Starting From Scratch

Picture with me: You walk into your youth room for the first time. There’s an old couch placed in the center of the room that’s got a few rips and stains, but it’s not too bad. You’ve got a few mismatching folding chairs scattered around the room. The walls, well, they’re there. The ministry's budget line feels like pennies. You’ve got a handful of students and a whole lot of empty room.

While you’re in that room looking, the question hits: Where do I even start? How do I build something from this?

I’ve been there. A new role. A new church. Very little to “show off.” I had a few faithful parents and a couple of students who shared the same last name. That first week we gathered, I remember thinking: Okay, Lord. It’s just us. What do we do?

Knowing where to start can feel overwhelming…well, because it kind of is.

But, buried inside that moment is an incredible gift. From day one, you get to build something healthy. You get to create a culture and vision that makes a difference. You’re part of the story that’s helping create something that’s never existed in your church before.

So, whether you’re relaunching a ministry, inheriting a group, or staring at an empty youth room with an old couch and a whole lot of questions, this is for you. Let’s talk about how to build a youth ministry from scratch and where to start.

PRAY AND CLARIFY THE VISION

This is where it all begins. It’s not with a logo. Not with a calendar. Not even with a budget request. It starts with your why.

Why? Because if you skip this step, you’ll end up just drowning in activities without a real purpose. You’ll be busy, but why? You’ll have programs, but not a purpose. Eventually, you’ll look up and think, Why are we even doing this?

Slow down long enough to ask some important questions:

• What do I want students to become because of this ministry?
• How do we want to make disciples?
• What would a clearly defined “win” look like for our ministry?

Don’t just think about these things. Write them out. Block out time to sit with these questions to pray and process them. Ask God: “Lord, what do You want to do through this ministry, this church, these students, and this team?”

Then, take these thoughts to your pastor and a mentor and ask: “Does this align with where our church is going?” Don’t create a vision in a vacuum. Seek the Lord and have trusted input. Before you head in a direction, find a clear purpose.

BUILD WITH PEOPLE, NOT PROGRAMS

Once you’ve clarified the vision, the next question isn’t “What should we do?” It’s “Who am I going to do this with?”

You can have some of the best ideas out there, but if you’re flying solo, you’re missing a key piece to your ministry. Ministry is always about people.

Look around your church and ask: Who loves Jesus? Who loves teenagers? Who wants to see faith passed down to the next generation?

Then, you can begin to invest in them, pray with them, share that vision with them, and talk about what you hope God will do through this ministry.

Building with people isn’t about trying to just “fill positions” but finding a team to partner with. And what do you do if someone can’t serve consistently in your group? Invite them to a prayer team. Ask them to pray for your students, leaders, and gatherings. That’s a major need and a way to join in.

If you’re not sure where to start, maybe you could try this out on someone. “Hey, I’m praying about building something with our student ministry, and I think you’d be great at this. Can we grab coffee and talk about it?” Then, in that conversation, don’t just pitch a role to fill. Share the vision and let them see how God might use them in it.

START SIMPLE AND STAY CONSISTENT

At the beginning of all of this, you’ll be full of ideas. You’ll be thinking about weekly gatherings, small groups, monthly events, camps, retreats, trips, and maybe even that weekend lock-in someone keeps mentioning.

You’re excited, which is great. But trying to launch everything at once is a quick way to burn yourself and everyone else out.

Instead, try this: pick one rhythm to start that you can sustain for the next 6+ months. That’s it. Just pick one thing. Maybe it’s a:

• midweek 60-minute gathering with a game, Bible teaching, and time of discussion.
• monthly hangout plus a short Bible study.
• Sunday morning Bible study with a snack.

Whatever it is you choose, make sure it’s something you and your team can do consistently without getting overwhelmed or stressed. You don’t need all the bells and whistles to be simple and consistent.

Show up. Do what you said you’d do. Do it again. And do it again. As your ministry grows, you can do more. But if you try to do everything at once, you’ll run out of gas. And, there’s something special about these early days. Enjoy the simplicity of this season. You’re laying a foundation. Foundations aren’t flashy. They’re solid, stable, and essential.

DO EVERYTHING THROUGH RELATIONSHIPS

John 1:14 says, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” That’s incarnational ministry. Jesus didn’t love people from a distance. He came close. He ate with them, walked with them, listened to them, and loved them well. 

If you’ve never considered this before, let me encourage you: programs don’t disciple students. People do. Discipleship is carried out through relationships. You need them. Yes, you’ll have services, events, and systems. But the heart of your ministry must always be relationships. Without them, you’re just hanging out, filling seats, and going through the motions.

And remember, your relational circle isn’t just students. It includes students, parents, volunteers, and other church staff or leadership. Strong leaders prioritize that entire circle.

A FEW THINGS NOT TO DO

As you’re starting from scratch, here are a few final cautions:

• Don’t compare your beginning to someone else’s middle. That church down the road with 50 students and their own youth building? They didn’t start there. Learn from them, sure. But don’t let comparison rob you of the joy of where you are.
• Don’t say yes to everything. Remember, start simple. People will have all kinds of ideas for you. Those aren’t bad or harmful, but they may not be what’s best first.
• Don’t skip these early phases because you’re anxious to grow. If you try to simply sprint toward filling a room, your vision and focus are lacking. Focusing only on attendance is building a crowd, not a ministry.

So, back to that empty room. That old couch, folding chairs, and a handful of students. It may not look like much on paper, but it’s fruitful ground. You’re at the starting line of something God can use in some powerful ways.

In fact, the ministry you’re helping build right now might become the very place students talk about 20 years from now as the place they met Jesus, where they found community, where they found someone who knew their name.

Share your thoughts with others in our YM360 community:

1. What’s one rhythm you can commit to starting and sustaining for the next six months?
2. Who is one person you need to invite into this ministry with you this week?

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