FourFiveSix.org: Great Ideas for your Preteen Ministry

If you have discipline/behavioral issues with the preteens in your ministry, you may find a solution in an unexpected place – by changing the seating arrangement.

Do you preteens sit on the floor? In chairs? Couches? Beanbags? Maybe it’s time for a change. Sometimes, just a couple of minor alterations in your seating arrangement can make a HUGE difference in the behavior of your preteens. In today’s podcast, Sean shares some ideas about seating arrangements to get your creative juices flowing.

And NOW….some announcements:

How do you structure your services? Share your ideas and get some ideas HERE.

Retreat 2 ADVANCE is coming up in November. Don’t miss it!

Our FREE Webinar with Patrick Snow from SuperStart! is October 20th. Don’t miss it!

Space Tours is HAPPENIN’! Get all the details and join us for the next one, which is coming soon.

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/.

You have a mission statement? WONDERFUL. But do you preteens know it? Do they know why your ministry exists and why they are coming each week? Today, Sean shares how Elevate Preteen Ministry communicates their mission statement with the preteens in their ministry…to the point where the preteens are saying it back to the leaders, and even, on their own, creating artwork (like the one pictured above) that communicates the mission statement.

You don’t have a mission statement? We can help you with that! Come join us for Retreat 2 ADVANCE – This is a small retreat in November where we will share ideas, and most importantly, go through a process to refine our Driving Purpose and how to best communicate that to parents, staff, kids, etc.

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 Sean shares the third of three different service formats (Delivery Methods) that he uses in his preteen ministry. Here’s a basic outline of the “InLight” Service Format:

Please share your typical schedule with us in the comment section below. What is your delivery method?

And NOW….some announcements:

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 Sean will share the second of three different service formats (Delivery Methods) that he uses in his preteen ministry. Here’s a basic outline of the “StepUp” Service Format:

Please share your typical schedule with us in the comment section below. What is your delivery method?

And NOW….some announcements:

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 Sean will share the first of three different service formats (Delivery Methods) that he uses in his preteen ministry. Here’s a basic outline of the “Reveal” Service Format:

6:30 – Pre-Service Connection Time

7:00 – Countdown and Gather

7:03 – Upbeat Song/Dance/Activity

7:06 – Announcements

7:10 – The Mystery Game

7:17 – Lesson Set-Up

7:23 – First Small Group Time

7:33 – God is Here Video

7:34 – Scripture Reading and “Know God, Show God” Window

7:37 – Song that tells God we are opening our hearts to knowing Him more

7:41 – “Lesson”

8:03 – Response Piece

8:08 – Response Worship Song

8:11 – Reveal Window

8:15 – 2nd Small Group Time

8:26 – Closing Upbeat Song and Thought

8:30 – Dismiss (Hugs, Handshakes, and High Fives)

Please share your typical schedule with us in the comment section below. What is your delivery method?

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/.

One of the best ways to learn how to do preteen ministry better is by seeing what others are doing. We are all figuring this thing out – so why not figure it out together?

On today’s podcast, Sean talks about some tips and tools when it comes to learning from others, including:

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/.

Your preteens want to be treasured, and valued.

The good news: If they are a child of God, then they are valued!

The bad news: Many of your preteens think they are valued based on how much of a rock star they are.

Enter “ROCKSTAR NIGHT”. This idea for a service was so much fun, and so powerful! Rock Star Night can help the preteens in your group to understand their true identity, and why they are treasured.

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’s great idea is a little different, because today’s great idea is actually a challenge for you creative preteen ministry leaders:

Think of something creative and meaningful to do with PUMPKINS at the beginning of November, and plan for it right now.

On the podcast, Sean shares what they did last year on “Bring Us Your Pumpkins” Sunday, and challenges everybody to think of a great idea involving all the unwanted pumpkins of November.

Want the bully series mentioned in today’s podcast for free? Join our newsletter and we’ll send it to you.

Is your preteen ministry on The Map yet? If not, add it today and start connecting with preteen ministry leaders in your area.

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/.

For over a decade, Patrick and Samantha Snow and a team of talented folks from Missouri have held SuperStart! preteen weekend events around the United States! They have been SO HUGE for preteen ministry.

Listen to today’s podcast to hear three reasons why Sean thinks SuperStart! is a GREAT idea for his preteen ministry (and maybe yours, too), and hear about how God has used SuperStart! to beautifully benefit preteen ministry far beyond the weekend event.

Patrick Snow gets preteen ministry, and explains THE BIKE better than anybody we’ve ever heard explain it. Join him and Sean for a Webinar coming up on October 20th.

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/.

Chris Santos, a ministry leader in Elevate, joins us on today’s podcast. It’s not the topic of today’s podcast, but last Wednesday in Elevate, Chris proposed to his girlfriend during our service. It was really cool. You can watch it here.

Today on the podcast, Chris joins Sean to talk about a volunteer development idea: “It’s better because you didn’t do it.”

Do you ever have a volunteer complete a task that you could have done better: Set up chairs, make slides, create a prop, teach the lesson, etc.? Listen to today’s podcast to find out why, in reality, it’s actually better because you DIDN’T do it.

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/.