FourFiveSix.org: Great Ideas for your Preteen Ministry

Today on the podcast, Sean shares an excerpt from Patrick Snow’s main session at the 2018 Preteen Leaders’ Online Conference.

Patrick explains the change that occurred for him in ministry two and a half years ago. As a consistent preteen leader Patrick was always there as the groups of preteens rotated through the ministry. Two and a half years ago everything changed when his pastor asked him to follow a group of boys, starting when they were in 5th grade and staying with them until they are seniors in high school. This was a step out of Patrick’s comfort zone for sure. The beginning was chaos, he admitted. Now that he has been with the boys for two and a half years, things are changing. The boys are excited to see him, and they are beginning to open up more. Patrick is excited to see the boys and they can have much deeper conversations now. Being a constant drip in their lives allows for a much closer relationship with them.

Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast?  Send it to [email protected]. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at http://fourfivesix.org/.

Today on the podcast, Sean speaks with Louie Schmitz about the idea of a spring retreat for your preteens.

Louie explains the idea of their 4th and 5th grade retreat. They take the preteens away for one night and bring in a guest speaker. They are going to a campground not too far from the church on the church bus and bringing in a speaker, the worship is provided by the middle/high school band. They have three breakout sessions with a driving theme and small groups following each one. This schedule creates intentional time for the leaders to connect with the preteens.

The idea of taking preteens away for a day or more allows a deeper connection with them than the 90 minutes you get with them on a Sunday. The retreat they did two years ago was beneficial to not only the preteens but their families as well. If you have additional questions about the retreat idea, setting up a sports summer camp program or even the bonus information Louie shares in the podcast about their March basketball bracket competition, you can email him at [email protected].

Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast?  Send it to [email protected]. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at http://fourfivesix.org/.

Today on the podcast, Sean discusses the idea of focusing on who you teach rather than what you teach.

Sean spent some time with Chip Henderson this last weekend and they discussed the concept of using a church wide study so that parents and children can go home and discuss the same things they both learned. The problem in this is that there are things that need to be taught that won’t be taught anywhere else to the younger generations, like preteens or junior higher.

However, these topics will be talked about when you start with the “who” first. By starting with the “who” it allows you to come up with a different “what” versus starting with a blank slate and figuring out what you want to teach first, and then making it fit your students.

When you have this “first, what I’m teaching” mindset, it exacerbates the negative perception of behavior problems that arise because you are focusing on the “what” and the preteens are keeping you from the “what”. By focusing on the “thing” versus focusing on this person, that student can feel like they are getting in your way. When you start with the “who,” you may come up with a completely different strategy than if you started with the “what” first.

Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast?  Send it to [email protected]. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at http://fourfivesix.org/.

Today on the podcast, Sean speaks with Hannah Bush from Metropolitan Baptist in Houston Texas, about a mystery activity called the Donut Whodunit Mystery.

Hannah needed an activity for the Plug n Play time during Superstart!, and that is when the Donut Whodunit Mystery was born. It is a fun activity on a limited budget. It is set up kind of like a live game of Clue, and the leaders and staff act as the characters in the story. The preteens are the intelligence agency (the P.I.A.) sent out to solve the mystery. After performing tasks and receiving clues and profiles from the characters they were able to make accusations to the chief detective.

This is a simple activity that could take place just about anywhere. We are attaching the information here for you to review if you would like to play the Donut Whodunit Mystery.

Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast? Send it to [email protected]. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at http://fourfivesix.org/.

Today on the podcast, Sean speak with Armando Flores, an elementary/preteen pastor out of Southern California, and an interesting idea he has using buttons and badges for his preteen leaders. Armando explains how he intentionally disciples to certain students in the large crowd. With the use of badges, he is able to distinguish between regular attendees and those students they are trying to disciple. The students receive a laminated badge (similar to the volunteers) and a lanyard. These students no longer have to wear the computer printed name badge which is the first differential. The badge is also used to help monitor behavior in their leadership team. Additionally, there are the buttons that distinguish jobs. Students buttons distinguish the area of ministry they work in. If a student is scheduled for a job but is unable to make it the adult leader in that area can look for someone with that button to come and assist them. He also discusses how they use buttons for their monthly bible reading/devotion. Students are able to earn the monthly buttons and at the end of the year they can earn the Mega Button that shows they read the bible in a year. Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast? Send it to [email protected]. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at http://fourfivesix.org/.

Today on the podcast, Sean shares a little bit of Katie Anderson’s breakout session at the 2018 Preteen Leaders’ Conference. Katie Anderson discusses how we as leaders should be teaching content, procedures, and behavior. She notes that kids want to learn appropriate behavior. Think of it in this way, every student that walks into your ministry has an invisible contract in their hands. Their contract states that they would like you to teach them appropriate behavior in a safe and structured environment. On the flip side our part of the contract says that we will promise them that we will teach them appropriate behavior in a safe and structured environment. Students will test this contract by breaking a small rule. Based on how you come down on them for breaking the rule will determine if the student is able to trust you or not. Students who do not get the appropriate response back from you will keep coming back with larger and larger infractions until you come through with him consistently with safety and structure. Assume that when kids are testing the rules it is because they are testing us and want us to pass the test. They want us to show that your ministry is a safe and structured environment for them. Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast? Send it to [email protected]. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at http://fourfivesix.org/.

Today on the podcast, Sean discusses his recent visit to a preteen ministry in Indiana, where he led a leader training. Sean recently visited Vicki Murello’s ministry in Indiana and was able to watch their service in action as well as do a leader training class for their volunteers. He brought back 5 great ideas from his trip that he wanted to share with everyone. The first one is “The Impossible Shot” and fun opening game for service. The second one is a U-Line store display with iridescent ribbon weaved through and an LED light shining on it. It was a great stage prop. The third was the lunch meeting with her group, which was held during their third service at the church. What a great idea, if it is ok with your Sr. Pastor to hold a meeting when everyone is already on campus. The fourth idea was her small group spaces, which were designed not just thrown together. Being intentional about your small group space is a great idea. The fifth idea was the way she did her teaching. It was very conversational as if she was talking with her friends, very relaxed. When she gave her examples, she used the leaders instead of the preteens. No unnecessary attention is drawn on a preteen this way. Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast? Send it to [email protected]. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at http://fourfivesix.org/.

Today on the podcast, Sean speaks about a crisis averted that happened in one of Elevates’ recent services and what they learned from it and how they will change from it. When crisis occur in your ministry there is a spectrum of how you can handle it. You can, on one end of the spectrum, blame someone for it and on the other end shove it under the rug because it is so rare it will never happen again. But in the middle, there is a place where we can learn from it and prepare a plan in case it does ever occur again. A place where we can make our ministries stronger and better suited to handle problems that might arise. Out of the crisis in Elevate came three new policies that might never have come about if they just shoved it under the rug or played the blame game. Sitting down and discussing everything as a team allows you to grow and make your ministry even better. Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast? Send it to [email protected]. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at http://fourfivesix.org/.

Today on the podcast, Sean discusses how the shape of your ministry should match the driving purpose so you are not trying things that don’t match your ministry.

Sean discussed how ministries can change because the preteens attitudes are different. After doing a karaoke night for the girls two years ago with great success, it was decided to do it again. Unfortunately, there were completely different outcome this time because the girls currently in the ministry are more shy. The lesson learned from this was that your ministry needs to be fluid and able to change based on the preteens in your ministry. Sean explains how it helps to get to know the likes and dislikes of the students when they come into your ministry. Don’t be on auto pilot and think that what you did in the past will continue to work with the new students. You may miss out on the best way to minister to the students you currently have.

Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast?  Send it to [email protected]. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at http://fourfivesix.org/.

Today on the podcast, Sean shares some great resources for you ministry from Mike Sheley.

During the 2018 Online Preteen Leaders’ Conference Mike Sheley offered up some great resources for your preteen ministry. The best start is getting your preteens in the gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Preteens have no idea what a chapter in the bible really is, so showing them this initially will give them a great base. Although most preteens probably don’t have access to mobile app version bibles they are a good tool when they are available. Another great resource is the Bible Project which uses animation to explain the bible. Putting the two options together is a great way to get your students into the Word. These are some great digital online tools for your ministry. Click here to get the links that Mike talks about.

Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast?  Send it to [email protected]. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at http://fourfivesix.org/.