February 2009 New Town UMC Youth Ministry Volunteer Newsletter
How to Survive Youth Ministry With Out-of-Control Youth By
D. Beckner (Source http://volunteeryouthministry.com/)
Many of us became youth ministry volunteers either because somebody helped us get through our teenage years or because we want to help others avoid the same mistakes we made during our adolescent years. However, many times leaders get overwhelmed by students once they start volunteering. Last year I spent a few days substitute teaching at the local high school so that I could have another way to reach students. After the third day, I realized it wasn’t going to work out. They were rude, manipulative, cheating heathens. And those were just the freshman girls. Even though I’ve been working with students for 15 years, I was completely caught off guard. Instead of molding young minds, I was fighting a losing battle for my life. I was done after 3 days. Many of us feel that way when we walk into the youth ministries of our church. I can understand the feeling of being overwhelmed and wanting to give up. Fortunately, I feel a little more equipped to handle issues at church than in our public school system. I’m not so naive to think I can blindly solve the problems specific to your ministry through an article on my blog. However, I do have some lifelines I can toss your direction with hopes of helping you last: 1. Add reinforcements - If students are taking over, that can be a sign that there isn’t enough adult presence. An ideal ratio is 7-10 students to every adult in a large group program. In a small group program, the ratio works better at a 3 students to every leader. Adding leaders can be one of the toughest tasks in ministry. However, until you do, count on being over run. To bring in more leaders, you need to sell the potential of the ministry to other godly adults who can share the vision for what your ministry can accomplish. (continued on page 2)
Great Questions to Ask Youth It's amazing how many youth (and adults) are mesmerized by the thought of being famous. See what youth think about some of these questions. 1. Who is your favorite famous person? What do you like about them? 2. If you could be friends with any famous person, who would it be? Why would you want to be friends with them? Do you think they would be a good friend? 3. Why do you think we are so obsessed with famous people and their mistakes? 4. Do you think fame comes at a price? What are some of the advantages/ disadvantages of fame? Would you be willing to pay that price to be famous? 5. Can you name any celebrities who are famous and live for Christ? Why aren't there that many?
Usaweekend.com asked youth some very interesting questions about famous people. Here is what they found: Which quality matters most to you in a celebrity? (Pick one) 36% Talent 32% Personality 17% Character 15% Looks Do you agree with this statement: When celebrities make the following choices, a lot of teens want to do the same. 77% - Lose weight 62% - Pierce a body part 58% - Get a tattoo 48% - Drink alcohol 47% - Smoke cigarettes 39% - Take drugs
Verse of the month "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV)
PRAY THAT: 1. The Youth will have the desire to store up treasures in heaven instead of trying to store up treasures here on earth. 2. God will continue to use the youth of NTUMC for His glory and for His fame. 3. The youth will find their importance in Christ, instead of how the world tells them to find their worth. 4. God will help the youth of NTUMC pursue the things of God, to find satisfaction in Him and only Him.
(How to Survive Youth Ministry…continued from page 1) 2. Be ready before they arrive - Idle hands are the Devil’s playground. If students are arriving and they’re not getting your attention because you’re still getting setup, they will find something else to do… which could involve mischief. If they’re out of control before you begin, you will lose a lot of ministry potential. 3. Give them responsibility - A great way to turn this around is to put them in charge of what you’re usually doing when they arrive. If you’re putting out chairs as they walk in, invite them to help and then anoint them as leaders of the chair ministry each week. 4. Introduce structure - Many times students are out of control because of a lack of structure. Adding structural elements to your program, no matter how big or small, will give students something to adhere to. If your program is different every week and is out of control, that could make it difficult for your students to stay focused. An extreme example of structure is a private school with strict rules and uniforms. Although they still have behavioral issues, they will be less in frequency and severity as an underfunded inner-city school with gang problems. When structure and authority (see point number 5 below) are added, the ministry becomes manageable and your efforts can be directed more toward building them into fully devoted followers of Christ instead of hellions that make you want to scream and give up. 5. Assert authority - As a youth leader, you are tasked with helping students connect with each other, grow in their relationship with Christ, serve God in ministry, honor their Creator and reach out to their pre-Christian friends. Students who interfere with your efforts to fulfill these tasks need to be dealt with effectively. If your ministry does not have a discipline policy in place, meet with you Youth Minister to create one. Once you have a plan developed to handle unruly students, you will be equipped to deal with them more effectively. One caveat to the discipline policy is that every step of the way it needs to be geared toward giving students a path toward redemption and being exposed to the love of Christ. If you’re going to last in ministry, you need to have a plan in place to deal with what would try to destroy what God wants to do through you.
This page is designed to inform and educate adults and isn’t meant to endorse any music or movies.
MUSICSPOTLIGHT
Background: On April 19, 2005, after nearly 10 years with Matchbox Twenty, Rob Thomas began his solo career with the release of …Something to Be which shot to #1 on the album chart. This marked the first time a male artist from a rock and/or pop group had debuted at number one with his first solo album since the Billboard Top 200 was introduced 50 years ago. Albums: Cradle Songs (2009), Something to Be (2005) What Parents Should Know: In his music, Thomas bares his soul, often mixing promise and pain within the same song. But the prevailing sense is that good things await those who bear one another’s burdens and refuse to wave the white flag. Young fans of his style may also enjoy ’90s CCM band Big Tent Revival. Ambiguous lines often refer to lovers (“Lonely No More,” “When the Heartache Ends”) and an overnight comforters (“Fallin’ to Pieces”). What Rob Thomas Says: “What we learned here is love tastes bitter when it’s gone.” Discussion Questions: Who do you love the most in this world? Is there anything you could do to make them stop loving you? In what ways have you experienced God’s love? Will God’s love ever run out?
Background: David Crowder began this band after realizing that almost half of Baylor University’s students weren’t attending worship. As a student, he co-founded University Baptist Church and began leading worship and writing songs. The church eventually released an independent CD, followed by more from Sparrow Records. The David Crowder Band is part of the Passion Conferences. Despite extensive touring, the band makes it back to Waco, Texas, almost every Sunday to worship where it all began. The band has received four Dove Awards and remains a top seller on iTunes. Albums: Remedy Club Tour (2008), Remedy (2007), B Collision (2006), A Collision (2005), Sunsets and Sushi (2005) What Parents Should Know: Remedy is a worshipful album focusing on how everyone needs Christ, the ultimate remedy. One reviewer called the album “a great journey through sound, passion, conviction, and exuberance for our risen King!” What Crowder Says: “I’m always aware that first and foremost our function isn’t to express ourselves as artists. We help people articulate their faith.” Discussion Questions: How easy or difficult is it for you to articulate your faith? What methods of worship are you most comfortable with, and why? When you worship, is it mostly for your sake or for God’s? Explain.
Movie: The Pink Panther 2 (releases February 6th) Rating: PG for some suggestive humor, brief mild language and action. Starring: Steve Martin Genre: Comedy Synopsis: When legendary treasures from around the world are stolen, including the priceless Pink Panther Diamond, Chief Inspector Dreyfus is forced to assign Inspector Clouseau to a team of international detectives and experts charged with catching the thief and retrieving the stolen artifacts. Discussion Questions: Have you ever had anything stolen from you? What was it? How did it feel? Did you get it back? How do we steal God’s gifts to us? (Luke 16:1-13)
FEBRUARY2009 1
2
* 5-6th Youth Group * 7-8th Bible Study * 9-12th Adventure Team
3 * Youth Choir
4
5
6
12
13
7
* 5-6th Bible Study * 7-8th Youth Group * 9-12th Youth Group
* Adult Volunteer Gathering
8 * 5-6th Youth Group * 7-8th Bible Study * 9-12th Adventure Team
9 * Study Smarter, Not Harder
10 * Youth Choir
11 * 5-6th Bible Study * 7-8th Youth Group * 9-12th Youth Group
14 Valentine’s Day
** JP Meeting
15
16
* 5-6th Youth Group * 7-8th Bible Study * 9-12th Adventure Team
22 * 5-6th Youth Group * 7-8th Bible Study * 9-12th Adventure Team
17 * Youth Choir
23
24 * Youth Choir
18
19
20
21
26
27
28
* 5-6th Bible Study * 7-8th Youth Group * 9-12th Youth Group
25 * 5-6th Bible Study * 7-8th Youth Group (New Town Wednesday) * 9-12th Youth Group
* Winter Jam
Adult Volunteer Gathering - Sunday, February 1st we will have our first of many monthly adult volunteer gatherings. This will take place immediately after the 2nd worship service. Lunch will be provided. Study Smarter, Not Harder – Monday, February 9th @ 7 pm. Sign up by 2/4 on the youth table or by calling the church office. This is a free event for High School Students Winter Jam – Sunday, February 22nd. This is for all youth and the cost is $10/student. We will leave at 3 pm and return around 10:30 pm. New Town Wednesday – This occurs on the final Wednesday of each month and it is for the 7-8th grade students. We will head over to New Town and have a great experiential outing for the kids.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to talk to me. I can be reached at matt@newtownumc.org or (757) 258-1072
New Town United Methodist Church 5209 Monticello Ave. Williamsburg, VA 23188 (757) 258-1072 newtownyouth.blogspot.com
Matt’s Top Ten Things All Parents Should Know in February 1. A Look Back at the January: In January we had a High School retreat at a cabin in James River State Park. We took 12 youth and had a great time! Adventure Team is an amazing opportunity to draw youth to Christ and to each other. We spent the weekend laughing, snow tubing, and digging deep in the Gospel of John. If your High School aged child isn’t in Adventure Team – I strongly urge you to get them there on Sunday Mornings at 9:15 am 2. Study Smarter, Not Harder: Monday, February 9th Karen Bossieux will be leading a workshop for High School students and parents teaching youth how their brain works best and how they can maximize studying. Please don’t pass this up – Karen is a very gifted counselor and teacher! It will take place at the church from 7:00-8:30 pm and it’s FREE. To reserve your spot please sign up at the youth table or call 258-1072. 3. Adult Volunteer Gathering: Sunday, February 1st after the 2nd worship service we will begin having gatherings for Adult Youth Ministry Volunteers. This will be a time to eat, fellowship, and share what God’s doing in your respective area of ministry. Please plan on attending if you are able. 4. Jeremiah Project Mission Trip Meetings: For those signed up for the Jeremiah Project trip we will have our first meeting for youth Sunday, February 8th between the 2 worship services just to get together, pray, and go over some important dates. Please be there if you are able – we won’t keep you long! 5. Winter Jam: Sunday, February 22nd we will head to Norfolk’s Scope Arena for Winter Jam 2009. This is a great concert featuring Toby Mac and Hawk Nelson. And the best part is – it’s only $10! We will leave the church at 3:00 pm and return no later than 10:30 pm. The only other thing you will need is dinner money - $5. Please sign up at the youth table since car space is limited – this will be a first come first serve basis. For more information, visit www.hearitfirst.com/jamtour/ or watch the video on the youth blog about it. 6. Lay Witness Mission: Friday, March 13 through Sunday, March 15 we will be having a Lay Witness Mission at the church. If you don’t know what a Lay Witness Mission is – it’s a time to eat, hear stories of God’s power, and a chance to gather in small groups. And a very important aspect of the mission is the youth component. The youth will have their own events throughout the weekend. It will be a very special time for the youth – so please plan on being there. 7. Junior High Youth Group Changes: We’ve decided to make some changes at Wednesday J.H. Youth Group. The times will remain the same, but a few important aspects of the format will change. We’re modeling it more after the High School Adventure Team model. We will be going through Acts story by story and at the same time going on monthly events to New Town and planning a bigger event later in the spring for just the Junior High students. We’ve also created a section on the youth blog just for the Junior Highers to keep them up to date with all that will be happening. So if you’re child hasn’t been there in a while – give it a chance and check it out! 8. Youth Ministry Blog: newtownyouth.blogspot.com for all the up to date events and activities as well as a plethora of spiritual growth resources for parents and youth. 9. Spring 2009 Weekly Schedule • Sundays (9:15-10:30 am) o 5-6th Youth Group (Room 139) o 7-8th Bible Study (Room 136) o 9-12th Adventure Team Bible Study (Room 143) • Tuesdays (6:00-6:30 pm) o Youth Choir (Sanctuary) • Wednesdays (6:35-7:30 pm) 5-6th Bible Study (Room 134) 7-8th Youth Group (Room 139) 9-12th Youth Group (Room 143) 10. February Lesson Series: Just so you know what we’re teaching your kids… • 5-6th Grade Youth Group – Pre-Teen Grapple • 5-6th Grade Bible Study – Chronological Look at the Old Testament (Faithweavers Curriculum) • 7-8th Grade Bible Study – Active Bible Studies (by Simply Youth Ministry) • 7-8th Grade Youth Group – ACTS of the Apostles • 9-12th Grade Adventure Team Bible Study – 2 Corinthians • 9-12th Grade Youth Group – Voice of the Martyrs Curriculum