4 Phrases I Say Every Weekend

Josh on January 21st, 2009

Been thinking about some core value phrases I want to say every weekend in our high school ministry weekend service. I might not say these words exactly, but I want the spirit of these to out in the wild each week. Here’s what I’m thinking is most important to mention every weekend:

“everyone with a name tag is safe” – I want students to know that while there are many adults in the building, the ones with the lanyards and name tags are caring youth workers. We have many great adults in the room, but often times because they are not on stage students don’t default their way. I want them to look for the name tag and know they can get help, prayer or at least get pointed to the restrooms.

“we were the first to get here today and we’ll be the last to leave” – I want students to know they’re not just attending a program or a production, but that the service is a means to learn and grow in their faith but also open a conversation with people further along in their spiritual journey. I want students to know nothing is more important than they are, so if they need to talk someone will be there.

“if it is your first time or your millionth time … welcome” – I want to make sure we always remember from the top down that this is our entry-level program. We expect visitors every service. We expect people to bring their friends. We want them to know this is a safe place to learn about God, whether you’re checking God out or sold out to Him.

“take a next step” – the weekend is the beginning, and I hope students don’t just stay there. For some, the next step is a small group. For the connected, the next step is growing on their own. For the growing, the next step is geting involved in ministry and so on. The message often times includes a next step as well. And either way, it should be clear that students need to be moving forward.

What else should we say every week?

JG

Comments (10)

Ben Komanapalli at 6:33am January 21

Thanks for that Josh! i think I am going to start using some of these myself. I do use some but I need to be more regular and intentional.

Grant at 11:56am December 24

We remind our students each week that one of the most important things we are about is having fun. It is such an important value that we wrote it into each part of our ministry plan this year.