Rescuing a crumbling ministry

This was recently posted in a Facebook group about how to rescue a dying ministry:

Any ideas on how to revitalize a dying program?

Short story: I’m heading in my 4th year as a core member in the same program I grew up in. Our DRE has been in charge of youth ministry/Life Teen for the last 23 years, and in the last few years the number of kids coming is just dropping lower and lower. While trying her best, our DRE was very controlling and specific about what we could and could not do, and Life nights were often like teenage versions of PSR.

So our Pastor has decided to hire someone very very part time to take over just Life teen. We’re not sure who this will be yet, but I’m part of the committee planning for the next year. And with as part time as this position will be, it will require lots of support from the core team.

So how can we get the kids excited about coming again? I don’t want to put down our DRE in anyway, she’s a kind lady and will still be working at the parish as DRE, but do want to get far more people coming next year than we’ve had the last few years.

Here was my response.

Growing a ministry is difficult work, especially since you are working against the momentum of teens being turned off and walking away. Reputation is hard to get back.

That being said, it all begins in building relationships one-on-one. Each core team member needs to get to know every single kid that is currently coming and invest in them. You don’t need big events to start off with, just fun events around town that enables the core team and teens to connect. The fun events + relationships with the core will create its own momentum in the opposite direction. Also offer opportunities for spiritual growth, like a bible study or an adoration hour, weekly.

When summer ends and your Fall semester begins, have the first few nights be socials where they are encouraged to invite their friends. Make it fun. And concentrate the core team on welcoming the new people as much as possible.

But most importantly realize that Jesus did not play the numbers game. He leaves the 99 to pursue the 1. We need to appreciate the ones who are coming and make sure that they are known and loved. Some youth ministers and pastors stake too much on big numbers, which can actually alienate the ones who already come, making them feel as if they are not enough for you.

In the words of Walt Mueller, “You take care of the depth of your ministry and let God take care of the breadth of your ministry.”