This week in our small group training my goal was to emphasize the culture of relational youth ministry. Ryanne (volunteer coordinator) and I started with agreeing on a definition first:

Relational Youth Ministry is any step toward building a relationship with a student in your small group. It could be big, it could be small – either way, it is an effort toward truly living in community and sharing life together.

I want our ministry to be known for this! I want our students known, loved and cared for. It all takes time – but not as much as you might think. You went to a students’ water polo game? Amazing. You couldn’t make it to the game, but sent them a text asking if they won or not? Still incredible. You thought about them, or prayed for them while they played? I’ll take it! Leaders this week talked about simple ways they connected with students – from road trips to camp outs, from birthday parties to a “good luck on the SAT” text. All make a difference and build relationship.

Too often we default to the big ideas and instead should be happy with any and all steps. Some weeks they’ll be huge steps. Some weeks, small. Some – even backward. As a small group leader, commit to relational youth ministry and build community with the students God has entrusted to you!

At the end of the training, we gave out Make Their Day, a resource from Simply Youth Ministry/Group that helps give leaders ideas to affirm and connect with the kids in their small groups. Fun night!

JG