Turning Off the Scoreboard

One of the most difficult issues facing youth ministry is trying to evaluate success. We need to rethink the way we do student ministry and revolutionize the scoring system if we hope to truly impact this generation. Based upon new research in youth development this break out session will help you identify the real goals for your ministry and help you develop strategies that will empower your students to find their own voice in leadership.

**I have to thank Theresa K. Sullivan from the University of Minnesota for the framework for youth development and the Gallup organization for helping in the framing of the questions.

The church has a great heart, but they are not good at measuring results. Too often our scoreboard has been used to evaluate the leader and hasn’t been focused on developing the students.

Youth ministry models need to move from being achievement focused to formation driven

I.                    Relational Foundation

Relationships with parents and other caring adults helps create a secure platform from which students can launch into adulthood.

Goal is to move from a 1 to 5 ratio to a 5 to 1 ratio

II.                  Creating Community

Three Keys to Creating Community:

1.       We need to see ourselves as environmentalists and not programmers

2.       We need to tell a great story

3.       We need to help remove barriers

Spiritual growth will be limited until they can say they have a “best friend” in the group

        Key Questions:

·         As a part of this youth group I know what is expected of me.

·         There are at least two adults this church that care for me as a person

·         I have someone I consider a best friend at this youth group

Ultimately students need a place where they can say “I Belong”

The Leader’s role is to: Invite & Engage

Tell your students – “Without you our story is less.”

III.                Fueling Students Passions

The greatest room for improvement in your student’s lives is their greatest strengths. Therefore, the church should be the one place in life where every student can do what they do best.

For passion to be ignited there must be a high degree of commitment.

        Key Questions:

·         My faith is involved in every part of my life

·         At youth group/church I have a chance to do what I do best

·         In the last six months someone at church has talked to me personally about my spiritual growth

Ultimately students need a place where they can say “I Believe”

The Leader’s role is to: Model & Motivate

We cannot manufacture a change in desires – only the Holy Spirit can do that.

IV.                Finding Their Voice

Too often we tell students what they should become and too seldom do we listen to who they really are.

Helping students discover their voice is like unleashing super powers that cannot be contained.

Gillian Lynne – Choreographer for Cats & Phantom of the Opera

Do you have a “common language” that helps to encourage the formation of their strengths?

        Key Questions:

·         During the last month someone in the youth group has complimented me

·         In this group my opinion is listened too and taken seriously

·         I will take unpopular stands to defend my faith

Ultimately students need a place they can identify as the place where “I Become”

The Leader’s role is to:  Listen & Encourage

V.                  Empowering Leadership

We are transitioning from ministry “for” students to ministry “with” students.

Students need to learn how encounter a need that they see in such a way as to affect change. In order for them to grow in this we need to develop the power to “get out of the way.”

        Key Questions:

·         The mission of our youth group makes me feel like my participation is important

·         The other students are committed to making a change in this world

·         I am a spiritually committed person

Ultimately students need a place where they encounter challenges and can say “I Begin” to overcome

The Leader’s role is to: Empower & Release