Summer Tips

Where’d They All Go? Summer Ministry Tips

School’s out and summer is here, but seats are empty. Many kids enjoy summer because it is a time free of homework, boring teachers, and unfortunately, church. Keeping the youth active and attending is a continual issue that youth pastors face every year.

Rob Bragato, a high school teacher and youth pastor for the past 28 years, has several trustworthy tips you can use to keep youth engaged all summer long.

Set Goals

Having a firm Biblical foundation is important and necessary for every believer. Setting both personal and group goals in that direction is an excellent way to keep kids engaged by giving them results to strive for.

Individually, help your youth determine and define areas they want to see themselves grow in and create a plan of action to accomplish throughout the summer. A great start for each individual is to map out goals for quiet times and scripture memorization. Begin with a one year Bible reading plan or a one month devotional.

A vision for the group as a whole enables the youth to work together and achieve what they themselves want to accomplish. Agree on a size they would like to see the group grow to by August or a certain amount of outreaches they want to perform. This will keep them engaged and a key part of the group’s success.

Stay Active

Summer is a great time to get youth outdoors and involved. Planning weekend events or retreats gives them a fun alternative to TV or videogames as well as continual involvement in the youth group. These events could be as simple as a Saturday afternoon at the park or as detailed as a short-term mission trip.

Summer camps like Extreme Camps are a great source of both outdoor activities and effective ministry. Local outreaches are another great way to keep kids involved not only within the church but in the local community. By volunteering at nursing homes and food drives, the youth will see people’s needs outside of the church walls.

Planning ahead for the summer is important and vital for the progression and growth of your group.

Be Involved

Know and be familiar with your student’s school and sports schedule so you will know when to plan youth events for the entire group. Knowing the school’s football or baseball schedule may seem insignificant, but it is a great way to make sure every individual will have an opportunity to attend any event planned.

Going to games is also a great way to meet the kids where they are. Being involved in their lives will give you the opportunity to truly share the love and message of Christ.

Other events to be aware of are homecoming dances, class trips, and, of course, prom. It is important during these times to keep the kids engaged in their relationship with Christ because of the high level of peer pressure and the need for outside social activity.

Reversing the trends of the attendance drop during summer is not easy, but it can be accomplished. Setting goals, staying active and being involved are a few simple yet effective approaches. Remember, attendance is important, but their personal relationship with Christ is what can never be compromised.


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