jordan muck

Once a month we merge both our youth programs (Junior and High School) on the last Sunday of the month.  We started this “program” at the beginning of the year in hopes that we would see the two groups start working together.  The goal of Phat (pretty hot and tempting) Sunday is to see our high schoolers connect with the younger crowd (mentoring and discipleship) while letting the younger crowd realize the high schoolers aren’t as scary as they thought they thought.

In the merge process, we realized it takes a lot to build a team.  Here’s some help for those looking to build community and team involvement in their group.

1. Name Everything - What’s in a name?  Everything.  No matter what we do, it has a name stamped on it.  A name helps to remember the event while shaping what you’re trying to get across.  Having a name helps establish something the students can be proud of.  (This is also a good way to market, as soon as you name something you can put it on anything; t-shirts, notepads, pens, etc.  Putting something in your young peoples hands will get the name out.  This leads to people being curios and will lead them to take interest in what you’re doing.
2. Cast Vision well – Ask yourself, “Why are we doing this event? Why are these people coming together? How does this fit into the overall vision of the ministry?”  Communicate what you are trying to accomplish.  Every time we meet as a group, our vision is casted in a clear, simple manner.  The young people understand the point to our ministry and they want a part in it.  So often youth pastors just “do” ministry and forget their is a point and people behind it.  Figure out the point and share it with the students as much as you can.  Do everything possible to help them catch it; Write the vision down in a unique way, draw pictures, use powerpoints, etc.  Ask good questions and reflect on the young peoples understanding of the vision. Use every means at your command to make sure everyone really “gets it”.
3. Focus on Who is There – To build a team you have to use the people that are there.  It’s impossible to build community with people who are absent.  Take the focus of who of not is at your meeting and focus on who is.  Young people want you to notice them.  They want your attention.  They came for a reason.  This means that if you want to build a team and solid community, you must focus on the people who are present for that meeting.  A simple concept that is always overlooked.
4. Reward Everyone – The quickest way to kill a group feeling is for the leader to take credit alone.  Glory always goes to God first but everyone who had a part in what was accomplished likes to hear it they help.  Reward everyone equally from time to time.  Tell them how proud you are or give small gifts when something is accomplished.

There is so much that can be done to build a team and community.  What are you doing to build community in your ministry?

-Jordan