Innovation in Keeping the Attention of Youth

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Permalink Reply by Erica M. Wilson on August 30, 2008 at 7:35pm

A couple of things we are working on are outreach ministries and social and religious gatherings. I'm also working on our tutoring team to encourage in education. I had a group set up last year. I had parents and kids ask about it but no one showed up. We are looking into the outreach ministries and I realize we have to teach them ministry. We have social gatherings a lot. We have a school supply giveaway next Sat. Our next gathering will be for Halloween. We call it our Hallelujah Celebration. One of the things we have realized is that we need the parents to be interested because the kids don't drive themselves to events.

Permalink Reply by Vince McCaskill on August 30, 2008 at 8:31pm

It is hard especially when parents are not involved. I think the key here is to adapt to the situation using the tools in front of us. We do not have to conform to the world's way of doing things, however, we must use the tools to get the world to see the truth and the light. Engaging youngsters is a tremendous challenge especially when we are competing in a 21st century society for their attention. One pastor said to me that we can no longer use 8 track technology in an Mp3 society. The key is to use what they like to get them in the door. If they like to play the WII's and other things, maybe the church cn create a game room of sorts that could be used to draw them in. If kids love to be on the computers, then there ought to be something we can do that is Christ centered using the computers as the hook. The enemy is using everything to attack our youth. We must flip the script and use these resources for God...ultimately transforming lives. just my two cents. Keep up the good work you are doing with your ministry.

Permalink Reply by Alvin L. Abston I on August 30, 2008 at 8:57pm

Let's face it.. the youth of today are only interested in things they can call fun. We have to be creative in the areas in which we are trying to lead them. The word of God has not nor will not change.so therefore we have to find a language in which to "reach" our youth. Tell the story without some of the "thy[s] and thee[s]! yet leave the "meat" of the message in full view! I taught Sunday school for about 21/2yrs and found that "roll playing" got the children into the "word" with a smoother transition. Give them fun activities to do during class time and as they grow [in age as well as the word] we can scale down these tactics. Our children are just that.. CHILDREN ....THEY AREN'T SUPPOSE TO GO RIGHT INTO EATING MEAT.. THEY MUST BE WEENED OFF OF LIQUIDS AND TRANSITION INTO SOLIDS.

As for ways to get them into church so they can be taught, I like to use SPORTS as a means to reach them. I find that if you ask any child; he or she like to play some type of sport. Whatever that sport is..never tell a child that they are "wasting" their time with that and they will never "make it" with sports as a dream. Our country was built on nothing but dreams! Who are we to say how the out come may be? Besides sports helps build confidence,character,discipline and co-ordination.
All of these things each person will need through out life. Please let's support our youth and reach out to assist them in reaching their goal...just maybe in doing so they will reach ours....thanks for your time... I'm out.

Permalink Reply by Vince McCaskill on August 30, 2008 at 10:32pm

Great points Alvin! Thank you. Be Blessed

Permalink Reply by CYNTHIA B. KEYES on September 27, 2008 at 12:06pm

I am the President of the Youth Dept at Promise Land Church of Christ. We have sunday school,bible study. sleep overs, summer trips, youth conferences, youth day. We also participate on New Years Eve service. The Youth put on Skits and songs. They perform in Easter Programs and Christmas Programs and The Lord always give me a skit for the children, they like the skits that the Lord gives to me better than the skits that come in the books. We have the boys to Men ministry and We are just begiining to start the SIsta-Sista Ministry., We have Praise Dancers. We have the youth choir and praise team. We try very hard to keep the youth busy because if we don't the devil will. We all know that the Devil is defeated.