This week in one of our student ministries meetings we talked about working together more effectively with our regional campus youth ministries. Saddleback has become a church of multiple locations, and now four student ministries are learning to work as one. Here’s what we’re thinking as we move ahead:

Add regional campuses to the existing processes – this one seems obvious, but it isn’t always easy or our first thought after working autonomously for years. We’re used to planning for HSM Lake Forest and crafting messages for that single audience. That is no longer the case. How do things have to change with another congregation in the mix? So far mission trips, events and camp seem to need to change the most, the key is to get everyone into the conversation from the beginning.

Give permission for everyone to be proactive – with multiple lead youth pastors in the mix now, we have to give everyone the freedom to speak up and jump into every conversation. If you didn’t get on a meeting invitation, invite yourself and make sure you represent the other regionals, too. Nothing is sacred or off limits.

Appoint a regional campus czar – today we asked one of the regional campus pastors to be the official lead on this emphasis – to jump into meetings and be available to represent all regionals as much as possible. Essentially we want someone who helps the mothership consistently think about regionals.

We’ve still got a ways to go figuring this out! If you’re starting to or already working with youth ministry regional campuses, follow our regional guys on Twitter and learn together.

JG