True, teens do experience real life. Pregnancies, addictions and empty spiritual homes are experiences all too real to teens. So real that it affects them for the rest of their lives. The affects are so large because that bubble burst. Bubbles are good for baths, protection, and may even provide a safe, or sterile environment to learn that formula to ease teens into adulthood and responsibility. But life, adolescent life, spiritual life shouldn’t always be in a bubble.

What inadvertently has happened is our youth are growing in their faith but it is often outside of the church family. When these youth grow into adulthood, very often the transition into the church family doesn’t happen and these now young adults are lost to the church. Maybe you too have heard other ministers describe youth ministry as “orphaning structures.” Why do your youth disappear after confirmation, or graduation?

It is because the now young adult’s only connection to the church hasn?t been grown. Fear plays a huge part in the success of or failure of youth ministry.

Fear of what?

Fear of being laughed at, not accepted, rejection, etc?..

What causes the behind youth ministry to be fixing what is broken, when in fact the ministry was never broken at all.

My wife Tracey and I have rescued dozens of teens through Christ from making bad choices, cutting, drinking, drug use, parent teen relationships, and bringing them closer to their Savior Jesus. This was not accomplished through a curriculum, or by becoming substitute for the church. Our volunteer efforts encouraged parents since most of the latter do not provide the spiritual direction and accountability that their children need.

But there is a problem here: kids take their cues from their family, not from their youth ministers. God’s plan was for the church to support the family, and for the family to be the front-line of ministry within the home.

Teenagers may glean some truths and principles from youth leaders, but the greatest influence in their lives will remain their parents.” “What are youth ministries doing to serve families? They are too busy to serve, and Mom and Dad are okay with this.

You may have parents who feel intimidated by your talented youth worker so they only drop their youth off for the youth meetings and do little else in the area of spiritual training?

Or have you had parents complain about the talented youth worker because he/she is not teaching their children the way they or the Pastor?s would like?

It is time to bring the parents back into youth ministry.

It is also time to bring the entire church family back into youth ministry.

How you do this can take many forms. This is a working resource adding new ideas and new resources from people who are trying out this new youth ministry model. We are here to help and inspire.

Brian Arthur Lampe
Tracey Lampe
CEO Ministries

?It is God?s desire for our each us to live a Christ-like life.? Brian Arthur and Tracey Lampe are currently leading students into a passionate relationship with Jesus Christ by simply leading by example. ?The time we spend with them makes an impact on them now and assists them in experiencing eternal life today which is Jesus.?

They also offer a wide range of activities such as camps, conventions, retreats and social gatherings. Tracey and I are currently involved in a youth ministry mind-set at St Paul?s Lutheran church in Muskego, WI which executes the five areas of Jesus ministry. Below is an outline of our current ministry plan. We are available to help your congregation establish a student ministry upon request. (Please don?t compare your youth group to the group we’re leading. We have been working at this for six years and it has been a slow growth process.)

STP God?s Warriors

1)Sunday Youth “STP Breakfast Club” Bible Class. (Ministered)#Video DVD Clips topical to the current venue#Audio Upbeat Christian music (cleared by leadership)#Snacks prepared by different teens each week. We cook frozen pizza?s, popcorn, bagels and sometimes pancakes and sausages. Beverages are also provided. A small donation from the teens is requested to help cover the expenses.

2)Small Group-Getting Intimate with God.

(Edified ) One leader per 10 teen students, Lead Bible discussion bi-weekly at your leader or students home. This is so easy, and curriculum can be provided by our staff.

3) Activities (Fellowshipped) Large crowd/Once a month Most church youth groups exist on the this one premise. It?s necessary but fulfilling God?s purpose is more than just hanging out.

4)Service Projects (Evangelism) Once a month together with activities. There are plenty of people in and outside our churches that need help. Start asking around your church!

How many of us have said at one or more times in our life that ?we just didn?t get anything from church today? I am guilty. Praise God for showering me with His love, grace, and mercy. When we worship God in a church we are to do it with a ?renewed mind in Christ? Romans 12:1.

5) Church Attendance (Worshipped) Going to church is commanded by God. I used to think if I simply attended weekly worship, I was doing God a favor. Worship honestly is a set time, and place where believers gather together and give back to God. Here are the basics of what we give to God through weekly worship;

1)We sing, hymns,

2)offer up prayers,

3)sing psalms,

4)offer up our tithes, and

5)confess our sins.

That?s five things we are giving to God in one worship service.

Here a list of things we receive from attending church;

1) Absolution, forgiveness, and possibly peace for our sins that we committed during the week,

2)the sacrament of Holy Communion, and

3) the message from our Pastor.

Three things is what we truly receive from weekly worship, in Acts 2:42-47 these five facets of health are mentioned: They fellowshipped, edified each other, worshipped, ministered, and evangelized. As a result, verse 47 says, “And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

If you don?t have a church your regularly worshipping at, we encourage you to find a Bible based church that holds to the true teaching of God?s Word. Be careful and check the doctrine closely.

Student Personal Pledge;

The following is a personal pledge for each student to read in addition to their Bible to simply remind them of their faith; Trusting in my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for strength in all that I do, and that it?s God?s Holy Spirit that enables me to make this promise to Him I will strive for obedience in every facet of my life, and do whatever He would have me do to fulfill His purpose.

Make it a rule of my life to pray and to listen to God speak to me through the His Word everyday, and with His help not give in to temptation so freely.

Support the work and maintain weekly worship and Bible class in my own church in every way possible, even when I?m tired from a long weekend.

In so far as my knowledge, wisdom, and insight allow, I will endeavor a pilgrimage to lead a committed Christian life glorifying God in all that I do.

Christians are called to reach out to the world they live in. Volunteering some of your time to outreach activities can be very rewarding both for you and the people you help. Most times actions speak louder than words when you are trying to witness to people. Participating in outreach activities can help show the world around you Christ?s love. (John 3:16) Here are some outreach activities you can get started in our youth group:

Assisted Living/Nursing Home Ministry

People in nursing homes tend to be lonely and disconnected from the world. You can contact various nursing homes in your area to see what types of activities you can do with the residents there. You can get your group together to read stories, write letters, just talk, put on skits, and more.

Homeless Ministry

There are so many homeless people roaming the streets.

You can contact a local homeless shelter to see what you can do to participate.

Tutoring/Mentoring

You don?t have to be a genius to help out young kids with their homework. Some kids just don?t get the attention or help they need. You can contact social services in your area to see what they are doing in certain neighborhoods for kids. Work with the neighborhood centers to set up tutoring in low-income neighborhoods.

Project/Craft Donation

Are there some students in your youth group that like to sew, knit, paint, etc. There are programs that knit hats and scarves for the needy, sick, or even our military over-sea?s. There are also organizations that need blankets and clothing. See if your fellow craft-minded teens would like to get involved.

Festival/Prom Dress Exchange

Prom season can be rough on teens that don’t have a lot of money to buy new dresses. You can start a prom dress exchange so that people who need a new dress can get one for free. You can also do a donation to teens that need a dress and cannot buy one. It is also a great to get, and be involved.

Christmas Tree/Gift Delivery

Sometimes families cannot afford a tree or they cannot transport trees on their own. Your youth group can get together to deliver Christmas trees to local families.

Holiday Dinner Delivery

See if you can get families in your church to donate turkeys or money to buy turkeys and then offer to deliver them to needy families. Just be sure if you are delivering items to dangerous areas that you go with a leader, or even ask for police support. You always want to be safe.

Town/Road Clean Up

If you see an area that needs some work, you can contact an official there to see if there is something you can do about it. Contact your police or public works department to see about cleaning up playgrounds, painting over graffiti, etc. Talk to you elementary schools to check into painting a mural. Make your town more colorful and clean. People will notice your efforts.

Reading Program

Little kids love when people read to them. Pre-schoolers will crawl in your lap and just eat it up. It also helps to promote literacy. Check with local pre-schools, neighborhood centers, and libraries to see if there is a time your youth group can come in to read to the children. Your group can read both Christian and Non-Christian books and act out skits to entertain the kids.

Personal Service Day

You can set up a service outreach group at your church for Service Days. On those days you can help a specific individuals like seniors, veterans, single moms, etc. You can cook, clean, do the shopping, etc. for those people who need it. Have people sign up for services or contact members of the church to help out.

While all of these ideas are excellent outreach opportunities, there are plenty more out there. If your church is doing an outreach program, God be Praised! If you have any ideas, let us know so we can get working on helping you execute your Christ Empowered Opportunity.