Our “neck of the woods” is busy and bustling with excitement and energy this week as the NASCAR universe prepares for its race at Pocono. Every hotel room for miles around is full and the highways are already jammed with race fans crowding into Northeastern Pennsylvania for this weekend’s annual event.
It’s always interesting to watch the sleepy countryside of this region’s Pocono and Endless Mountains come alive in preparation for the huge onslaught of NASCAR enthusiasts and consumers. There are car races each weekend somewhere during the summer, but on this particular weekend our area plays host – and Pennsylvanians are getting ready for the big race.
Since it is already the beginning of August, this weekend always reminds me of the preparations youth workers should be working on now to welcome students into the Fall programs which will be starting in just a few, short weeks. Here are 5 quick ideas to help you think through your preparations as you gear up for Fall:
1. Make the time for individual appointments with incoming students.
If you haven’t done this yet this summer, take the next few weeks to meet individually with your group’s incoming new students. These appointments would be the ideal time to welcome individual kids into the group and to share your vision for the church’s youth ministry with them. Of course, this would also be the perfect time to talk to each teen personally about their salvation experience and their personal walk with God.
2. Make the effort for a renewed “splash” for your Fall events.
Someone once said, “It it’s important, it’s worth talking about.” I am a firm believer in promotion and advertising, but not in a “consumeristic” or carnal way. It’s a good idea to promote your Fall program in order to create energy and enthusiasm for what you are trying to accomplish this year in your ministry. Some youth workers repaint or redecorate the youth room, others send out creative promotional pieces. The important thing to remember is that what you are trying to do to minister to and to reach out to kids is important. Treat it as if it is important!
3. Make sure to communicate your plans to the parents of teenagers.
Work hard right now to develop a plan to regularly communicate the details of your Fall program to the parents of teenagers. Send out e-mails, develop a group Facebook page, put stuff in the church bulletins, obtain the parents cell phone numbers and send them text messages, etc. Do whatever you can to put the most information you can into the hands of parents. Let’s face it; they will never really be on your side unless they know what is going on.
4. Make the commitment to see how your plans fit in with the overall plans of the church.
Take the time to meet with your senior pastor to go over your plans for the Fall with him. It will help him to know what is going on and it will help you see what his plans are for the big-picture of your church’s ministry. Be prepared and be willing to tweak your ideas some to fit in with his philosophy of what he wants for the church.
5. Make sure to cover your Fall program in prayer!
Now’s the time to commit everything you want to do this Fall to the Lord and to ask for His blessing! It’s also imperative that you meet with the other members of your youth ministry’s leadership team to encourage them to pray specifically for the teens this Fall. I also encourage youth workers to meet with your church’s senior citizens to ask them to pray specifically and individually for the students. Do whatever you can to recruit prayer warriors for the youth ministry!
Thanks for reading. It’s time to gear up for Fall!
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