I’ve worked in six different churches now, both large and small, and the question invariably comes up at some point. Why do we need volunteers to help run the youth ministry? Isn’t that what you are here for? There are many answers to this question, but here are a few:
First of all, it is a necessity. The Episcopal Church has mandated that when working with kids under 18, you must have at least two adults who are not related to each other present at all times. Since we started 24SEVEN at St. John’s and Christ Church, we have broken that rule more times than we were compliant. It isn’t the kind of thing I want to be known for.
Second, it is practical. Some kids are going to relate to me, but some aren’t. Some might relate to you better. Students may come with their friends to youth group, but if they do not connect to an adult they feel they can trust within the first few weeks, most of them don’t become regular attenders and fall away.
Third, it is the vision of this youth group to grow. I’m not talking about numbers, although that should come as a natural part of our growth. I’m talking about the spiritual growth of our kids. I can’t do this work alone. I can lead it, but I can’t do it all. In a test of two horses, one horse pulled nine tons, but two horses pulling together were able to pull 30 tons. God has given us the ability to do more together than we could ever do separately.
We need all kinds of volunteers. We need people to chaperone - to just be there, talk to kids and make sure things stay at a manageable level of order. We need drivers. We have kids nearly every week who would like to come, but they don’t have a way to get here. I am working on a list of those kids and trying to determine a route or routes to get them here. I also need leaders to come along side with me and pull. If you’d like to help lead a game, help with the community time or even give a testimony - let me know! Leviticus 26:8 “And five of you shall chase a hundred, and a hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight” - When it comes to youth leaders, addition = multiplication!
There are sign up sheets by the 24SEVEN display in the parish hall. I would like to get a team put together and meet after church on October 23rd (Pottsboro) November 6th (Sherman) to talk a little about whats coming up and what we can do together. I hope you’ll join us.
~Jonah
First of all, it is a necessity. The Episcopal Church has mandated that when working with kids under 18, you must have at least two adults who are not related to each other present at all times. Since we started 24SEVEN at St. John’s and Christ Church, we have broken that rule more times than we were compliant. It isn’t the kind of thing I want to be known for.
Second, it is practical. Some kids are going to relate to me, but some aren’t. Some might relate to you better. Students may come with their friends to youth group, but if they do not connect to an adult they feel they can trust within the first few weeks, most of them don’t become regular attenders and fall away.
Third, it is the vision of this youth group to grow. I’m not talking about numbers, although that should come as a natural part of our growth. I’m talking about the spiritual growth of our kids. I can’t do this work alone. I can lead it, but I can’t do it all. In a test of two horses, one horse pulled nine tons, but two horses pulling together were able to pull 30 tons. God has given us the ability to do more together than we could ever do separately.
We need all kinds of volunteers. We need people to chaperone - to just be there, talk to kids and make sure things stay at a manageable level of order. We need drivers. We have kids nearly every week who would like to come, but they don’t have a way to get here. I am working on a list of those kids and trying to determine a route or routes to get them here. I also need leaders to come along side with me and pull. If you’d like to help lead a game, help with the community time or even give a testimony - let me know! Leviticus 26:8 “And five of you shall chase a hundred, and a hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight” - When it comes to youth leaders, addition = multiplication!
There are sign up sheets by the 24SEVEN display in the parish hall. I would like to get a team put together and meet after church on October 23rd (Pottsboro) November 6th (Sherman) to talk a little about whats coming up and what we can do together. I hope you’ll join us.
~Jonah
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