Creating A Ministry of Fun

It’s safe to say that those who work in student ministry have unique skill sets in their toolbelts. Our student team has recently taken on the task of becoming fluent in Gen-Z lingo and Memeish (although we are failing miserably). As student ministers, we are counselors, parental advisors, event planners, disciple-makers, teachers, and much more.

One notable tool in our toolbelt is the ability to create fun in any and all situations. In fact, creating fun is such a part of our job description that I am sure many of you have heard the infamous line “all you do is play games” at least once, either from a parent, a volunteer, a student, or a pastor. While we do play games, we all know that we don’t spend all our office hours focused on them, nor do we spend all our time at youth group just having fun. However, having fun is a huge part of our ministry, and for a good reason! This has been one of the biggest lessons I have learned over the last five years.

CATCHING VISION FOR THE MINISTRY OF FUN

When I took my first job in youth ministry, which is my current position, I had just come home from doing ministry to college students in a closed country. Talk about a major life change. Coming from that extreme ministry environment, I struggled a little to adjust to student ministry in our context. One thing I struggled with most was the fun elements of our job. Coming from the mission field, I was zealous for our students to know Jesus and be discipled, but I didn’t realize at the time that part of that discipleship came through having fun together.

Students, just like regular church members, need to feel connected and have a sense of belonging at church in order for them to stay. Unlike adults, who might have a little bit of an easier time making conversation with one another, students need a little help forming connections with one another. More often than not, students form bonds through shared experiences like camps, retreats, D-Now Weekends, or playing a silly game together. These FUN experiences break down any barriers that prevent students from making new friends and engaging people in conversation who are different from them. Having a shared experience provides common ground for students to bond over.

One of my most memorable shared experiences with our kids was having a makeshift movie night on a mission trip. I happened to have brought a small portable projector (you can never be too prepared), and the church we were staying at had an accordion wall divider that made a great makeshift screen. We put on Nacho Libre and laughed and laughed together, at the movie, at the quotes that kids knew, and at how ridiculous the characters' faces looked on the curves of the accordion wall. It was a moment that we all still talk about - not because it was the most exciting thing ever, but because we were able to sit down and enjoy time together on what was a more difficult week physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Movie Night turned out to be exactly what our kids (and our team) needed. FUN is something that our kids need, whether we realize it or not. From that trip, a massive group chat formed that our kids still use today to plan pickleball hangouts, late-night food runs, and participation in the student ministry. Now, am I saying that Nacho Libre brought our kids closer to Jesus - not really - but, having fun together brought them closer together, which now allows them to sharpen one another and encourage one another in their walks with the Lord. Having strong bonds with other believers leads teenagers to be more likely to have long-term discipleship and church involvement.

CASTING VISION TO PARENTS AND VOLUNTEERS

For Parents and Volunteers who may not understand why we dress up in silly costumes, play gross games, or have quarterly nights just dedicated to fun, we need to cast a clear vision. Now that I have a clear vision of why we play games every other week before teaching or why we go on retreats at Spring Break time, I can more easily convey our “why” to curious parents and volunteers. One of our beloved volunteers, David, was curious one Sunday Night why we did not have any small groups that night. It was our annual costume party, and we typically do a short teaching, then lean more heavily on the fun (particularly launching pumpkins with a slingshot). David loves his group and serves us so well, and he had an honest question. I was able to share with David that our costume party week is not our norm. We have a shorter teaching time and no small groups, so that our kids can have some fun together launching pumpkins, playing basketball, and hanging out. That time just having fun is important for our kids, maybe not to the same level as teaching and small groups, but it still plays a functional role in connecting them with other believers. David caught the vision, and now their group has fun party nights for each holiday season on their own, and their group has grown in number and in depth.

CHALLENGE TO US AS YOUTH MINISTERS

For all youth workers, I want to challenge all of us (including myself) to be intentional when it comes to FUN. Colossians tells us, “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Now, I’m not trying to say that Paul tells us to only have fun all the time as long as we do so in the name of Jesus. But I do believe we can use this verse to guide us in our ministry of fun. We want to utilize fun in a way that is faithful to our call to Gospel Ministry, honoring to the Lord, and beneficial for our kids. To do so, we can ask ourselves a few questions:

Share your thoughts with others in our YM360 community:

1. How am I currently creating opportunities for our students to build relationships?
2. Do I have a good balance of faithful teaching and creating fun?

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