If there is one thing we have learned over the past several months with Covid-19 is the need for adaptability.
Several months ago many youth leaders found themselves at home figuring out how to use zoom to lead games, videoing daily devotionals, and doubling down on connecting through Instagram. When we could travel a bit many spend hours on the road dropping off packets or delivering goodie bags to our students.
Later, some began to gather students in parking lots. Bring your own lunch and lawn chair 6 feet apart. Or circle the cars for a tailgate. Finally, some began indoor meetings once again, setting their space using tape or hula hoops to keep everyone appropriately socially distanced.
Then as youth groups started to feel like there might be a sense of normalcy returning, case counts increased again, people got more cautious and everyone is left wondering what is next?
The reality is that we do not know what is next. It is for this reason that we need to ask our self these questions. Can I adapt my Youth Ministry for Covid-19 uncertainty? And what benefits will this have even after Covid-19?
The answer is yes you can. In order to create a youth ministry that is adaptable for any situation, you need to think about a few things. Is it simple, scalable and superb?
Is it Simple?
The first thing I want to think about is the simplicity of my youth ministry. Now I am not talking about making it boring. I am talking about thinking through everything you do and determining how simple the process is. No matter what you are doing, are there extra steps that are not necessary? Does everyone know what is involved so that almost anyone could step in and do it if needed? Is there one place anyone can go to get resources, materials, and needed supplies? Can you update everything as easily from your laptop at home, or do you need to go to the church to make copies or get supplies?
It is for this reason we have gone completely online with our small group material. We use the Bible.com app and create an event for each week. That event includes our announcements, a YouTube link to the message, scriptures, and small group questions. I can update it from wherever I am and everyone can pull it up on their phone. We encourage those who cannot join us because of vacation or other obligations to pull it up on their own. They can go through it all on their own or with a few friends.
How simple is your youth ministry processes and programs?
Is It Scalable?
The second thing consider is whether or not your ministry events and programs are scalable? This means that you can offer the same information and a similar experience in a variety of environments. Obviously, your ministry will be different if you can have all your students together at the church on your main night, verses being quarantined at home. However, you can work to make it scalable.
When I think of scalability I think of how adaptable websites are. Most good websites now have different looks for different devices. When you open the site on your computer you will get the full experience. When you open it up on a slower computer you will have the information but maybe not as many photos or videos. If you open the site up on your iPad you will get the information but in a format designed to look best on that format. The same goes for the phone. You will get a scaled-down, reformatted version of all of the necessary information and as much of the experience as possible.
How scalable are your youth ministry processes and programs?
Is It Superb?
Please hear what I am asking. I am not saying your ministry has to be perfect, or have the latest technologies, social media programs, and produced video devotionals. What I am saying is that whatever you do, do it well.
Part of being superb is understanding that it is better to do a few things well than to do many things mediocre. None of us start out wanting to do things halfway or just ok. I believe what happens is that comparison breeds mediocrity.
It is easy to look on social media and see that one youth group is killing it on TIk-Tok, and this group here is creating engaging video devotionals. Or this youth director is doing a text message Bible study, and this group visits their students every day at their homes. With every post, it becomes our goal to do it all, and what we end up is trying many things and not doing them well.
Choose to focus your energy on a few things that will make the most difference in the lives of your students and point them to Jesus instead of on a bunch of things that just cause you more work and distractions.
Do you focus on superb youth ministry and programs?
Moving Forward
It is a different time for youth ministry and it will be a challenge to do ministry in this new time. The way we do youth ministry has an opportunity to change after the coronavirus. By focusing on being Simple, Scalable and Superb we can make sure our ministries can adapt for whatever challenges come our way.