenly awesome at my job.
The other group to hold you accountable as a secondary source are your leaders in your ministry. They can only see the result, but keep them posted and share your struggles. If all student ministers got the memo on excellence, we would have thriving churches all over the world. Or at least churches without holes in the wall.
-Schutte
So who is to stop this behavior? Most of the time its not the senior pastor. I've been blessed to have great senior pastors so far in my life, but none of them for better or worse have been hands on in my ministry (which for me tends to be better). The committees of the church never chew me out for what I have done wrong except that time I knocked a 3 foot hole in the drywall by accident (throwing a kid through the wall is an accident, right?). No there is only one person who can really police your work ethic and your sitting in them (think about that sentence for a second!).
I keep a note that says, "Don't be lazy" and every time there is a chance to take a shortcut, I see it and act on it. It is pathetic that I have to make a sign that says that, but it really helps. Besides, doing youth ministry, you will do more pathetic things (i.e. wonder if you can sit at the cool kids table, eat live animals, or wonder if you can patch a 3 ft hole in the wall with duct tape, a bucket of paint and poster board). What I really like is when I pick up trash in the church parking lot, I can to myself, "Do things with excellence" and I feel suddenly awesome at my job.
The other group to hold you accountable as a secondary source are your leaders in your ministry. They can only see the result, but keep them posted and share your struggles. If all student ministers got the memo on excellence, we would have thriving churches all over the world. Or at least churches without holes in the wall.
-Schutte
Monday, June 20, 2011
10 Rules to Facebook
Facebook is one of the greatest tools out there for student ministry. It is easy, fast, and there is 0 liability in that everything you say in kept in record! That being said, there are a few things that you can do to really get a positive ministry out of facebook so here it is in list form:
10. Stay positive. I used to work at a camp where we did frog kissing. Frog kisses were just little one sentence pieces of joy that we would give to kids. A great example of this is, "You cracked me up today when you made the joke about gravy. I love seeing that side of you!" It's really enthusiastic and helpful.
9. Don't be their parent. You are not responsible for what a kid does and does not post. If they have a post that is not safe, blatantly dangerous, or hateful, go to the kid's parent. If it is something you just do not like, keep your mouth shut. It is not your responsibility to raise kids who are not your own.
8. Never poke a kid. Its kind of creepy. Also, its a good way to start a poke war that will only end when one you dies.
7. The exemption to rule 9 is when I see a student I know well trash another kid on facebook. For me, I always give the same response. I send a private message saying, "I do not want to criticize you but your post sounds more like a momentary passion than something you should broadcast out. What goes out on the net stays out forever and I know from my personal mistakes this is something you probably do not want to put out into the world." Never call a kid out in public and always share your mistakes when you try to guide them with theirs. Humility goes a long way with students.
6. Exclamation marks are your friend!!!! They make you seem happy and enthused. Around half my sentences on facebook in with exclamation marks, though in my defense, when I speak, 2/3 of my sentences have exclamation marks.
5. Keep your student group invite only and hide as much info as possible. No one needs to see your membership and/or your pictures. Nothing but bad will come out of lackluster cybersecurity. Also, parents will think you are really on the ball with the 21st century even if you still use AIM.
4. Post lots of pics! Kids love pictures and they only take about 20 minutes to upload 100 of them. Its totally worth the effort and it shows kids who skipped out that what you are doing is really fun and exciting (unless you do lame stuff in which case, why are we talking about facebook when there is friendster and myspace?).
3. Keep your facebook profile clean. I would think I wouldn't have to say this to student ministers, but half my friends in student ministry have something on their profile that makes me really mad. You do not need to flaunt to your students that you drink, or curse, or animal sacrifice, or practice nudism. Common sense guidelines are good on that one.
2. Be active. Kids expect instant response. Its ok if you are not instant, but do not check your facebook just once a week. Its the new e-mail.
1. Kick yourself everyday that you did not think of facebook first. I mean its just a phone book on the computer and Zuckerburg made billions. How unfair is that?
Now go and get online!
-Schutte
10. Stay positive. I used to work at a camp where we did frog kissing. Frog kisses were just little one sentence pieces of joy that we would give to kids. A great example of this is, "You cracked me up today when you made the joke about gravy. I love seeing that side of you!" It's really enthusiastic and helpful.
9. Don't be their parent. You are not responsible for what a kid does and does not post. If they have a post that is not safe, blatantly dangerous, or hateful, go to the kid's parent. If it is something you just do not like, keep your mouth shut. It is not your responsibility to raise kids who are not your own.
8. Never poke a kid. Its kind of creepy. Also, its a good way to start a poke war that will only end when one you dies.
7. The exemption to rule 9 is when I see a student I know well trash another kid on facebook. For me, I always give the same response. I send a private message saying, "I do not want to criticize you but your post sounds more like a momentary passion than something you should broadcast out. What goes out on the net stays out forever and I know from my personal mistakes this is something you probably do not want to put out into the world." Never call a kid out in public and always share your mistakes when you try to guide them with theirs. Humility goes a long way with students.
6. Exclamation marks are your friend!!!! They make you seem happy and enthused. Around half my sentences on facebook in with exclamation marks, though in my defense, when I speak, 2/3 of my sentences have exclamation marks.
5. Keep your student group invite only and hide as much info as possible. No one needs to see your membership and/or your pictures. Nothing but bad will come out of lackluster cybersecurity. Also, parents will think you are really on the ball with the 21st century even if you still use AIM.
4. Post lots of pics! Kids love pictures and they only take about 20 minutes to upload 100 of them. Its totally worth the effort and it shows kids who skipped out that what you are doing is really fun and exciting (unless you do lame stuff in which case, why are we talking about facebook when there is friendster and myspace?).
3. Keep your facebook profile clean. I would think I wouldn't have to say this to student ministers, but half my friends in student ministry have something on their profile that makes me really mad. You do not need to flaunt to your students that you drink, or curse, or animal sacrifice, or practice nudism. Common sense guidelines are good on that one.
2. Be active. Kids expect instant response. Its ok if you are not instant, but do not check your facebook just once a week. Its the new e-mail.
1. Kick yourself everyday that you did not think of facebook first. I mean its just a phone book on the computer and Zuckerburg made billions. How unfair is that?
Now go and get online!
-Schutte
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Relational Ministry
I have some heart breaking news. Church will never be as much fun as the xBox is. Sorry to be the one to break that to you, but it is a solid fact of life. If you were to ask most kids what they wanted to do, it would be rare that you would find a kid who will say, "Hang out at the church." So how is that we get kids into the church?
From my experience, only one thing gets kids who are not in the church into the church: relationships. Humans are social creatures and being such, we long to do what people we like and respect do. Going to church is one of these things.
One of the ways we use relationship is using kids to bring their friends. When a kid says to his friends, "Do you want to go to 6 flags with me and my church. We'll meet up at the church, take church vans, pray before we go, and represent Christ," all the friend hears is "Do you want to go to 6 flags BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH," (that is a scientific fact, there have been papers and stuff on it). The best recruiters out there are your own kids. Make sure you foster a welcoming environment.
The other type of relationship is the adult student relationship. This should be the relationship where your kids get most of their spiritual growth. Think back to your youth pastor/leader as a kid. (S)he was someone who was always willing to facebooked/aimed/e-mailed/snail mailed/currier pigeoned you anytime you needed to talk. Someone who would always hang out. Someone you respected and liked. Aim to mimic that.
Building those relationships is tough. In my opinion, it means first chasing after a kid. I've always believed that all great student pastors are secretly good creepers (well no, not really, and please don't quote that). Be willing to go to the schools to have lunches, go to sporting events, visit kids at work, call and text them and add them on facebook. Obviously do not push yourself on a kid to the point you could even remotely be considered creeping, but put yourself in their environment. I knew one YoungLife guy who was not allowed to eat lunch at the schools so he instead sit in the high school parking lot at the end of the day when it let out just to get facetime with students. It is unfair to expect a kid to come to church when you have yet to visit them in their environment.
Step two is persist. Do not give up on a kid. Not all kids will become the next Billy Graham or even want to consider a relationship with Christ even if you do everything right, but do not get up on them. One of my favorite memories was a kid who I knew at an old job who I knew for years and who I could not get to step foot in the church despite her family being super invovled. When I left, she came to my going away party and told me that I meant a lot in her life and with her faith in God. I cried like I do when I watch Titanic. That was ministry, even if there was not an ounce of getting plugged in with it.
Lastly, do what you can to get the kid plugged in. Not all kids are going to be youth group or bible study kids. That is ok. Find a ministry that they can get plugged into and be humble if its not yours or even at your church. One of the hardest things I ever have to deal with is when a major church parent comes into my office and says, "My kid wants to go to another church where they have a lot of friends." As a youth pastor, I want all the kids who's families are in the church to be involved in the youth group, but sometimes God has a way of saying, "It is not about what's best for you, its what is best for the child." You need to be at the point where you are comfortable saying "come to our programs" or "go to these programs at another church, I think they would fit you better" depending on the situation. Before you know it, other youth pastors will be pushing kids your way when they feel it is best and all will even out.
Relationships are 90% of student ministry in my opinion. Consciously work on them. New Christians are earned, not found.
God Bless,
Schutte
From my experience, only one thing gets kids who are not in the church into the church: relationships. Humans are social creatures and being such, we long to do what people we like and respect do. Going to church is one of these things.
One of the ways we use relationship is using kids to bring their friends. When a kid says to his friends, "Do you want to go to 6 flags with me and my church. We'll meet up at the church, take church vans, pray before we go, and represent Christ," all the friend hears is "Do you want to go to 6 flags BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH," (that is a scientific fact, there have been papers and stuff on it). The best recruiters out there are your own kids. Make sure you foster a welcoming environment.
The other type of relationship is the adult student relationship. This should be the relationship where your kids get most of their spiritual growth. Think back to your youth pastor/leader as a kid. (S)he was someone who was always willing to facebooked/aimed/e-mailed/snail mailed/currier pigeoned you anytime you needed to talk. Someone who would always hang out. Someone you respected and liked. Aim to mimic that.
Building those relationships is tough. In my opinion, it means first chasing after a kid. I've always believed that all great student pastors are secretly good creepers (well no, not really, and please don't quote that). Be willing to go to the schools to have lunches, go to sporting events, visit kids at work, call and text them and add them on facebook. Obviously do not push yourself on a kid to the point you could even remotely be considered creeping, but put yourself in their environment. I knew one YoungLife guy who was not allowed to eat lunch at the schools so he instead sit in the high school parking lot at the end of the day when it let out just to get facetime with students. It is unfair to expect a kid to come to church when you have yet to visit them in their environment.
Step two is persist. Do not give up on a kid. Not all kids will become the next Billy Graham or even want to consider a relationship with Christ even if you do everything right, but do not get up on them. One of my favorite memories was a kid who I knew at an old job who I knew for years and who I could not get to step foot in the church despite her family being super invovled. When I left, she came to my going away party and told me that I meant a lot in her life and with her faith in God. I cried like I do when I watch Titanic. That was ministry, even if there was not an ounce of getting plugged in with it.
Lastly, do what you can to get the kid plugged in. Not all kids are going to be youth group or bible study kids. That is ok. Find a ministry that they can get plugged into and be humble if its not yours or even at your church. One of the hardest things I ever have to deal with is when a major church parent comes into my office and says, "My kid wants to go to another church where they have a lot of friends." As a youth pastor, I want all the kids who's families are in the church to be involved in the youth group, but sometimes God has a way of saying, "It is not about what's best for you, its what is best for the child." You need to be at the point where you are comfortable saying "come to our programs" or "go to these programs at another church, I think they would fit you better" depending on the situation. Before you know it, other youth pastors will be pushing kids your way when they feel it is best and all will even out.
Relationships are 90% of student ministry in my opinion. Consciously work on them. New Christians are earned, not found.
God Bless,
Schutte
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
The Problem of Numbers
Let's talk about 'That Guy'. 'That Guy' is the guy who does all those cliche things that make the normal person go crazy. Any youth pastor out there knows a 'That Guy' and if you catch yourself saying, "I don't know a 'That Guy'", you are one. Sorry to break that news.
One of my favorite quotes that you will hear from 'That Guy' is the following question: "How many kids you got?"
I hate that question, I really do.
There is something difficult about the numbers game because it is an important question. Acts 1:15 starts with, "During this time, when about 120 believers were together in one place..." and later says, in 1:41 "Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day-about 3,000 in all." Luke, the author of Acts, was obviously into giving the numbers of the church.
So what is the difference between Luke and 'That Guy'?
My mentor put it to me best, "Numbers, while not the most important thing, are a sign of health." The number of students who go to your church is a piece of internal information that you can use with your team and your pastor to judge if you are healthy and growing.
This being said, I feel they are a test, not an outcome. Your outcome is whether you produce lifelong Christians out in the world. Obviously if you do not have any numbers, you are failing the test, but if you are not producing strong Christians, your whole ministry is failing.
With all this being said, there is not set number that every church should aim for. I've heard it said that you should have 8-10% of your Sunday congregation at your main weekly program. This might work for a few churches, but it isn't good enough to be used as a rule of thumb. I've seen churches that are young that should be doing 20% and I have seen older churches where I live in Florida where the average congregant walked with Jesus on this earth that should aim for 5%. Look at the congregation you are at and judge from there. And remember, its only a test, if all else, Christmas tree it!
One of my favorite quotes that you will hear from 'That Guy' is the following question: "How many kids you got?"
I hate that question, I really do.
There is something difficult about the numbers game because it is an important question. Acts 1:15 starts with, "During this time, when about 120 believers were together in one place..." and later says, in 1:41 "Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day-about 3,000 in all." Luke, the author of Acts, was obviously into giving the numbers of the church.
So what is the difference between Luke and 'That Guy'?
My mentor put it to me best, "Numbers, while not the most important thing, are a sign of health." The number of students who go to your church is a piece of internal information that you can use with your team and your pastor to judge if you are healthy and growing.
This being said, I feel they are a test, not an outcome. Your outcome is whether you produce lifelong Christians out in the world. Obviously if you do not have any numbers, you are failing the test, but if you are not producing strong Christians, your whole ministry is failing.
With all this being said, there is not set number that every church should aim for. I've heard it said that you should have 8-10% of your Sunday congregation at your main weekly program. This might work for a few churches, but it isn't good enough to be used as a rule of thumb. I've seen churches that are young that should be doing 20% and I have seen older churches where I live in Florida where the average congregant walked with Jesus on this earth that should aim for 5%. Look at the congregation you are at and judge from there. And remember, its only a test, if all else, Christmas tree it!
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Entry # 1 : Why Start A Student Ministry Blog
Why start a student ministry blog? That is the million dollar question. I literally have a million dollars in cash in my office right next to me right now I will give away to the person who can answer that.
I guess for me it is that I have been doing this student ministry thing for a few years now, 3 in camp ministry, 1 at a mega-church, 4 at a small country church and now I am at a large contemporary church each with benefits and drawbacks. At this point, I feel like I have been around the block. I want is to share some ideas and things that have worked for me in the past and probably more importantly, some goof-ups that have held me back. There will also be some guest bloggers and if you want to put something up on this page, let me know; knowledge is power.
Please follow and comment with your opinions, even if your opinion is one that is different than mine or the posters. Keep it from being personal and more importantly, keep it from being dumb!
God Bless,
Schutte
Galatians 4:5 "God sent Him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children."
I guess for me it is that I have been doing this student ministry thing for a few years now, 3 in camp ministry, 1 at a mega-church, 4 at a small country church and now I am at a large contemporary church each with benefits and drawbacks. At this point, I feel like I have been around the block. I want is to share some ideas and things that have worked for me in the past and probably more importantly, some goof-ups that have held me back. There will also be some guest bloggers and if you want to put something up on this page, let me know; knowledge is power.
Please follow and comment with your opinions, even if your opinion is one that is different than mine or the posters. Keep it from being personal and more importantly, keep it from being dumb!
God Bless,
Schutte
Galatians 4:5 "God sent Him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children."
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