How to Prepare for an Amazing Relaunch of Your In-Person Youth Ministry Program
Good news!
For many of us in North America, the stay-at-home orders of 2020 are beginning to loosen at least a little bit and the possibility of regathering with the youth we long to serve is in sight.
Finally!
Youth ministry thrives on deep relationships and our teens need it now more than ever. The reality is, most of our teens, and well, everyone, are beginning to burn out on relationship-building via digital platforms.
For many of us in youth ministry, we have to figure out how to move forward slowly and safely, keeping the momentum of our group, while acknowledging we all feel differently about being together, what’s considered safest and how we should interface with one another. Some people are still reserved about jumping back to in-person gatherings. Others are so ready for human contact they’re sleeping in the Church parking lot like it’s Release Day of the next Star Wars installment. And as a youth pastor, you’ve got to find a way to accommodate both.
As our churches begin to think about how we will connect in person, our team over here at Faithtree heard a few ideas that were just too good not to share. As you begin to warm up your group, in whatever stage of in-person connectivity your state and community are in, we hope you find these ideas as useful as we did!
Balcony Barista!
Pop by with a favorite iced or hot beverage and drop it off at a teen’s door. Use this as an opportunity to chat about their week and the highs and lows of life from a safe distance! Even if your youth group is able to be together physically, and especially if they’re not, this is a great opportunity to model your investment in your teens and further build relationship with them.
The plan:
Call or text the teenager’s parents and ask if they are comfortable with you dropping off a drink and saying hello.
Reassure parents by listing the “COVID Procedures” you’ll follow during the activity to ensure safety for all.
Text the teen and ask them what time they’ll be home and what their favorite drink or snack is from a local coffee spot or hangout. It can be any drink or snack they like- the key is to personalize it to the teen.
Get your cold brew, boba or tasty snack on!
Set their drink at the door, ring bell, and find a socially distanced spot to chat from.
Bring lawn chairs for seats. Set one up by the door and the other at least 6-feet away.
Enjoy your coffee and catch up about anything that has been on their mind!
The visit doesn’t have to be long. This simple effort to be with your teen shows that you care and are concerned about them during these trying times.
Your teens will be blessed by this REAL facetime and you get an excuse to make a coffeehouse run! It’s a win-win!
Teen Talk in the Courtyard
Several youth workers recommended creating a “hangout space” outside the church or in the parking lot. If your climate and neighborhood permit, here’s some suggestions of how to create a space of your own that allows your group to come together, while still staying physically distanced from each other.
The Plan:
Talk to your priest about your idea.
Ask to borrow tables and chairs. Light folding chairs and tables are perfect and most churches have some in storage.
If your church doesn’t have a stash of folding chairs, try these alternative ideas:
Local businesses often donate gently used patio furniture to nonprofits when they are remodeling. Ask your community if they know of anyone planning to remodel and offer to take any outdoor furniture off their hands.
Advertise in your parish’s digital bulletin: Church families may have unused folding tables and chairs and would love to contribute to the relationship-building in your parish
Set up your tables and chairs 6-feet apart.
You won’t need a huge number of tables and chairs- likely just a few.
Make it fun!
If your priest gives the A-OK, have some individually wrapped snacks, drinks and distance friendly games on hand. Cornhole and darts are fan favorites. Just make certain everyone keeps their space and have enough darts, or else gloves, so that people don’t have to share.
Date Night:
No, not for your teens. For their parents. If there’s one thing we know for sure, parents of children living at home have to make a ton of effort to create a regular date night for themselves. The effort in 2020 was magnified by a zillion. How cool would it be if your group could meet, and parents could sneak away for a quick Chipotle run, or ice cream date?
The Plan
Drop-Off Hangout
If parents need a few hours alone, or teens need a few hours away, have the parents drop their teens off at the church for some convo time.
With your priest’s permission, order some individually wrapped takeout or have them bring a bagged dinner.
They’ll be in the comfort of the church but still safe outdoors. And parents will get some well deserved connection.
Church and Cinema
Make your own Drive-In Movie Theatre in the church parking lot and invite the families with teens to join in the fun for some socially distanced family of teens time.
The plan:
First, ask your priest. Is your church in a neighborhood that is safe at night? Is the parking lot big enough for the event? Will there be access to a blank wall for projecting a movie?
Supplies
A projector, speaker(s), a laptop or DVD player, connection cords, a movie or two (make sure they are approved by your priest first and age appropriate) and a blank exterior wall or screen.
If the church is lacking some of these items, ask around the parish. Someone will likely be willing to help find one or donate theirs for the evening.
Be sure to test your entire system out prior to the event.
Announce the event and provide detailed step-by-step procedures for everyone to follow (i.e. “Cars are to park 8-feet away from each other, sections will be chalked off, bring your own folding chairs etc...”)
Watch some flicks together!
If you’re running the event off of a computer, a fun safe-distanced game may also be in order. “Drawful 2” is excellent. Learn more here - https://www.jackboxgames.com/drawful-two/
Picnic at the Park
Invite your teens to bring a sack-lunch and a picnic blanket or beach towel to a nearby park or field and enjoy the great outdoors together! Call out cloud formations, play a round or two of cornhole (teens really do love cornhole don’t they?), take naps or maybe even attempt a community project such as greeting cards to cheer up a local hospital or retirement community.
The plan:
Get the OK from your priest.
Announce the event.
Establish and share a detailed step-by-step procedure. (i.e. “Teens will wear masks at all times, unless eating.”)
Have your teens bring their own sack-lunch and a blanket/beach towel. Sit at least 6-feet apart and enjoy a meal together.
Bring a Bluetooth speaker to play some tunes and bring up the mood.
Come equipped with team building exercises and/or a group activity.
Sunlight, games, service, and fellowship...who isn’t into that?
Leading in these challenging times requires creativity and thinking outside of the box. We all are still adapting to the new rules of conduct surrounding COVID and it is up to us to bring meaningful engagement to the youth in our church. Get involved, help find better ways to connect and not only will your church community be blessed, your youth group won’t lose momentum or connection.
Youth workers are being called to step up like never before. From our team, thanks so much for your sacrificial willingness to be the hands and feet of Christ. A HUGE thanks to each of the youth staff members who contributed their ideas to this article! Your work is vital to our communities.