Youth Ministry Archives | Think Orange https://thinkorange.com/blog/life-stage/youth-ministry/ We create curriculum, resources, and training to help every ministry leader reimagine what their church does for kids and teenagers. Tue, 28 Jan 2025 18:26:10 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://thinkorange.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/cropped-OrangeLogo-300x75-1-32x32.png Youth Ministry Archives | Think Orange https://thinkorange.com/blog/life-stage/youth-ministry/ 32 32 Rethinking Marketing and Execution in Youth Ministry: Building Meaningful Events https://thinkorange.com/blog/rethinking-marketing-and-execution-in-youth-ministry-building-meaningful-events/ Thu, 06 Feb 2025 12:00:00 +0000 https://thinkorange.com/?p=52258 In youth ministry, events are more than just activities on a calendar. They’re powerful tools for connection, discipleship, and outreach. Yet, as times and culture shift, it’s essential to rethink how we market and execute these gatherings. In a recent episode of the Rethinking Youth Ministry podcast we explore what it looks like to design […]

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In youth ministry, events are more than just activities on a calendar. They’re powerful tools for connection, discipleship, and outreach. Yet, as times and culture shift, it’s essential to rethink how we market and execute these gatherings. In a recent episode of the Rethinking Youth Ministry podcast we explore what it looks like to design and deliver impactful youth ministry events. Their insights were both inspiring and practical, giving us a roadmap to create experiences that matter.


The Power of Events in Youth Ministry

Events hold a unique place in the rhythm of youth ministry. They offer moments for students to step away from their everyday lives and into environments where they can encounter community, fun, and faith in a fresh way. As Ayubu shared on the podcast, his church hosted a church-wide event to raise $15,000 for malaria nets. It wasn’t just a youth ministry event—it included every generation in the church. From walk-up music for the ministry teams to meaningful connections forged across age groups, it became an unforgettable experience.

Similarly, Sarah described an event called “Glow Turn” that transformed her church into a black-lit playground complete with laser tag and a glow-up station. These outreach events drew students who had never set foot in a church, creating opportunities to connect them to a faith community. “Sometimes,” she noted, “you need those extra hooks in the water—a different format or layout—that can help engage students who wouldn’t come otherwise.”

Chris reminded us that events create spaces for relationships to grow. One of his favorite memories involved a senior trip with a group of boys from an apartment complex he had been mentoring. For many of them, it was the first time they experienced “true brotherly love.” Events like these move beyond entertainment—they create environments for transformation.


Why Events Still Matter

Despite how busy students’ lives are, events continue to serve as crucial entry points for engagement. Here’s why:

  1. Creating Unforgettable Experiences
    Shane shared about an event at his former church in Arizona called “Best Weekend Ever.” From tethered hot air balloon rides to slip-and-slides, the event aimed to deliver on its name while tying unforgettable memories to the local church. These experiences stick with students, helping them associate the church with joy, community, and belonging.
  2. Building Relationships in Unique Settings
    Ayubu’s senior trip highlighted the importance of taking students out of their usual environments. Whether it’s a cabin retreat or a church lock-in, events create opportunities for students to experience community in deeper ways.
  3. Engaging the Unchurched
    For many students, events are their first exposure to the church. Sarah described how her U-Turn events brought in kids who had never heard about Jesus before. These moments become “hooks in the water,” drawing in students who might not otherwise attend a traditional service.

Strategies for Marketing and Executing Events

Planning and executing youth ministry events can feel overwhelming, but with the right strategies, you can create something both meaningful and manageable. Here are some practical takeaways from the podcast:

1. Know Your Students

Sarah emphasized the importance of knowing your audience. Every event should be planned with all students in mind—especially those on the margins. For example, when organizing a camp, consider everything from cabin placements to recreational activities. Ensure there’s something for every student, not just the outgoing or sporty ones.

2. Involve Students in Planning

Chris shared a game-changing strategy: engaging students in the creative process. Hosting brainstorming sessions with sticky notes, snacks, and a vision for the event empowers students to contribute their ideas. Not only does this make the event more appealing to their peers, but it also gives them a sense of ownership. “The greatest billboard for any event is an excited and engaged student,” Chris said.

3. Plan for Belonging

Events should be approachable for all students. Sarah shared her approach to planning camps with intentionality, making sure the “furthest out” kid feels seen and included. Whether it’s through the way leaders engage or how activities are structured, the goal is to ensure every student feels like they belong.

4. Market Creatively

When it comes to marketing events, photos, videos, and testimonies from past events can be powerful tools. Shane highlighted how sharing images from past experiences—like students enjoying tethered hot air balloon rides—can spark excitement and curiosity. Utilize social media, student-led promotion, and personal invitations to spread the word.

5. Execute with Excellence

Planning great events requires attention to detail, collaboration, and adaptability. Chris advised against planning in isolation. Involving a team, whether students, leaders, or church staff, ensures every aspect is covered and executed well.

6. Follow Up with Intentionality

The event itself isn’t the finish line. What happens after the event matters just as much. Use follow-ups to connect students to small groups, mentorship opportunities, or regular youth ministry gatherings.


Final Thoughts

Events in youth ministry are more than just activities—they’re catalysts for connection, transformation, and growth. Whether you’re planning a glow-in-the-dark outreach night, a senior retreat, or a church-wide fundraiser, the goal is the same: to create spaces where students encounter God, community, and unforgettable moments.

As Sarah reminded us, “It’s not just about the talk on stage. It’s in the way we treat students and the way we plan for them.” By rethinking our approach to marketing and execution, we can continue to create events that matter and make a lasting impact.

What’s your next big event? How are you rethinking the way you plan and execute it? Let’s continue the conversation in the comments below!

Listen to the full episode, Rethinking If Events Still Matter in Youth Ministry, here.

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Faith at Their Fingertips: Helping Students Use YouVersion to Build Everyday Faith https://thinkorange.com/blog/faith-at-their-fingertips-helping-students-use-youversion-to-build-everyday-faith/ Mon, 03 Feb 2025 12:00:00 +0000 https://thinkorange.com/?p=52255 How often do you think about the fact that we can carry the Bible around in our pockets? Crazy, right? If you have the Bible app on your phone, this is your reality. Or maybe you’re old-school and carry a pocket-sized paper Bible, which is awesome—until it accidentally goes through the wash with your jeans […]

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How often do you think about the fact that we can carry the Bible around in our pockets? Crazy, right? If you have the Bible app on your phone, this is your reality. Or maybe you’re old-school and carry a pocket-sized paper Bible, which is awesome—until it accidentally goes through the wash with your jeans (oops). Regardless, chances are you have easy access to Scripture. But let’s be real: if we as leaders sometimes forget about this, imagine how easy it is for our students to do the same.

When I led a Bible study for high school girls, the blend of tech and tradition always stood out. Some brought paper Bibles, while others used their phones. Inevitably, phones became tools not just for reading but also for cross-referencing translations and taking notes. (Of course, they also occasionally Googled unrelated things that sparked unexpected conversations.) For students, their phones aren’t just tools—they’re extensions of their hands. Phones are where they connect, explore, express themselves, and, yes, get distracted. While tools like the Bible app are available, most students don’t know how to use them intentionally. So, how can we help students use this tool to grow their everyday faith?

If we want teenagers to build a personal faith beyond the walls of our ministries, we need to equip them with tools they can use every day. That’s where YouVersion comes in.

Why YouVersion Works for Teenagers

Incorporating YouVersion into your youth ministry isn’t about being trendy—it’s about meeting teenagers where they are. Digitally, developmentally, and culturally, YouVersion fits perfectly into their world. Here’s why:

1. Teenagers Crave Autonomy

Teenagers are in a stage of figuring out who they are and what they believe. This is a time of massive brain development, especially in the prefrontal cortex—the part responsible for focus, planning, and impulse control. They’re starting to take ownership of their beliefs, making this the perfect time to introduce tools that foster faith skills and independence.

YouVersion’s daily devotionals let students explore their faith on their terms, at their own pace, and in their own environments. This autonomy aligns with their developmental need for independence and is critical for spiritual growth.

2. They’re Digital Natives

Gen Z and Gen Alpha have grown up with TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, and Instagram, where short, engaging content rules. They’re adaptable multitaskers, but deep focus can be a challenge. Thankfully, YouVersion is designed with these traits in mind:

  • Access Anytime, Anywhere: Whether waiting for practice, riding the bus, or lying in bed, the Bible app is always available.
  • Customizable Content: Many plans include videos and reflection questions. Students can explore reading plans on topics they care about—anxiety, relationships, confidence, forgiveness—and choose translations they love. They can even do plans alone or with friends, small groups, or family.
  • Habit-Building Features: Tools like streaks and reminders help teenagers build consistent rhythms with God. It’s the spiritual equivalent of the Duolingo owl reminding you to practice your French.

Takeaway for leaders: Encourage students to start small. A three-day plan on a relevant topic is an easy, non-intimidating introduction.

3. It Connects to Their Emotions and Relationships

Teenagers experience intense emotions and complex social dynamics. The Bible app provides Scripture-based encouragement and wisdom to navigate these experiences. Plus, its social features—like sharing notes or completing devotionals together—create opportunities for connection. Faith isn’t just personal; it’s relational.

But… Let’s Talk Tensions

While YouVersion is an incredible tool, it’s not perfect. Here are a few challenges to consider:

  • Distractions: The same phone that houses the Bible app also houses TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and Snapchat. Encourage students to set aside intentional time for devotionals, perhaps using focus mode or finding a quiet space.
  • Screen Fatigue: Many teens already spend hours on screens for school and entertainment. Balance is key; help them pick a time of day that isn’t surrounded by more screen-heavy activities.

Practical Ways to Use YouVersion in Your Ministry

Ready to get started? Here are some fun and creative ways to integrate YouVersion into your youth ministry:

1. Weekly Challenges

Create a weekly devotional challenge that ties into your teaching series. For example, if you’re talking about integrity, have students complete a YouVersion plan on integrity together. Use the app’s group feature so students can share thoughts and encourage each other.

2. Small Group Integration

Equip small group leaders to use YouVersion during discussions. They can:

  • Quickly pull up Scripture passages.
  • Share devotional plans with the group.
  • Use the app’s discussion questions to spark conversations in the group chat after the gathering.

3. Partner with Parents

YouVersion isn’t just for students; it’s a great resource for parents, too. Share specific plans that align with what their teenagers are learning, giving families tools for faith conversations at home. This reinforces the idea that faith is a family journey.

4. Encourage Personal Faith Habits

Help students build routines by setting small, achievable goals, like reading one verse a day or completing a three-day plan. Features like streaks can motivate students to stay consistent.

5. Plan for Group Devotionals

Use YouVersion as part of events or retreats. Kick off a plan during the weekend and encourage students to finish it during the following week. This keeps the momentum going after the event.

Why This Matters

YouVersion isn’t just a tool; it’s an opportunity to help students integrate faith into their everyday lives. In a world of short attention spans, packed schedules, and endless distractions, the Bible app offers a way for teenagers to engage with Scripture on their terms.

And here’s the best part: It’s free! Whether you’re looking for plans that align with your curriculum (shoutout to XP3!) or want to encourage personal growth, YouVersion has countless options for every need.

Ready to Equip Your Students?

If you’re ready to incorporate YouVersion into your ministry, start small. Pick one strategy to try this month and see how your students respond. Over time, you’ll discover what works best for your group and how to make this resource a natural part of their faith journey.

As leaders, our goal is to empower teenagers to build a personal, everyday faith that goes beyond our programs. By teaching them how to use tools like YouVersion, we’re giving them a foundation that will grow with them long after they leave our ministries. Let’s help them take their faith everywhere they go—one day, one plan, one step closer to Jesus at a time.

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5 Practical Ways to Care for Your Soul in Ministry https://thinkorange.com/blog/5-practical-ways-to-care-for-your-soul-in-ministry/ Mon, 27 Jan 2025 13:56:44 +0000 https://thinkorange.com/?p=52249 Leading from Wholeness: Caring for Your Soul in Ministry Ministry is one of the most rewarding and impactful callings, but it’s also one of the most demanding. Whether you’re a youth pastor, spiritual director, or volunteer leader, the pressure to perform and produce results can often overshadow the importance of caring for your own spiritual […]

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Leading from Wholeness: Caring for Your Soul in Ministry

Ministry is one of the most rewarding and impactful callings, but it’s also one of the most demanding. Whether you’re a youth pastor, spiritual director, or volunteer leader, the pressure to perform and produce results can often overshadow the importance of caring for your own spiritual health and soul care. In a culture that values busyness and success, many ministry leaders struggle to balance the call to serve with the need to rest and recharge. But here’s the truth: you can’t pour into others when you’re running on empty.

In a recent episode of the Rethinking Youth Ministry Podcast, a panel of ministry leaders and spiritual directors shared their personal experiences, practical insights, and hard-learned lessons about the importance of leading from a place of spiritual wholeness. Let’s dive into the key takeaways and discover how you can thrive in ministry while nurturing your own soul.


The Pressure to Perform

One of the most significant challenges in ministry today is the expectation to perform constantly. Leaders often measure their success by attendance numbers, social media engagement, or the size of their events. While these metrics have their place, they don’t tell the whole story.

As one guest on the podcast shared, “I’ve experienced seasons where everything on the surface looked great—worship was thriving, retreats were full, and students were showing up—but internally, I was completely burned out. I felt like I was working for God, but I wasn’t with God.”

This performance-driven mindset can lead to dangerous cycles of overwork and emotional exhaustion. It reminds us that ministry success should never come at the cost of our spiritual health.

Does Your Spiritual Health Really Matter?

The short answer? Yes. Your spiritual health not only impacts you but also the people you lead. If you’re spiritually unhealthy, you’ll struggle to guide others to a place of depth and connection with God.

“You can’t lead others to a healthy place if you’re spiritually empty,” one panelist explained. “Eventually, your inner life will show outwardly, and the fruit you’re producing will reflect what’s happening in your soul.”

This truth challenges the notion that external success can compensate for internal struggles. Instead, it invites leaders to reimagine ministry success as more than just numbers and outcomes. True success is leading from a place of spiritual wholeness.


Practical Ways to Care for Your Soul

Caring for your spiritual health doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. Here are some practical steps shared during the podcast to help you nurture your soul while staying engaged in ministry:

1. Embrace Limits and Set Boundaries

One of the most profound realizations for ministry leaders is that they are not limitless. Recognizing your limitations is an act of humility and trust in God.

“As leaders, we often feel like we have to be everything to everyone,” a guest shared. “But acknowledging our limits reminds us that we’re not the Creator—we’re created beings with boundaries.”

Setting boundaries might look like:

  • Saying no to overcommitting your schedule.
  • Creating non-negotiable times for rest and family.
  • Protecting your Sabbath as a sacred day for rejuvenation.

2. Simplify Your Calendar

Ministry leaders often feel compelled to plan events around every cultural holiday or trend. But this can lead to burnout and rob you of time for personal rest and relationships.

“Stop trying to create a youth group event for every holiday,” one panelist advised. “Let students spend time with their families and use those moments to rest and recharge.”

Focusing on fewer, more intentional events can create a healthier rhythm for both you and the students you serve.

3. Develop Daily Rhythms

Spiritual health isn’t just about big retreats or sabbaticals. It’s cultivated through consistent, small practices in your everyday life. Here are a few ideas:

  • Prayer: Experiment with different prayer practices to find what resonates with you. Whether it’s silent meditation, guided prayers, or journaling, creating a daily rhythm of prayer can deepen your connection with God.
  • Silence and Solitude: While it may feel uncomfortable initially, carving out moments of stillness allows you to hear God’s voice more clearly.
  • Mindfulness: Pay attention to the simple, ordinary moments of life. Whether enjoying a cup of coffee, walking around your neighborhood, or watching the sunrise, these moments can become sacred when approached with intention.

4. Lean Into Community

Ministry can often feel isolating, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Surround yourself with trusted friends, mentors, or spiritual directors who can support and hold you accountable.

“Invite people into your life who will ask the hard questions,” a panelist shared. “Like, ‘When was the last time you took a day off?’ or ‘How are you really doing?’”

Community provides perspective, encouragement, and the reminder that you’re not alone in this journey.

5. Redefine Ministry Success

One of the most challenging but liberating takeaways from the episode was the call to redefine what success looks like in ministry.

“If your perspective of ministry success doesn’t change as you prioritize your spiritual health, you’re going to struggle,” a panelist said. “True success is about longevity and leading from a place of wholeness, not just achieving short-term results.”

This shift requires courage, as it often goes against cultural expectations. But it’s essential for sustaining a healthy, impactful ministry.


Overcoming Resistance

As you begin implementing these practices, you may encounter resistance—both from others and within yourself. Perhaps you’ve internalized the idea that rest equals laziness or that slowing down will lead to failure. These beliefs can be hard to shake.

“Pay attention to your resistance,” one guest advised. “What’s behind it? What fears or assumptions are holding you back from creating space for your spiritual health?”

By leaning into these questions, you can uncover the deeper issues that keep you stuck and invite God’s healing into those areas.


An Invitation to Lean In

At its core, caring for your spiritual health is about leaning into God’s love. It’s about creating space to be with Him, not just work for Him. As one panelist beautifully summarized, “God is already present in your places of vulnerability and need. When you lean into those moments, you’ll discover that He’s been there all along.”

So, as you head into a new season of ministry, take time to pause, reflect, and make your own spiritual health a priority. Whether setting boundaries, simplifying your calendar, or practicing daily rhythms of prayer and rest, remember that leading from wholeness is the greatest gift you can offer to those you serve.

You are not what you produce. You are God’s beloved—and that is more than enough.Listen to the full episode of the Rethinking Youth Ministry podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify today.

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8 Reasons Why You Should Use Teaching Videos In Your Youth Ministry https://thinkorange.com/blog/8-creative-ways-use-xp3-teaching-videos/ Wed, 04 Dec 2024 18:03:41 +0000 https://thinkorange.com/8-creative-ways-use-xp3-teaching-videos/ There's an simple and engaging way to share the message each week with your students, and hopefully make your life as a youth pastor a little easier.

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Picture this. It’s Tuesday afternoon (let’s pretend that your church’s youth ministry meets on Sunday mornings) and you’re ready to start preparing for this upcoming Sunday’s teaching. But, you’ve decided you are not going to be the one teaching. You recognize that you never want to be “the rockstar youth ministry leader who does everything”, so you’ve started sharing the teaching responsibilities. Yet you’re looking at your volunteer list, and no one is quite ready to teach this week. What are your alternative options?

Or maybe it’s Thursday morning (let’s pretend your youth ministry gathering was last night) and last night’s message is still playing in your mind. . . but not in a good way. It wasn’t bad, because you know you did your best and the Holy Spirit will use that. But can’t help but wonder. . . is there any way that my best can get better? But in a way that doesn’t demand too much more of my time?

If either of those scenarios reminds you of your personal situation, we can help. Maybe you’ve just purchased the XP3 teaching videos in your add-on media package curriculum subscription, or you’re interested in purchasing them but wondering if they’re really worth it. This blog will give you 10 hacks (depending on your circumstances) that will help you see ways the XP3 teaching videos can be a worthwhile value-add to your ministry. 

Before we jump in, here are two big ideas to note:

When communicating to students, we’ll always believe your best option (if possible) is to have a live communicator deliver the large group message. Even better? Having a live communicator that your students both know and trust. Students are always more likely to engage with someone they know over someone they don’t.

In an ideal world, you would also have several equipped, live communicators with whom you could build a teaching team for your youth ministry (more on how to do that in this blog). However, if this is something you’re still working toward, these hacks are designed to get you by until that ideal world becomes a reality.

8 Hacks For Using Teaching Videos

1. The Ultimate Backup Plan

We recognize teaching videos do not give the same vibes as a substitute communicator, but they serve a similar purpose. Teaching videos can be your speaker whenever another better option for a communicator doesn’t exist. Your current team may literally only consist of you. Perhaps you’ve identified some people, but they still need some training. Maybe you have a teaching team, but it’s a busy season, or a last-minute emergency popped up. Maybe you and your team are just tired and need a week’s break from teaching prep. Whatever the reason may be, you’ll always have a teaching video ready to use when you need it.

2. Watch, Learn, Teach

Some people learn best by seeing others who have more experience in action. The XP3 team is intentionally inviting the best communicators we know to deliver our teaching videos. Watching them can be kind of a “Communicators 201” class for you and your team. Even if you plan to teach live, watching our communicators deliver the message first will naturally help viewers become better communicators. You might be reading this hoping to one day communicate on different stages in your church.  Using these teaching videos as a guide is a way to help you get there.

3. Delegate and Breathe

The average youth ministry leader has A LOT on their plate. Honestly, the responsibility of live teaching is one of the few that can actually be delegated when necessary. You’ll still need to prepare by watching the video to make any comments of correction or difference due to your theological preferences, but let the teaching videos do most of the heavy lifting for you. Also, the responsibility of teaching is what often scares most volunteers away from student ministry, so leading with “you won’t have to do any of the upfront teaching” often helps with your volunteer recruitment. 

4. Elevate Diversity

We believe every student needs to see both someone on stage who looks like them and someone on stage who doesn’t. Depending on where your youth ministry is located, who chooses to volunteer, and what programs students choose to attend; it can be difficult to turn that belief into reality. We intentionally strive for racial, gender, and ethnic diversity among our communicators in each series of teaching videos we produce. So, using the teaching videos brings that same diversity to the students in your ministry.

5. Multiply Your Impact

Maybe you’re leading a ministry that has separate middle school and high school gatherings, multiple services, or multiple campuses. With teaching videos, you can develop a system where, at whatever times/spaces make sense, certain groups receive video teaching while others receive live teaching.

6. Partner with Parents

For series on heavier or more sensitive topics (like sex, dating, mental health, etc.), you can use the teaching videos to allow parents to preview the content prior to teaching it to their students. This will better prepare parents for engaging in conversations about sensitive subjects and ensure that everyone is using the same language when navigating these topics.

7.  Engage On-The-Go Students

We believe every kid needs to see both someone on stage who looks like them and Think of your students who are travel athletes, marching band players, or cast and crew in the school or local theater production.  Due to those interests, they might miss several weeks in a row of your youth gatherings. Instead of just missing completely; a better option might be to make the teaching videos easily available to them to view on their own time. Some leaders create a private YouTube channel for this or Google drive for this. Empower them to stay connected to what their peers and small group leaders are learning even when they aren’t physically there.

8. Smaller Groups, Bigger Impact

Something we’ve heard from leaders of smaller youth ministries (15 students or less) is that having a speaker stand in front of smaller groups can feel awkward. Yet, watching a teaching video together might actually feel more natural. For those of you who have already purchased XP3 teaching videos, the “Integrated Teaching Videos” might be the best option for a smaler ministry. Look for that folder in your curriculum dashboard and reach out to your Orange Specialist if you have any questions.

I hope several of these hacks are helpful to you and make a positive impact on your youth ministry! Ultimately, here are two things to keep in mind. First, you and your teaching team are the last word on what is taught to your students. Yes, you may play a video to communicate the bulk of the teaching, but you are in control of how that video is set up and how that video is to be interpreted after. You and your team are still in control of how the Gospel is being taught in your ministry, exactly how it should be. Second, trust your gut on whether teaching videos will truly work and add value to your ministry. You know better than anyone what is best to help your youth engage with the teaching. We hope you have the freedom and resources you need to bring that engagement to your youth. 

XP3 teaching videos are best purchased alongside our XP3 curriculum. Click here to learn more and even download a sample of curriculum and teaching videos to try them out today.

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7 Questions To Ask Before Innovation https://thinkorange.com/blog/7-questions-to-ask-before-innovation/ Tue, 05 Nov 2024 12:00:35 +0000 https://thinkorange.com/?p=49629 DO SOMETHING NEW We’ve all been there—you know something needs to change…but you’re not sure what, when, or how. Planning for change can feel overwhelming, especially when Sunday is just around the corner. But whether you’re ready for a big shift in your ministry or just exploring ideas, here’s one thing to remember: Innovation Takes […]

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DO SOMETHING NEW

We’ve all been there—you know something needs to change…but you’re not sure what, when, or how. Planning for change can feel overwhelming, especially when Sunday is just around the corner. But whether you’re ready for a big shift in your ministry or just exploring ideas, here’s one thing to remember:

Innovation Takes Time

Ideas might come to you in a moment, but actual change? That takes time. It’s not just about launching a new idea; it’s about bringing others on board, finding the budget, and often getting the go-ahead from leadership. And even before you get to those steps, there are some crucial questions you need to consider:

7 Questions to Ask Before You Innovate

  • Why are things the way they are?
  • Where will change have the most impact?
  • What’s actually possible?
  • What’s wise?
  • How do I start?
  • What will I say to my team or leaders?
  • How do I know if it will work?

Here’s the catch: You can’t figure it all out alone.

Innovation Takes People

To make meaningful change, you need a team. That’s the secret to lasting impact. You need leaders, thinkers, and partners who understand your unique context. These are the people who know why the trunk-or-treat works at your church or what a new program night could mean for families in YOUR community.

And…you also need people who don’t know your world. Outside perspectives bring fresh insights and help you see things differently.

Introducing the Youth Ministry Innovation Cohorts

That’s exactly why we created the Youth Ministry Innovation Cohorts. Over the next 18 months, you’ll form your own “innovation task force”—a team that knows your ministry inside and out. Plus, you’ll connect with other high-performing leaders like you and ministry experts who can bring that valuable outside perspective.

Most importantly, a personal ministry coach will guide you and your cohort through a trusted innovation process, helping you take practical, impactful steps toward your goals.

Is Innovation Worth It?

Is 18 months a long time? Yes.
Is change hard? Of course.

But here’s the bottom line:

Innovation Is Worth It

Real innovation—change that sticks—takes time, people, and effort. But at the end of it all, your ministry could be in a place you never imagined. Ready to make it happen?

Let’s do something new.

Ready to join our next cohort? Learn more here.

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10 Christmas Games to Bring Holiday Cheer to Your Youth Group https://thinkorange.com/blog/10-christmas-games-to-bring-holiday-cheer-to-your-youth-group/ Thu, 17 Oct 2024 18:21:56 +0000 https://thinkorange.com/?p=49457 Christmas is the season of joy, giving, and togetherness, making it the perfect time to bring your youth group closer through fun, interactive games. Whether you’re organizing a youth group Christmas party or just needing some games for your small groups during the Christmas season, incorporating these activities into your programming is guaranteed to create […]

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Christmas is the season of joy, giving, and togetherness, making it the perfect time to bring your youth group closer through fun, interactive games. Whether you’re organizing a youth group Christmas party or just needing some games for your small groups during the Christmas season, incorporating these activities into your programming is guaranteed to create lasting memories, laughter, and a festive atmosphere. The best part? These games are easy to set up and adaptable for groups of all sizes. 

Here are 10 Christmas games that will add some merriment to your youth group this season.

1. Face Painting: Add a Festive Touch

What better way to kick off the holiday fun than with creative Christmas face painting? Set up a station where group members can transform into festive characters like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, a snowman, or an elf. All you need is a volunteer with an artistic hand and some face paint supplies—red, green, white, and sparkles are always a must! Don’t forget to provide mirrors so everyone can check out their new holiday look.

Why it works: Face painting is a great icebreaker, allowing everyone to dive into the festive spirit from the get-go. It also adds a visual element of fun to the event, making it feel like an extra-festive Christmas party.

Pro Tip: Have a few pre-drawn designs for inspiration and keep things simple with easy, recognizable Christmas symbols.

2. Costume Contest: Looks that Sleigh

If your group loves a bit of friendly competition, a Christmas costume contest will get everyone excited. Encourage your students to come dressed as their favorite holiday characters—Santa Claus, a reindeer, the Grinch, or even a Christmas tree! Let each small group nominate their two best-dressed members. Gather all the nominees on stage, take a group picture, and let the audience vote by applause for the winner. Alternatively, you can have a panel of leaders select the top costume. Be sure to reward the winner with a festive prize like a gift card, Christmas ornament, or holiday-themed treat.

Why it works: A costume contest gets everyone involved and taps into their creativity while giving the event a fun, lighthearted vibe. Plus, who doesn’t love dressing up?

Pro Tip: Post pictures of the winners on your ministry’s social media, side-by-side with the character they dressed as for a fun “who wore it better” post!

3. Candy Cane Ring Toss: A Sweet Challenge

This Christmas twist on a classic game will keep your group on their toes—literally! Set up a series of target stands (cones, bottles, or even Christmas tree decorations) and provide players with candy cane-shaped rings. Each student gets a chance to toss the rings and try to hook them onto the targets. For a bit more fun, gradually increase the distance between the players and the targets to make it more challenging as the game progresses.

Why it works: Candy Cane Ring Toss is a simple game that’s easy to set up and play. It’s a fun competition, and it’s a great game for all ages.

Pro Tip: Consider giving small holiday-themed prizes for each successful toss to keep everyone motivated.

4. Christmas Karaoke: Fa La La La Your Heart Out

What’s Christmas without some music? Set up a karaoke station and let your group show off their vocal (or lip-syncing) talents with classic Christmas tunes. Whether it’s “Jingle Bells,” “Silent Night,” or “All I Want for Christmas is You,” there’s nothing like belting out a festive song to get people in the holiday spirit. You can have individuals perform solo or get small groups to sing together. Turn it into a competition by having a volunteer judge or by allowing the audience to vote for the best performance.

Why it works: Christmas karaoke is a crowd-pleaser. It’s nostalgic, entertaining, and always good for a few laughs.

Pro Tip: Offer fun categories for winners, such as “Most Creative Performance,” “Best Group Sing,” or “Most Enthusiastic Singer,” to encourage participation from even the shyest members of the group.

5. Snowball Toss: Aim for the Win

Bring a bit of winter wonderland into your small group with a snowball toss game! Using balled-up paper or soft foam balls as snowballs, set up a target board with buckets, hoops, or a snowman cutout. Each target can have different point values based on difficulty. Give each player a set number of snowballs (3-5) and see who can rack up the highest score. You can even create team challenges to add a layer of competition.

Why it works: Snowball Toss is fun, simple, and easy to organize. Plus, it’s great for all ages, making it a versatile game for mixed groups.

Pro Tip: If you want to go the extra mile, decorate your targets with festive designs, like reindeer, elves, or a gingerbread house, to make the game more immersive.

6. Christmas Card Station: Spread Some Cheer

This activity encourages creativity while also giving students a chance to share the Christmas spirit. Set up a station with blank cards, glitter glue, stickers, colored markers, and other craft supplies. Encourage everyone to create personalized Christmas cards, which they can either give to each other, take home to loved ones, or donate to a local charity or nursing home.

Why it works: The Christmas card station is a quieter, more reflective activity, but it gives people a chance to express kindness and thoughtfulness during the holiday season.

Pro Tip: Provide sample messages or fun prompts like “What’s your favorite Christmas memory?” to get people started.

7. Elf Bowling: Knock Down the Elves

Take the traditional bowling game and give it a holiday twist with Elf Bowling! Decorate empty plastic bottles to look like elves—wrap them in Christmas paper or use markers and stickers to add festive details. Players will roll a ball (or even a wrapped present) to knock down as many elf pins as possible in one go.

Why it works: Elf Bowling is a fun, hands-on game guaranteed to get everyone on their feet. It’s a silly, lighthearted activity that’s easy to set up but adds a big dose of Christmas fun.

Pro Tip: Offer a prize for anyone who scores a strike to add an extra element of excitement.

8. Sack Race: Santa’s Gift Bag Challenge

Take the traditional sack race and turn it into a Santa-themed race! Provide each student with a sack decorated to look like Santa’s gift bag. Players will hop from one end of the course to the other, racing to be the first to finish. For an added challenge, place large inflatable “gifts” or presents along the course that players must collect as they go. You can even time each student to make it more competitive.

Why it works: It’s a high-energy game that gets everyone laughing and moving. It’s especially fun if your group has a competitive streak!

Pro Tip: Encourage students to wear Santa hats or other festive gear during the race to amp up the holiday cheer.

9. Snowball Fight Arena: Ultimate Showdown

One of the most anticipated events of the day, the Snowball Fight Arena will bring out the inner child in everyone! Divide your group into teams and arm each team with soft foam balls or balled-up socks as “snowballs.” Set up barriers, forts, or even just designated sides of the room for each team to hide behind and strategize. Then let the snowball fight begin! The goal is to eliminate players by hitting them with snowballs, but you can also incorporate other objectives, like capturing the other team’s flag.

Why it works: This high-energy game is a fantastic finale to your Christmas games session. It’s a physical, team-based activity that encourages teamwork and friendly competition between small groups.

Pro Tip: If you have a hosting segment in your large group experience, consider organizing multiple rounds or using different strategies, such as timed battles or knock-out rounds.

10. Awards Ceremony: Ring in the Victories

Wrap up your Christmas games with an awards ceremony! After all the games and activities, take time to recognize the winners of each competition—whether it’s best costume, best karaoke performance, or top-scoring team in the snowball fight. Hand out holiday-themed trophies, t-shirts, or even snow globes as prizes. This is also a great opportunity to celebrate students who showed great sportsmanship or holiday spirit throughout the event.

Why it works: Recognizing students adds a sense of achievement and excitement to your event. It also reinforces the joy of coming together and celebrating as a group.

Pro Tip: Capture the awards ceremony with photos and videos to share with your group on social media or in a recap email to keep the holiday spirit alive long after the event.

Spread Christmas Cheer All Year Long in Your Youth Group

Want even more Christmas fun? These 10 games from our Merry & Bright Carnival Night Christmas Party Pack. Step right up! We’ve got a Christmas experience for your youth group you don’t want to miss. Throw an epic Christmas Carnival for your student ministry with our FREE party pack!

Need even more ideas of what games you can use this holiday season in your youth group? Join our youth ministry Facebook community.

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What Ministry Leaders Need to Know About 13-Year-Olds https://thinkorange.com/blog/what-ministry-leaders-need-to-know-about-13-year-olds/ Thu, 19 Sep 2024 14:37:33 +0000 https://thinkorange.com/?p=48932 “Everything is awkward.” When we at Springtide surveyed more than 1,000 13-year-olds earlier this year, this is how many of them defined that pivotal year from childhood to adolescence. New schools, changing bodies, different moods from day to day (or hour to hour!) — 13-year-olds deeply feel this time of transition. If you’ve spent any […]

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“Everything is awkward.”

When we at Springtide surveyed more than 1,000 13-year-olds earlier this year, this is how many of them defined that pivotal year from childhood to adolescence. New schools, changing bodies, different moods from day to day (or hour to hour!) — 13-year-olds deeply feel this time of transition. If you’ve spent any time with middle school youth, you’ve probably witnessed it firsthand.

Some aspects of teenage life remain constant, whether you were born 20 years ago or 60 years ago. Yet, today’s 13-year-olds may argue that being this age at this time is different than ever before — and as the eldest of Generation Alpha, they might be right.

Springtide studies young people 13 to 25, and as these Elder Alphas came on our radar, we wanted to understand what they thought about their identity, their religious and spiritual lives, the media and technology use, their political beliefs, and their experiences during COVID-19. So we asked them directly. Their responses became one of our newest reports, Thirteen: A First Look at Gen Alpha.

While the 13-year-olds we surveyed are members of Gen Alpha, their responses don’t necessarily represent the generation’s current position or future trajectory. More research will be needed to understand if these insights represent the moment or provide a glimpse into the hallmarks of a generation. Yet, what this report does offer is a snapshot of a very important time in a young person’s life. If you work with 13-year-olds in your ministry, a sneak peek into their internal worlds could support stronger relationships with them.

Here are a few key insights:

Their most important identifier is being 13.

Given a list of options including gender, race, family status, and more, 13-year-olds most commonly choose age-group as the identity most important to them.

Race and ethnicity matters.

This aspect of identity feels especially important to Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) 13-year-olds’, a third of whom say they have felt discriminated against because of their race or ethnicity. BIPOC 13-year-olds are more likely to feel that their race or ethnicity will worsen their opportunities in life, while white teens are more likely to feel that their racial identity will improve them.

Friendships feel central.

Many 13-year-olds say their closest friends include someone of a different racial identity, and that their friendships feel supportive and rewarding. When asked about why they’re on social media, most say “because my friends use it.”

Loneliness, worry, and anxiety happen.

Though far from dominating life, feelings of loneliness crop up at least sometimes over a four-week period for four in ten 13-year-olds. Half feel worried or anxious at least sometimes during the same period.

Religion and spirituality are a common part of life – and they care about it.

Large majorities of 13-year-olds identify as at least slightly spiritual, slightly religious, or both. Most live in homes where religion and spirituality come up in conversation at least sometimes. Teens who believe in a higher power and who see religion as personally important are less likely to report feeling unhappy or lonely over the past month.

One powerful insight we learned from this research is that 13-year-olds value their families, friends, and the trusted adults around them. This aligns with our prior research that underscores the power of having meaningful relationships with adults, whether you’re supporting their mental health, helping to develop their purpose, or guiding them in their religious and spiritual development. As a person in youth ministry, you are uniquely positioned to help young people grow, accompanying them as they navigate that awkward transition to teenage years or move into young adulthood. Creating and sustaining connections with those you serve now can help shape their paths – spiritual and otherwise- for a lifetime.

To read Thirteen: A First Look at Gen Alpha, download it for free.

To learn more about Springtide and our work, check out our research.

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How To Talk About Politics in Youth Ministry (And Why You Should) https://thinkorange.com/blog/why-talking-about-politics-in-youth-ministry-matters-and-how-to-elevate-it/ Thu, 22 Aug 2024 12:42:34 +0000 https://thinkorange.com/?p=47460 You should be talking about politics in your student ministry. When you read that sentence, you most likely tensed up. I get it. After all, depending on your context and experience, you may have been hurt by churches that teach political ideology, expect teaching about political issues at church, or believe church should be a […]

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You should be talking about politics in your student ministry.

When you read that sentence, you most likely tensed up. I get it.

After all, depending on your context and experience, you may have been hurt by churches that teach political ideology, expect teaching about political issues at church, or believe church should be a politics-free safe space. 

Not only do we all have vastly different experiences and expectations when it comes to discussing politics in church, but the United States also has a complicated relationship with religion and Christianity, more specifically. 

Based on these realities, it’s probably best to amend the previous statement. 

You should be talking about how to engage in politics (and political conversations) in your student ministry. 

We just released a free one week lesson on talking about politics with high schoolers. So, let’s unpack why, and how you should be talking about this with students.

Why you should talk about politics

Students are talking about politics. 

Gen Z is known as one of the most politically engaged generations. They are known for their zeal for justice and activism. So, many of the students in our ministries are already engaged in political discussions. 

Consider these statistics, 

According to research done by United Way, 
51% of Gen Z have attended a protest or rally for a social cause they care about. 
32% of all Gen Zers are regularly involved in activism. 
33% of Gen Zers have contacted politicians about a cause they care about. 

Gen Alpha also appears to be engaged, at least in current issues. 

According to a survey by The Week, 
84% of American children 8-14 discuss the news once a week. 
24% of American children 8-14 discuss the news daily. 

Of course, not every student is engaged in political activism or well-versed in current issues related to politics. However, even the most politically disconnected teenager is likely to see political content on social media or listen to adults in their lives discuss politics. We have the opportunity to influence how teenagers view and talk about politics so that they can navigate political tension respectfully and thoughtfully. 

How we treat each other matters

Jesus said that the world would know His disciples by our love–not our political involvement or our voting history. That doesn’t mean that politics don’t matter. The laws that govern our country and communities impact our daily experiences. Part of loving our neighbor often involves advocating for laws that help them flourish. 

However, it’s no secret that we all have different perspectives of what that looks like and the government’s role in creating thriving communities. So, as we work together despite differences, we must learn how to respect each other. We also must remember that It’s possible to advocate for all of the right things while dishonoring God because we mistreat each other in the process.

We have an opportunity to help the next generation navigate a politically polarized culture and demonstrate God’s goodness to that culture by loving people they disagree with. We can equip the next generation to create a more unified world than the one they are growing up in. 

So, what can this look like? I’m not an expert in leading through political tension, but I have learned from some incredible leaders who lead in politically diverse communities. Here are a few practices I have seen them model or practices that I think could be helpful in this election season. 

How to talk about politics

Assume people with different views are in the room

Chances are, the teenagers in your room have a variety of political beliefs. If they don’t, they know someone who has different political leanings. So, when you speak ill of any side, you are most likely speaking about someone’s parent, family member, or friend. When you consider that, it changes how you speak about someone, even if you disagree. 

So, consider these questions:
– How would your messaging differ if you assumed people with diverse political opinions were in the room?
– Are there ways you can help people develop empathy for the other side?
– Are there any assumptions you make about what your audience believes?

Avoid misinformation

As Christians, we often talk about delighting in truth. However, when we ignore reality or the facts and research related to different issues, we are not practicing this. In most contexts, you probably aren’t talking about specific political issues from the stage, but sometimes, students ask us questions we weren’t prepared for. In those moments, we can feel pressure to give an answer immediately, even if we are not well-informed on the topic. We may even rely on messaging we have heard in the news or on social media related to the topic without knowing for sure if what we are saying is true. 

So, what do we say? I am not perfect at this, but here are some phrases, I have found helpful in political conversations: 

“Some Christians believe . . . .” 
“I am not sure, but I will do some research.” 
“I think I have heard this, but let me Google it to confirm.” 
“Have you asked your parent about that?” 

This is even more complicated in a digital age where we are inundated with misinformation and biased media. Sometimes it’s hard to sort out what the facts are when different sources say different things. It is often helpful to rely on primary sources and look at multiple sources to avoid bias. We have a responsibility to do our best to share facts or exhibit enough humility to avoid speaking about issues we are uninformed about. At the same time, when we share our perspective on what is true, we must also remember that truth is best shared in love. 

Reject violent language

If you are reading this, you are probably not inciting violence or sharing violent content. That being said, sometimes we are desensitized to the violence we find in the Bible and the violent language found in Christian content.

For instance, let’s consider the lyrics of some worship songs . . . 
“This is how I fight my battles.” 
“Sing a little louder (In the presence of my enemies)” 
“You win every battle.”

Now, it’s not wrong to sing these songs. They are great. At the same time, this violent language comes straight from the Bible. But, what if Christians are literally singing about their brothers and sisters who vote differently as enemies? At the very least, when we sing worship songs, we should define the words we use and not encourage violence against people who vote differently. When we teach Scripture that includes violent language, we should explain the context and not use it to justify violent action.

At the same time, if we are looking for how to treat our enemies, we should probably look to Jesus’ words. He says to love them. 

That’s also why we should . . .

Refuse to insult or dehumanize

This is a given, right? We should be kind as we try to follow Jesus. However, as we watch social media feeds filled with memes that aren’t about policy but about people’s looks and life choices, it must be said. We can elevate how we navigate political tension by always treating people like they are made in the image of God

Eat meals together

This one may be the most important. There is something about eating food that humanizes us. It’s hard to be enemies with someone you have shared a meal with. In this political season, we may need to be more intentional about eating meals together with our students, with our volunteers, and with our community. When we have moments of laughter and know each other’s stories, it changes how we disagree. 

How to set up the conversation well

Hopefully, these practices can help you foster unity and model what it looks like to love others in the midst of a politically tense season. But, practically, you should do three more things this fall to set your student ministry up for success. These are the most important.

Partner with parents

You do not want to catch parents off guard when it comes to this topic. If you teach about how to engage in politics in your ministry, they will most likely have big opinions on what is said or not said. So, communicate with them beforehand. Allow them to have their students opt out. Be open to answering questions and talking through concerns.

Train your volunteers

Your small group leaders will be the ones fielding complicated questions. Equip them by providing some scripts for questions they don’t feel comfortable answering. Remind them that their role is to create a safe space for discussion, not change a student’s mind. Setting up your volunteers for success will be essential for this season.

Communicate with leadership

Parents will call you and the pastor if they have questions or concerns. Avoid potential conflict by giving your leadership a heads-up and an opportunity to review what is being said. This may look different depending on your church culture and dynamic, but it can make difficult conversations go more smoothly if your leader is not taken by surprise. 

Get a free lesson series on talking about politics

If you want to learn more about elevating political tension discussions, check out the XP3 series Let’s Talk About When Adults Disagree and Elevating Conversations About Political Tension. You can download it free at https://thinkorange.com/elevate

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Bivocational Ministry and the Rise of Side Hustles https://thinkorange.com/blog/bivocational-ministry-and-the-rise-of-side-hustles/ Wed, 07 Aug 2024 15:08:04 +0000 https://thinkorange.com/?p=46437 It would be a mistake to pretend that bivocational ministry or side-hustles are a new phenomenon. After all, in many contexts bivocational ministry has been the standard for ministry leaders for decades as communities could not afford to support full time ministry leaders due to systemic inequality or lack of resources. For other communities, bivocational […]

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It would be a mistake to pretend that bivocational ministry or side-hustles are a new phenomenon. After all, in many contexts bivocational ministry has been the standard for ministry leaders for decades as communities could not afford to support full time ministry leaders due to systemic inequality or lack of resources. For other communities, bivocational ministry is a reality due to cultural context or even just preference. In fact, even as we have a conversation about bivocational ministry we don’t want to treat it as a deviation from the norm. 

That being said, it seems as though bivocational ministry and having a side hustle is on the rise. 

Due to global inflation, rises in the cost of living, and lower rates of giving and church engagement, churches are slashing budgets at the same time that personal budgets feel tighter than they have ever been. 

So, many ministry leaders find themselves in bivocational ministry for the first time or looking for a side-hustle to supplement their income. 

So, what are some best practices bivocational ministry leaders can engage in to lead sustainably? 

How can ministry leaders start a side-hustle while building trust with leadership? 

Leslie Mack, Charlie Conder, Shane Sanchez, and Heather McCreary sat down to have a conversation about what they are rethinking related to bivocational ministry and dove into those big questions. 

Here are a few of the big ideas and best practices that came out of that conversation. 

What are some best practices for bivocational ministry leaders?

  1. Create boundaries.
    Rest is so important. In fact, rest is often an act of faith. Whether you need to create boundaries in order to rest, fulfill other job obligations, or prioritze family, creating priority-based boundaries will help you thrive and avoid burn-out. At the same time, without pre-set boundaries and schedules, you may find yourself saying yes to things that matter, but neglecting what matters most. 

    As a reminder, no matter what season of life you are in, you are worthy of having boundaries and a life outside of your work. That is true whether you are single or you are a parent. That is also true whether your boundary helps you do other vocational ministry jobs or work in the public sector. Doing good work matters, and you can do ministry wherever you are. 
  2. Empower volunteers.
    Your ability to have boundaries will at least partly depend on how you empower volunteers and delegate tasks in your ministry. This may require extra work on the front end as often training someone to do a task can take as much time as executing a task yourself. However, if you are willing to invest in volunteers who can truly own aspects of your ministry, you will create more sustainability in the long run. This may not be easy and you will have to give up some control. However, when you empower volunteers you are not just building a ministry, you are investing in people.
  3. Partner with senior leaders.
    You need to know what is expected of you. Your senior leaders need to know what is fair to expect. How you collaborate with and communicate your boundaries, schedules, and responsibilities to senior leadership will build a foundation of trust. Inevitably there will be moments when you can’t answer the email, can’t attend the meeting, or need to reschedule an event. If there is agreement about priorities and trust from the beginning, these situations will cause less friction.

What are some best practices for starting a side-hustle? 

  1. Consider your passions and skills.
    What tasks do you love doing? What tasks are you good at? What skills do you want to grow? These are some of the first questions you should ask yourself if you want a side-hustle, but you aren’t sure where to start. Many creative talents and hobbies can be parlayed into side-hustles to make extra income. At the same time, a side-hustle doesn’t have to be some creative or entrepreneurial venture, but it is wise to choose something you are decent at and don’t hate doing. You may not want to Uber if you hate driving or dog-sit if you hate dogs. 

    No matter what your side hustle is, consider how it can help you grow in skills that can be beneficial to your ministry or personal growth. When you are able to clarify how a side-hustle is benefiting not just your finances, but your character or professional capacity it can be more enjoyable.
  2. Let go of shame.
    Whether you are starting a graphic design business, working a retail job, Ubering or learning a new trade, it’s important to let go of shame. Doing good and honorable work in order to meet your needs or financial goals is something you shouldn’t be ashamed of. In fact, your ability to grow a business or even just build trust will depend on how well you communicate about your side-hustle to your communicate.
  3. Communicate with leadership.
    This practice largely depends on your team culture and the nature of your side hustle. If you are picking up hours Door Dashing outside of work hours it may not be necessary to communicate your plan. However, if you are becoming a ministry coach and advertising your services, leadership probably needs to find out from you instead of on your social media feed. Check your church’s policy on outside work and consider ramifications for communicating or not communicating. Often communication can help you build trust and avoid potential conflict. It may even help you have more conversations about growing your leadership capacity and income potential. Whether you plan to communicate or not, having a plan for answering any questions they may have (should they come up) is wise so you can be prepared.

While these are all practical steps you can take to either thrive as a bivocational leader all of these practices actually boil down to one thing:

Trust.

How we trust God will change how we practice rest. 
How we trust our volunteers will determine how we delegate and equip them to lead. 
How senior leaders trust staff will determine if they are willing to provide flexibility and opportunities to experiment or grow. 
How we trust our communities will determine how we communicate new ventures or passions.
How we trust God and ourselves will determine whether we are willing to try something new. 

Whether you are a bivocational leader, someone who wants to start a new side hustle, or someone leading bivocational staff, in what ways can you build trust or practice trust? You may be surprised by how it leads to growth. 

This blog is adapted from Episode 130 of the Rethinking Youth Ministry Podcast. We would love to know what you are rethinking related to bivocational ministry or youth ministry in general, so be sure to join the conversation by checking out our Facebook community or listening to the Rethinking Youth Ministry Podcast

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Your Next Weekend Retreat: How To Serve Students, Volunteers, and Parents Well https://thinkorange.com/blog/how-to-serve-well/ Wed, 17 Jul 2024 13:00:00 +0000 https://thinkorange.com/?p=44258 We know there is a special something that happens when we can get students away. Even Jesus took moments to get away from the crowds, from the mundane, and from the demands of everyday life. There are many ways this could happen in your context but one of the ways Orange Students encourage serving students […]

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We know there is a special something that happens when we can get students away. Even Jesus took moments to get away from the crowds, from the mundane, and from the demands of everyday life. There are many ways this could happen in your context but one of the ways Orange Students encourage serving students is through the idea of a Weekend Retreat. 

A Weekend Retreat can take many forms. You could scramble your weekly schedule, take a bus to a Retreat Center, or you could do something totally innovative and new all together. Either way you spin it, there are essentially three groups of people we plan our weekend retreats for – parents, volunteers, and of course, our students. At the same time, each of those groups needs us to consider different things when planning our Weekend Retreat experiences.  

So what are some of the things they hope we, as ministry leaders, don’t forget when planning a Weekend Retreat for them?

Volunteers

Let’s assume you have all the volunteers you need for this Weekend Retreat and have sent them the materials they need to lead well for it, too! But what if we took this one step further?

In my first years of ministry, volunteers regularly told me “Well, I wasn’t sure what I could and couldn’t do in that scenario, so I didn’t do anything.” While training them for the retreat, I didn’t realize I was essentially giving them a book to read about swimming, but then throwing them in the deep end without floaties when we arrived.

  • Communicate your schedule, discipline policy, and expectations to your volunteers well in advance in order to set yourself and your team up for success.
  • Is there a volunteer who is First Aid certified? Would they mind you sharing that with the group?
  • Are all of your volunteers small group leaders or are there different roles?
  • Do you want to handle all discipline or is there something you’d like the leaders to say in your absence?
  • Do you expect your leaders to be engaged in a free time activity too, or can they take a break then as well?
  • If you’re going off-site for your retreat, is there anything tricky about the travel time or location they need to know before arrival?

Think through what your volunteers need to hear from you to be confident in their God-given gifts and calling for the weekend. They will be so thankful you did!

Perhaps the most important thing to remember when it comes to volunteers is encouragement.  I like to ask for what I call 5 Under 5! This concept is simply 5 things under $5 that would make a leader smile if they showed up at the retreat. This could be as simple as a handwritten note or hug and as complicated as their favorite plantain chips only sold at a local store! The hardest part of this is following through. You don’t have to spend a large amount of budget on this to pull it off. If 3 – 5 volunteers say they love a particular candy, purchase the family size and have a designated spot for volunteer-only snacks. Little things like this will make the biggest difference.Consider what makes your leaders feel most celebrated and incorporate that into the weekend.   

Parents

While it may seem odd to consider you are planning this retreat for parents, I’d offer that this is one of the greatest ways parent partnership happens. Partnering with Parents is a core value of Orange and I am often guilty of sharing the packing list or schedule and considering that partnership. (Accept my sincerest apologies for stepping on toes). Let’s say that a Weekend Retreat allows for about 48 hours of relational equity between a student and a Small Group Leader.  What if we looked at this Weekend Retreat opportunity to grow the same relational equity with parents as we are getting with the students?

In order to maximize this, we need to partner with parents not only before the retreat but during and after, too.

  • Consider including the following question on your registration form: Is there anything we need to know to best serve your student this weekend? or something similar. This has opened the door to us knowing more about homesickness, a recent family split, and even a fear of sleeping on the top bunk! This not only helps your weekend go more smoothly but also helps the parent/family remember you are on their team.
  • Have you sent the packing list with plenty of time to make it possible for the parent to succeed?
  • Do you have a way to communicate an ETA if your retreat is out of town?
  • What is your plan to share pictures? (Consider a chat app or even social media as an easy way to do this).
  • What about after the retreat? If you are an XP3 Curriculum partner, then you are familiar with Parent Cue. There are topics that are included with a subscription that cue a parent at home as to what to ask their child about when it comes to that week’s lesson. You could do the same for the retreat!
  • What are the top 3 – 4 ideas you hope your students walk away with after the retreat? Pre-draft an email with those and a few questions for parents to ask their students when they return home. Some email software even allows you to schedule this to be sent when you return home! If you can’t schedule it, put the date you will send it on your calendar.
  • Keep a note in the Notes App on your phone of some really awesome moments from the weekend. Write a handwritten note to families when you return – even just one is a win – of ways you saw their child shine and see the partnership flourish.  
  • Have your youth on the retreat write thank-you notes or a text to their families for sending them! Anything you can do to bolster that relationship is the goal here.

But again, make sure you are taking this beyond information sharing! A partnership is two parties doing something to move in the same direction. How can you leverage this retreat as a way to remind parents you desire to partner with them?

Students

Last, but not least, students tend to be the main event of a Weekend Retreat. And that’s so exciting! One question to consider is: What is your win for students at the end of this weekend? Each denomination and church may have different goals with a weekend away but you are uniquely situated to determine that for your students. By empowering your leaders well and setting your parents up for success, you are guaranteed students will win too at the end of this Weekend Retreat.

  • Have you provided spaces for both extroverts and introverts to thrive? An easy win is to bring a large sheet of butcher paper and some markers for a low-key doodle station or provide an indoor movie option for free time.
  • On our weekend retreats, we also ask the students to bring snacks. We divide it sweet/salty based on last name or grade (depending on the breakdown) and then keep the leftover snacks in our ministry area when we return for students to eat when they hang out after school. It’s a win-win!
  • You may also want to incorporate students into the planning of the retreat. Is there a game you want to run by them or a spot where they could kick off a session with prayer? Consider involving them in the leadership of the weekend, too!
  • You may also want to think through rooming assignments, transportation needs, and any ministry-particular policies surrounding these things when it comes to your students.

Ministry Leader

You and I both know that as a ministry leader, a Weekend Retreat can be taxing. It is a joy to serve students and also can be difficult for us personally. Talk with leadership about taking a day to rest and recover when you return from your Weekend Retreat. Even as a volunteer ministry leader, this is a great conversation to have! Sleep in, plan some soul care, and do not touch email that day.

The best part of Orange is they have a few things that will help with the planning, too:

  • Contact your Orange Specialist (OS). When I took students on my first weekend retreat, I set up a call with my OS and they helped me think through everything – transportation, packing list, schedule, meals, etc. Orange Specialists are a phenomenal resource you don’t want to miss.
  • Join the Facebook Group, Rethinking Youth Ministry: A Youth Ministry Community From Orange”. Do a quick search for Weekend Retreat in the group or make a post to get some ideas from members in the group. It’s a great resource!
  • Check out the FREE Weekend Retreat resource – EVERYTHING. This guide takes you step by step on planning an incredible weekend and did I mention, it’s FREE?

On the first retreat I ever led while serving students, we got lost, nearly ran out of fuel in our van, and the pizza for lunch got irreparably burned. Those students are now juniors and seniors in college and STILL reach out to say how meaningful that weekend was. 

Perhaps the biggest thing you don’t want to forget when planning a weekend retreat is that God has called you to this work and you are doing a great job. Trust God has already equipped and empowered you and will encourage you along the way as you lead.

We can’t wait to hear how your next Weekend Retreat goes!

The post Your Next Weekend Retreat: How To Serve Students, Volunteers, and Parents Well appeared first on Think Orange.

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