A few months back I wrote a post about the need for us to be in schools and the reality that we have a tonne to offer schools. With the knowledge that schools are becoming increasingly cautious and sometimes hostile towards the Church and the optics of having us visit the school, we have built a solid case for how we can benefit the life of the school while honoring and respecting their rules and apprehensions. This is a great week to send an email to the administration at your local school(s) and see if you can’t be a part of what is happening there.
This year for our ministry has had a ramped up focus on our local high schools that we feel is the final frontier of the student mission field. We have 3 major schools on the peninsula that our church is on, encompassing 4000+ students, a very daunting figure. But what an opportunity, and lets face it, students are not flocking to the Church with questions and concerns anymore so its all the more important that we be where they are. The problem is that many schools are phasing out or not allowing Youth Pastors or religious groups to be present in the school anymore.
We recently encountered one of these schools and it took 9 months of emails, follow up calls and persistence to get a meeting with the administration. In that meeting we presented what I felt was a well thought out case as to why the school needs us as much as we need them and here is what we brought to the table.
Promise not to Promote: This was the disarming opening to the conversation, as we said in no uncertain terms that we would not advertise, promote or invite any students to our program, nor would be bring in any fliers, candy or any other bribe into the school. This is non-negotiable for both the school and us because we are not the missionaries doing the heavy lifting just the supportive spotters.
Commitment to Connect: The transition into High School for some is easy and for others it can be painful and lonely. For students that have trouble making meaningful connections early in their high school career, they can end up making unhealthy connections with the first people that will talk to them. We committed to being a connector of students, being present in the first weeks of the school year and throughout the year with the intention of helping students make meaningful friendships with other teens involved in the ministry. For the school, the idea of having someone partner with them in helping students make a more successful and less stressful transition into the school was a huge plus.
Heart of Encouragement: There is something about affirming words from someone you respect that speaks to the heart on a different level. As Youth Workers, we are not parents nor are we teachers and because of our unique relationship with students, the words we say speak volumes to students. The look on our students faces when they see us walking down the hall is priceless, unless of course they are avoiding me (which happens too). A youth worker going out of their way to visit a school tells a student that they matter.
Respect: High School principals in many cases are public enemy number one, and we all know that students love to rally around a cause and in a school that can be despising leadership. Our role needs to be one where we come alongside the administration and our students and in the midst of frustrations that students may have that we will encourage them to submit to the authority that the school has (1 Peter:2:13-14) over them. Modeling respect for the school’s administration is important and the administration will love to know that we are not undermining anything that they are doing.
Relationship: Youth Workers have a relationship with students that the schools just cannot offer and for that reason we can be really helpful. Our voice is unique, and unlike parents or teachers, students choose to spend time with us and for that reason, the respect that they have for us is often earned and not expected. Our opinions, concerns and thoughts are influential in the lives of our students and as often as parents call on us to walk beside their students in times of trial, I suggested schools could do the same. In our meeting with the school we provided a comprehensive list of all the students who were a part of their school and active at our youth group. We proposed that we would be available if they became concerned with any of our students and we could come along side the family and school and working through whatever the issues might be. This was a big seller for the school, as it became very clear that being in the school was about mentoring and investing in our students, not recruiting and proselytizing the lost.
I am so convicted of the value that investment of just one hour per school every two weeks can have in the spiritual life of our students, the perceptions of Christianity and Pastors to their friends, and the opportunities that we will have to live out a relationship with Christ to the teachers and administration of the schools we are serving. This is the case for getting into the schools and if you read my previous article you can read about the benefits to your ministry of being at the school. This is a huge win for both the schools and us as Youth Workers.
-Geoff
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Josh Griffin has been in youth ministry for 16+ years in a small church and a big church. He currently serves as the High School Pastor at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, CA. [
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Geoff Stewart serves the Jr / Sr High School Pastor at Peace Portal Alliance Church in Surrey B.C.
Chris Wesley serves as the Director of Student Ministry at Church of the Nativity in Timonium, Maryland.
Colton Harker serves with Josh at Saddleback Church. He is currently in his second year in youth ministry.
I fully agree Geoff, I have a great relationship with the (essentially) one school district that our church is connected with. Because I minister in my hometown I have had a great relationship with our schools and haven’t had to “work” to get on campus but doing many of the things you’ve outlined has been the key to maintaining a great relationship with our administration and staff (doesn’t hurt to have principals and school board memebers as part of your congregation as well). When you can show them that you are there for the students and have very similar goals and purposes as the school, not a self promoting agenda, I think most schools would welcome you with open arms.
I would love to know more about what you guys are doing, Geoff. We’re focusing this year on building that relationship with the school in our town, and setting up the long term goal of getting into more of our schools, but with essentially a 2 year process for each school, first year loving on them as much as possible so they know our hearts when we ask to partner with them in year 2. Starting that with our most local high school this year, so interested in as many ideas that actually work and arent lame.
I too would like to know what you are doing. What does this ministry/program look like? I just started at a church and would like to figure out ways to reach the school!
I would like more information about what you’re doing as well!
@Steven @Hannah @Ben We have had to tip toe lightly, and honour every commitment that we made but the what is in it for us is huge. Here is a article I wrote about it a few months ago.
The start of the new school year has meant that the process of reintroducing myself to our local high school’s administrators has begun as I re-explain my motives and purpose for visiting the high schools. It is a lot of work, but the fruit that comes of it is immeasurable. Here are 3 reasons why we do it.
Encouragement & Support: Showing up at a high school, walking down the hallway, and remembering a student’s name is a powerful thing to them. You are telling them that they matter. They might be having a bad day, but you arriving on their turf, just to visit, can provide a huge boost. Pulling them aside and praying for them or just being interested in what is happening says a lot to a student that feels invisible in a school of 2000+ people (this is assuming that every youth goes to a school of 2000+). Talk about being like Christ, showing up where people are at, in their school. It’s really enjoyable to see students in “their natural environment.”
Connection: Showing up in the school gives me face time with students I would likely never have the opportunity to spend time with, and for a student that has not shown up at our program for a few weeks, it might be an opportunity to reconnect, check in, and find out what is going on. Perhaps there is something they need prayer about. Just this week, I went to a local school to meet up with a student that was struggling to transition into high school. I met up with her and happened to bump into another student (God moment) who just moved here and was in the same boat. We hung out, ate lunch, they swapped numbers, and the rest, well, we’ll see…
Conversation Catalyst: We do not hand anything out while visiting school, nor do we invite anyone to our youth group because that is not my role. My absolute favorite byproduct of visiting the high schools is that I will often meet groups of two or three of our students and inevitably one or two of their friends who are not connected to the Church. We shoot the breeze, talk about their weeks, how school is going etc., give them a high five, and that’s it. But what happens after is incredible, because afterwards I often here, these words.
“Who was that?”
“Oh, that’s my Youth Pastor, Geoff”
“Youth Pastor? You go to church?”
“Yeah, I do…”
I don’t always know where those conversations go, if they end quickly or carry on, but I do know that many friends of students that I met have started attending our youth group, been connected, and given their lives to Christ.
Visiting the high schools can be time consuming, and for some really intimidating, but what an encouragement we can be to students, and from what I have seen even help important conversations about God happen, just by being there. Make time for it. It’s incredibly important to be in the schools if they are willing to let us in
A few years ago, I had the principle approach me about starting, what he called a “youth group” at school. When I asked him about what he meant, he told me that there were hurting students that the school simply didn’t have the programs or resources to reach. I told him I would be willing to sit down and talk through what that might look like.
For the past two years, I have met with a group of 8 students the last hour of the school day, once a week. The purpose of the group is to allow these students a chance to connect and be heard. We often talk about the stress causers in their lives, which usually has to do with their family life. These students really seem to enjoy our time, and not just because they get out of an hour of school a week.
What I have seen as a result to this time in the school has been significant to say the least. Never have I promoted an event or our ministry with students… I didn’t even tell them I was a youth pastor, I let them find out from others. Now they all call me PC (pastor Chris). There were students last year that would look for me Thursdays after school, because they knew I was around. When students from outside our ministry visit, they have a face they are familiar with because they see me around each week.
Maybe the biggest win though is the relationship I have built with the administration. I usually stop by their offices either before or after group each week. We catch up on sports, talk about the school sports and about what is happening in the school. They are not only open sharing about what is going on, but they value my opinion and advice. They also help me to see some of the needs of students in our area.
Being in the school has been a big asset to our ministry! If there is a way, get on the campus. They may not let you come in for lunch hour, but maybe they are looking for volunteers at dances, sporting events, or, in my case, leading a group at the school. What a great extension of any student ministry…
An added bonus – I collect money from our students who owe me for events… Seems like I am always walking out of the school with money for the next event… or a signed parent form.
@Chris you are in a lucky group, we had to fight our way back in after being kicked out. Keep doing what you are doing!