Giving youth pastors the tools they need to make and shape disciples.

My Top Five Foundation Builders For Youth Ministry

8 · 06 · 10

It’s simple, you can’t build a 2200 sq. ft house on a 100 sq. ft foundation and yet we have all tried.

You’ve tried to build your youth ministry on hype but hype is short lived. Those who want to build their youth ministry large, must build the foundations wider and deeper. Scripture says,

“When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?” Psalm 11:3

Here are my top five foundational builders

Doctrine

I cannot emphasize enough how important this is. If we are not teaching our students biblical beliefs we are building on sand. Storms will come and if our students are banking on our next worship services to get them by, we are in trouble. Try teaching through the Apostles Creed for a semester. Doctrine is the steel that is laid throughout the foundation to tie it all together.

Relationships

Go to that wedding, that funeral , even if you don’t have to. It’s foundational. You are showing that you care about more than just your youth ministry but a whole church family. Keep your relationships with parents, staff, and students hot. Make that phone call, post on social when kids succeed, send that e-mail to parents, it matters. Ministry doesn’t happen without relationships because ministry is relationships.

Vision

Where are you going? Where are you promising to take them ? What has God put on your heart and what has He shown you in His word? Organizations need vision. Make it plain and then follow up with the steps to make it happen.

Execution

Make a big promise. Do what you promised. Nothing will send cracks through your foundation quicker than unfulfilled promises. You have to do the work, plan the thing, do the thing and then make another big promise.

“No excuses. No explanation. You don’t win on emotion. You win on execution.” – Tony Dungy

Mentoring

If you are not training students to lead, don’t unpack, you won’t be at you church long. You must have a plan and a path to lead students along. Weekly meetings with key students (see #2) and empowering them to do all that God has put on their hearts (see #3) will only strengthen the foundation. Don’t do a for a student what you can train a student to do.

Let me know, what’s been foundational for you.

I’d love to help you build a solid foundation for your youth ministry so I’ve saved you a seat in my Ministry Minded Coaching Group. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact me: thediscipleproject@gmail.com

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