Experiencing God

What is the purpose of a preteen ministry?  Why do we have programs?  Are they effective or are we just going through the motions and spinning our wheels?  These are questions we’ve all asked ourselves at some point.  No, this isn’t a blog about a purpose driven preteen ministry.  So, relax.

I think one reason a preteen ministry exists is to provide an environment where preteens can experience God.  Here are some ways that have been successful for me.

1. Worship Night – At my previous church worship was a priority.  We always had a worship team (live band) that played at our preteen weekend services.  Every couple of months we would host a worship night.  Preteens would hang-out and eat pizza for about 20 minutes or so.  Next, it was about an hour of worship.  They would let loose during fast upbeat songs.  The softer, quieter songs would often lead into many feeling the presence of God and a time of prayer for those who wanted it.

2. Worship Stations – I’ve heard others have great success with this model.  I even experienced it myself at the Catalyst Conference.  The basic idea is to have interactive elements throughout the room that help participants connect with God.  One example I experienced at the Catalyst Conference was a confessional room made out of plywood.  Upon entering you were completely alone and were instructed (on typed sheet of paper) to journal your confessions on the inside wall using a marker.  You were also encouraged to pray for the others who wrote the confessions already on the wall.  May or may not be appropriate for preteens.  But the idea is to brainstorm together as a team and come up with ways preteens can connect with God through various stations set up in the room.

3.  Camp – These days, winter camp is our big event where preteens experience God.  Run your own or bring your group to one in your area.  Don’t miss out here.  Preteens are ready for this kind of stuff.

4.  Moments of Response – Lately, I’ve been experimenting with ways kids can respond to the large group message afterward.  For example, last Sunday I handed kids a card with two boxes.  On the left box they were encouraged to write down or draw one thing that is not going good in their life right now.  Something that makes them or somebody they know feel sad, mad or is painful.  On the right box they were encouraged to write down or draw one way they need God to be there for them.  What do they need God to do right now?  Then we took a few minutes praying for the items on the cards.  All this was done after a lesson on how God is in control even when bad things happen.  Implementing little things like that in our midweek and Sunday services can be very effective.

5.  Big Preteen Gathering – I’ve heard of some partnering with other local preteen ministries in their area to put on a big event.  Some type of event involving a worship, a speaker, etc.  Something powerful happens when preteens enter a room filled with hundreds of others their age who gather to worship and learn about God.

6.  SuperStart Preteen Event – Okay, I couldn’t resist plugging SuperStart.  SuperStart is the only live preteen event I know of in the country.  If you live in driving distance of a city they are in, bring your preteens!