Starting a new Jr. High Program. How to get attendance? - MinistryQuestions.com | Ministry questions, answers, advice, and input from other ministry workers

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Starting a new Jr. High Program. How to get attendance?

We've started a Jr. High small group program and struggling to get students involved. Currently the only good time we have for our small groups is at 3:30 on Sunday afternoons. That doesn't seem to be the problem.

The problem is that the students just don't want to come. We have an AMAZING youth center with a ton to do here and we've got a good program. We even provide rides to and from church!

But between sports, homework, school, stuff at home, and all the other stuff to take up a day, church is the first thing to get cut.

How have you dealt with the competition of so many different things to get kids to show up?

EDIT: Yes I know it's all about relationships. But when it comes down to it, we are still expected to run a program.

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1 year ago

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junior

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0 Votes Do you have a budget? Do a couple free events that are worth coming to. An events were you offer free pizza (try to get the best pizza in town vs Domino's or Papa John's). Do soemthing thay starts a buzz. Invite students to lunch, go to their school for lunch. Have vision night (or two nights - one for students one for parents) where y ou share with students why what the church is doing is important and sharing with parents why they should send their kids. by uthguy9 1 year ago by uthguy9 1 year ago
0 Votes I came into the church in a DEAD youth program with 3 students left and all were looking to leave. Now it's at over 50 and growing every week. As you pointed out it does take relationship...but give it time to cultivate allow the students to know that you are trustworthy and you care. The other is to constantly talk to them, call them, text them and remind them to come. Talk to the parent's as well about your concerns. Build on what you have already...take this opportunity to build your core, talk to them about the importance of accepting others as family, and then as each new person new comes in they're instantly hooked. Finally...but it IS THE FIRST thing is to be in prayer for the group and for yourself...for God to lead not you. by az003590 1 year ago by az003590 1 year ago
0 Votes yes relationships are super important but lets face it for the most part we work with programs because that is the way our culture is. so how do you get student to attend. You have to provide something they want and/or need. so you may have to start with two or three students and they will spread the word if what is being done is building relationships and giving them real help with real life. by Bruiseman 1 year ago by Bruiseman 1 year ago
0 Votes Are the small groups in addition to something you are already doing? What is the purpose of having small groups? Maybe the students don't want an AMAZING youth center and want the opportunity to put their faith into practice. Start planning things outside of themselves that they can be involved in. Serve the community. Make the ministry you are asking them to be a part of something that is essential in their minds for them to do. Not just another thing that the church says I need to do. by rooster 1 year ago by rooster 1 year ago
0 Votes I think you need to leave the programs and go for relationships. Get a team together and start praying, then get out and meet students. If you already have some students who are committed to the program, use them. Volunteer at the school, meets the teachers, go to the sports events or whatever gets you in contact with students. Programs are great but you will never compete in that sense. Students really do want relationships with adults, so you need to start there. This will not be a fast process but if you start right, it will work. by Soulshaper 1 year ago by Soulshaper 1 year ago
0 Votes best thing i ever learned was that programs dont solve problems. this could be an issue bigger than just kids apathy. start to do research. talk to staff, parents and students. past students who recently graduated. by pjwong 1 year ago by pjwong 1 year ago

Votes

Do you have a budget? Do a couple free events that are worth coming to. An events were you offer free pizza (try to get the best pizza in town vs Domino's or Papa John's). Do soemthing thay starts a buzz. Invite students to lunch, go to their school for lunch. Have vision night (or two nights - one for students one for parents) where y ou share with students why what the church is doing is important and sharing with parents why they should send their kids.

uthguy9

1 year ago

Votes

I came into the church in a DEAD youth program with 3 students left and all were looking to leave. Now it's at over 50 and growing every week.

As you pointed out it does take relationship...but give it time to cultivate allow the students to know that you are trustworthy and you care.

The other is to constantly talk to them, call them, text them and remind them to come. Talk to the parent's as well about your concerns.

Build on what you have already...take this opportunity to build your core, talk to them about the importance of accepting others as family, and then as each new person new comes in they're instantly hooked.

Finally...but it IS THE FIRST thing is to be in prayer for the group and for yourself...for God to lead not you.

az003590

1 year ago

Votes

yes relationships are super important but lets face it for the most part we work with programs because that is the way our culture is. so how do you get student to attend. You have to provide something they want and/or need. so you may have to start with two or three students and they will spread the word if what is being done is building relationships and giving them real help with real life.

Bruiseman

1 year ago

Votes

Are the small groups in addition to something you are already doing? What is the purpose of having small groups?
Maybe the students don't want an AMAZING youth center and want the opportunity to put their faith into practice. Start planning things outside of themselves that they can be involved in. Serve the community. Make the ministry you are asking them to be a part of something that is essential in their minds for them to do. Not just another thing that the church says I need to do.

rooster

1 year ago

Votes

I think you need to leave the programs and go for relationships. Get a team together and start praying, then get out and meet students. If you already have some students who are committed to the program, use them. Volunteer at the school, meets the teachers, go to the sports events or whatever gets you in contact with students.
Programs are great but you will never compete in that sense. Students really do want relationships with adults, so you need to start there. This will not be a fast process but if you start right, it will work.

Soulshaper

1 year ago

Votes

best thing i ever learned was that programs dont solve problems.
this could be an issue bigger than just kids apathy. start to do research. talk to staff, parents and students. past students who recently graduated.

pjwong

1 year ago

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