Each week on the Simply Youth Ministry Podcast we’ll feature one question we’re calling the Weigh In question – where we don’t give answers – you do here on the blog! Here’s the first in the new series. Based on the information you’ve been given, what is the correct course of action for this youth worker:
I live in a smaller town in California, we are a rural farming community. The town consists of 75 percent Hispanic families and 25 percent white families. Because of this dynamic the majority of the students in the town are Catholic and and for the most part are not interested in church. We are the biggest Protestant Church in town and the majority of our members are upper middle class and white. Beyond that there is a private school 15 minutes away that many of our church kids attend. How do I do good ministry to my community, and effective outreach in particular, in a community that the majority of my students aren’t a part of but still live in?
JG
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Josh Griffin has been in youth ministry for 15+ years and serves as the High School Pastor at Saddleback Church. [
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Geoff Stewart serves the Jr / Sr High School Pastor at Peace Portal Alliance Church in Surrey B.C.
I grew up in El Paso which demographic wise sounds very similar to this situation….I think one thing you should be doing is to do a lot of involvement in the schools….like eating lunch with the kids you do have (if they allow that)…going to school events and community events….and also doing events that help tie into what the school is doing (ie 5th Quarter, Pre Game Tailgate parties etc),Basically I think really focusing on going outside the church walls to where the kids are would be good instead of focusing on how do I get them to come to us (the church). Hope this helps.
The 1st thing that popped in my mind is similar to what Chris mentioned. My youth program draws from 4 different major high schools. So, in order to get them together was to provide opportunities for community to be built. 1 thing that we have done really well is 5th Quarter. Definitely not a new idea, but it has been a great outreach opportunity for us. I blogged about it and the success we have had with it here – http://www.notamegachurch.com/2009/09/21/bridge-events-that-work-5th-quarter/
A key dynamic is that you have some relationships to start. 5th Quarter was a success and spread because of word of mouth. Kids respected our leaders and wanted to be at a safe place. We were able to build so many great relationships because of this. Just a thought.
Go to them. Become visible outside of the church walls.
Start a Bible study at one of your “non-majority” kid’s house. Become a tutor. Volunteer at concession stands and ticket booths. If your church has the facilities, open it up to the community during the week. Identify the hang out spots, and make regular “coincidental” appearances (passing by on a walk, going to the adjacent store, etc.). And pray, pray, pray. Then tell them you’re praying for them. And pray more.
meet some non-white students. forget about programs for now, invest in people.
i totally agree with all the above answers, the thing that popped into my head was to get your students hearts on board for reaching their community. Teens have an amazing ability to reach other teens. sounds like you have a heart to go out and really help the teens from all walks of life in your community and with the help of leaders (student and adults) you can multiply rather then add to your ministry. when the students and workers catch the dream and all grab a hold of one friend in conjunction with 5th quarters, games, outreach events, paintball etc you can see impact. something that has helped me as i do ministry in my area is with everything it is a process not a decision. so if it doesn’t work thats OK we get to try something new now!
start understanding what life is like as a hispanic teenager. why would s/he want to join your all white youth group? get to know some hispanic community leaders. maybe have lunch with rudy carrasco if you’re in socal. what does salvation look like to this community? read up on immigrant issues; speak out against the ridiculousness in arizona. then you may start to notice small things that your church does that would exclude hispanics, and whether or not it is in your power to change them.
This question is universal to all ministries. How do I reach those who I currently dont reach?
First, start with the students that God has already entrusted you with. Build into them a love for others. Teach them that “God so loved the WORLD”, NOT just their corner of it. Encourage them to reach out to their community.
Secondly, meet needs! Find the needs in the group you want to reach and start meeting those needs with no strings attached. Relationship trumps programing and the way to build relationship is by demonstrating love. If their is a ministry in town already investing in those students, it may be more effective to come along side that ministry than to start form scratch.
Next, expand your program base. Dont start a new hispanic ministry bur rather expand your current programs. A good place to start is a block party at the home of one of your students that lives in an area that is more densly populated with the kids you want to reach. Follow that up with a small group in the same area.
Lastly, go back to number one. Understand that God has given you a ministry to cultivate. Though we desire to reach the entire community for Christ, there are times when are unable to do so. Continue to build bridges into the community but never lose sight of the ministry you already have.
this year one of our local school districts had a teachers aide position opening and my church gave me the green light to apply for the job. The district would not let me have lunch with students on campus, but now they pay me to supervise the lunch room. I see every student on the middle school campus, every day. so maybe one could volunteer at the school for lunch duty or to work the ticket booth at a sporting event or even score board.