Let Preteens Lead – Maybe Even a Small Group!
Written by Ryan Senters
In previous blog posts, Mobilizing Preteens to Lead & Preteens Making an Impact, I’ve written about my students and how they are starting to discover what it means to be a leader. I watch as they inspire their peers to be radical for God and live out their faith. For example, just this fall I have watched as 3 of our preteens have started a Christian club in their school, 2 students gave up birthday presents for their party and asked for donations for orphans instead, and how our entire preteen ministry sponsored 15 orphans from India for an entire year (raising over $6,200)! I am a firm believer that our preteens are part of a generation that doesn’t want to sit on the sidelines for God but they want to do something! They want to get some skin in the game. They want to try something. They are no longer kids…they are ready lead and we have a responsibility to give them the chance.
(P.S. – If you’re looking for a program to equip preteens to become leaders, check out L7 from J12. You can also win it as one of the prizes we’re giving away this week for our 50% off preteen curriculum sale.)
In my preteen ministry, I have identified 20 6th grade student leaders. They help with ministry tasks like check-in, staffing our snack bar, helping during our services with skits and prayer time, and serving in our children’s ministry. However, I have noticed in recent months that some are ready for the next challenge. Please know, that most of my student leaders are being stretched in what we have already given them and are not ready for higher leadership. Actually, many of our “identified” student leaders are more interested in playing video games and chasing their friends around the room than any other leadership responsibility! But there are a few who are ready for more. It is these few I have been searching and praying for vigorously.
Four or five of my student leaders are ready for the next leadership challenge. My team and I have noticed that they have a hunger and passion for God’s word, a desire to reach their friends, and a burden to help others in need. It is our job to help our preteens take the next step in their faith walk, and I believe the best opportunity for them is to create situations for them to lead.
Thus, we are trying an experiment this year. We are having these 4-5 student leaders co-lead 5th grade small groups along side a seasoned adult volunteer. These preteens get the Scripture passage and small group questions days in advance and they take their preparation time very seriously. These student leaders lead the discussion by asking the questions and sharing personal insight. It is powerful to see these preteens rise up the bar we set for them and absolutely thrive!
These student leaders are surpassing our expectations as they lead their peers with such passion. The adult volunteer is there for crowd control and if the conversation starts to go astray, but we have notice that the adult is less needed than we thought. When these student leaders lead and share…the other really students listen. Our preteens want to hear from their peer leaders…especially the ones who are passionate about Jesus. And these student leaders are growing leaps and bounds in their faith walk because we all know that when you have to teach or lead something you really need to know your stuff!
Lastly, it is these few preteens who are being prepared to lead in even bigger capacities for the future. These are the preteens that I am going to give to our junior high ministry and say “get ready for these students, they are doing powerful things for the Kingdom and are ready to change their schools and community for Christ!”
If you have any questions or want more details give me a shout.
Ryan Senters lives in Chandler, AZ with his wife where they raise their 2 year old daughter and 1 year old foster son. Ryan has worked with youth from 5th grade to college students and he is currently the preteen pastor for 250+ students at Cornerstone Chandler.