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What do you think about a weekly youth gathering (youth group meeting) that does NOT involve music/worship.
We are about to lose our lead vocalist, and we have trouble with getting the other band members to church on Sunday. Last week we had very little music and extended our game time, added a small group time, and had food. The kids loved it. We attract several teens who have no clue about church and God. They stand around during our worship set not really connecting to it at all. Our pastor said something the other day that I am starting to agree with: You don't build a youth group through worship.
What do you all think? How would 90 minutes best be utilized if we don't have music? What elements would you add to a weekly gathering like that?
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Up until recently, we only had music once a month, and we meet for 2 hours. I think you can easily have youth group without music! |
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In addition to some of the ideas you already mentioned (food, games, teaching, small group/discussion) you should include a time of testimony/sharing. Have your students share how they are living their faith out on campus, people they are praying for that don't know Jesus, etc. I'm a strong believer in incorporating the teens into the program so if worship isn't the way to go right now, testimonies are a great element to add and it's amazing how much students will be inspired when they hear from their peers. |
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We've been going 5+ years without regular musical worship as a part of our program. Aside from putting together a worship band for a retreat once or twice a year, we don't really feel the need to incorporate it. Our students still love singing in the corporate worship services, and on retreats or at summer camp they go NUTS during the worship time. It's possible that the absence each week makes them appreciate/enjoy it more when we do it. |
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I think that that format of "youth group" is very doable. I have done that in the past when my worship guy was out or had to step away. My only suggestion is this: Make sure your kids know that singing is just a form of worsihp, Say something like : "we are not worshiping thorugh music, we are worshiping through....(fellowship, prayer, praise, ect..) Are you students engaged during the music time? |
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We don't use SUNG worship in our weekly youth. While we fully believe music and singing is important, worship is about honouring God, not singing songs. So we have times of prayer and creative music. Like putting paper out and letting them express how they feel by writing things down, using playdough to artistically (sometimes un-artistically) show our worship to God. |
