Launch and Lead Practical resources for launching new churches and leading them well

Reaching Students, Part 2

Yesterday we talked about creating a church where students feel at home.  At Oak Leaf Church ,we’re not trying to create a student sub-culture, where students have a youth room but never attend church.  We’re not trying to entertain students in their own laser-light show driven service.  Our strategy for reaching students is intentionally similar to our strategy for reaching adults.

So, we have adult leaders who lead student small groups, just like we have adults who lead adult small groups.  We invite students to volunteer on the weekends, just like we ask volunteers to serve on the weekend.  We invite students to serve the community through Second Saturday, just like we encourage adults to serve at Second Saturday.

I believe that teenagers should be volunteering with production, parking and with kids.  Teenagers who love Jesus should be challenging elementary children to love Jesus.  In fact, nearly every volunteer team in our church is open to students.  We don’t just want to have a successful youth group; we want to connect students to Jesus and to the church.