By Dan Kreienkamp
Let’s take a look at one of the most common elements of a youth ministry: youth group. The concept seems straightforward enough, but too often, “youth” group becomes “leader” group. Not many teens are excited to come to “leader” group! Consider asking yourself this question: What am I doing as a leader that a student can do?
It may not seem like the dynamic leadership quality, but one of the most important tasks of a leader is welcoming new students. Simply showing that you care enough to welcome someone and listen to that student is following the example that Jesus gave us. He welcomed the unwelcomed, whether it was a Samaritan woman, a tax collector, or a Roman centurion. Everyone who met Jesus and desired to belong was welcomed in. Out of all of the things on my checklist for any given youth group meeting, sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ is always number one. This is accomplished by using welcoming words to communicate acceptance and forgiveness that we have received in Jesus Christ.
So how welcoming is your youth group right now? Consider some of the challenges of group dynamics. Even if they don’t want to admit it, all students desire to belong—whether it’s to a youth group, to a team, or to a class. But youth ministry groups, although intended to be open and welcoming, often feel closed. Simply walking through a door doesn’t ensure that students will feel a sense of belonging in the group. Adult youth leaders are often the friendly faces that visiting students see first, but even then, the students still need to make a peer connection in order to feel like they belong. This is the perfect place to start handing over leadership responsibilities to your students.
Ready to take the first step? Find a few students who are invested in your ministry and train them in how to genuinely welcome someone. Here are a few points to hit in your training:
- Positive body language—smiling and keeping a welcoming posture
- Proper eye contact—not staring or looking down at your phone
- Asking questions—thoughtful questions, not interview questions
- Active listening—showing that you care, asking questions in reply
With training and encouragement, your student leaders will not need to wait for a prompt like “Hey Rachel, can you talk to that student who has been sitting alone?” They will know how to seek out others to welcome them! This isn’t limited to just visitors either. I’m sure that there are students who are on the fringes of your youth group that could be welcomed in, too. Your student leaders might even come up with suggestions on how to make the group more welcoming!
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