Is your youth ministry network trusting God to do something special together that will bring hope to the youth in your community?
If so, I'm excited for you! Let me share with you a simple three-step process that a youth ministry network (our ministry partner, One Hope ) in South Florida has found helpful in moving from hopeful dreams to reality. The three steps are "Discover, Design, and Do." Let's unpack the first step in this process.
Take me to your leader
Before we go any further, let me make an important observation. We have found that every successful youth ministry network, partnership or endeavor requires a passionate, effective leader. The title isn't important, except to say that having someone who is respected by the group is critical.
Assess the needs of youth
First, take time to assess the needs of those you wish to minister to. It is so easy to overlook this step in the process. Many times, we have already decided what should be done and assume that we know what others are feeling or needing. Consequently, we can make an incorrect assumption and invest time and resources for activities that may not be meeting the actual needs of youth in our community.
A few years ago, several churches in the community of Pompano Beach, Florida agreed to work together to minister to youth and families in an extremely distressed neighborhood. Initially, the churches decided to start a program of providing medical care and tutors for the children. After a slow start, they decided to actually survey the people who lived in the community and see what they felt were their greatest needs. To the churches' surprise, the greatest expressed need was for role models for their children. As a result, this team of churches developed athletic programs in which the children could spend time with coaches who were positive role models. This was the open door for the gospel.
Also, you may find helpful information that has already been collected by local, state, or national agencies. Take time to discover what may be happening with the people that you desire to reach.
Assess your community's resources
Second, take time to assess your community assets. Who are the existing leaders? What facilities, groups, or programs already exist? If you take the time to look, you may find people with similar passions who are already present. The Lord may be leading you to come alongside and join forces with someone who is already ministering to your target group, but could use your encouragement, partnership and shared resources.
Put it into practice
Take a look at the Interactive below, and it will help guide you through the process of discovering the needs and resources for youth in your community. And contact us if you want a network coach to guide you through the process.
Be sure to read "Creating Your Action Plan-Design" (part 2) next.
Assessing the Needs of Youth
This "Interactive" is designed to stimulate prayer and brainstorming at the beginning or reorganization point of a network. It encourages you to see the big picture while identifying the mission field and God-given resources already in your area.
This tool can help youth workers see each middle school, junior high and high school campus in the context of its present and future reachability. It also provides a format to identify other groupings of youth that are not a part of a campus environment.
Community Overview
- What are the boundaries in your area/city that determine the distances youth workers would drive for a monthly network meeting or for cooperative efforts?
- How could you divide your community in to smaller sections?
- What are the needs of youth in the community?
School Ministry
- What secondary schools are in your area and what is the status of their campus ministries? List ministries and leaders.
- What systems are established or needed to equip teenagers in making disciples?
Community Ministry
- Where and in what groups do youth congregate outside of school boundaries?
- Who is already working to engage those teenagers?
Current Networking Status
- Brainstorm the names of individuals within your area who could benefit from networking. Who should be included in your strategy as it develops? (Consider other organizations and caring adults who work with youth such as: juvenile facilities, treatment centers, schools, sports, law enforcement, etc.)
- What issues or barriers would a ministry network need to overcome?
Vision for your Community
- What role and influence could (does) a local ministry network play in your area?
- What issues, needs and projects would benefit by the commitment of youth workers in a local network?