I’m excited about the potential of having some of our junior high small group leaders make the jump this year as their students head into their freshman year of high school. I had dinner tonight with a few of them, and as they consider their options, I was thinking about reasons that junior higher leaders moving up to high school makes a ton of sense:
- They have some experience
- They don’t have to start over again
- They’ve developed a heart for these students
- They understand the process
- They know what to expect
- They are committed
- They know what they’re getting into
- They can help students through a challenging transition
- They know the students strengths and weaknesses
Add another reason in the comments!
JG
Josh Griffin has been in youth ministry for 15+ years and serves as the High School Pastor at Saddleback Church. [
Latest Tweet
Geoff Stewart serves the Jr / Sr High School Pastor at Peace Portal Alliance Church in Surrey B.C.
they should also be a known commodity to the parents/family and be a great resource and minister to their family as well.
It would be interesting to hear Kurt’s view on this. As team player I am sure he wants the best for the students, what you are talking about makes a ton of sense…but the bad thing is the poor jr. high guy trains them and he only get s to use them for 2 or 3 years.
A familiar face is always nice when walking into a new place.
This makes a bunch of sense to me.
What you are saying makes a lot of sense but being a jr. high pastor, it is very difficult to see them go. It is already tough to find leaders who want to work with jr. high students, but having to replace them every year is even that much tougher.
Totally agreed … someone post a comment on his blog and ask.
I would guess he would say what’s easier isn’t always what’s best for students. But, VERY sad to see them go.
JG
I think another big advantage that has been alluded to is that the new freshman students know the jr high leader that has been with them 2 or 3 years. The students also have some knowledge of weakness and strength that the jr high leader has. – maybe something for you Josh to add to your interview process of these incoming leaders.
Looking ahead…what about recycling leaders back to Jr. High? As Seniors graduate those leaders could go back and pick up a 7th grade group. That would be an entire youth ministry vision and take some time to set-up long range but may be a way that Jr. High and Sr. High Ministry can work together.
Josh,
Great observations! I’m so excited to see this concept tossed around. Our student ministry has been working like crazy for the past several years build our ministry around leaders who will stay with the same group of 5-10 kids for 7 years from 6-12th grade. I’m happy to say that this kind of strategy seems to “work” even on a larger scale (50 something groups, 80 something leaders).
The only thing I’d add beyond what Jeff mentioned about parents/family is…
10. They get to share even more of their lives with the same kids. (1 Thess. 2:8)
I’ve been with my Junior guys since they were in 6th grade. They’ve seen me follow Christ while I was single, dating, engaged, married, and now parenting. Imagine if every kid in your ministry could have the benefit of an example to follow for 7 years!
P.S. Tell Petty I said “Hi”. I worked with him at Pine Cove and ran in the same crowd a little at A&M.
“…but the bad thing is the poor jr. high guy trains them and he only get s to use them for 2 or 3 years.”
Just another example of the myriad of ways junior high ministries around the country sacrifice for the good of the high school ministry!
Plus, I’m sure Josh is very excited to encourage his 12th grade leaders to circle all the way back around to junior high team (my tongue is in my cheek)!
But seriously, our heart is simply to free our leaders up to do what they feel called to do. We would NEVER require leaders to move up into high school because that would diminish the calling some of them may feel to junior high ministry, but we certainly want them to know that moving up is a great option. I’m not convinced it’s what’s best for all leaders, or even their students (for instance, we absolutely love my daughter’s 8th grade leaders but probably would want her exposed to other caring adults in high school), but when it feels right, we encourage it and cheer them on.
So there you have it! JG
Are you saying you have small group leaders starting in junior high then they continue with the students through high school? that is interesting.
Side note: What is required of your small group leaders?