Midweek Launch

Two weeks ago we launched our preteen midweek gathering for the summer. It was also the first time new 4th graders were with us and the 6th graders moved on to middle school.  As always, the group dynamics change with the start of a new year.

At my previous church we always did promotion at the end of August right around when school started.  So, this is a new experience for me.  I’m not sure what you do.  I think every church is different and what works for one might not work for the other.  Doing it both ways, here is what I find are the advantages to promoting at the beginning of the summer:

You have the summer to build community and relationships with incoming preteens.  It usually takes a couple of months to get the new group well connected.  Now you have summer programs to do that.  Also, the preteens who were promoted to middle school now have the summer to assimilate, taking advantage of summer camp and other programs as well.  You hit the ground running and by the time fall rolls around, you’re group has been well assimilated.

Another new thing for me, which I highly recommend, is taking a program break before and after summer.  For two weeks prior to summer and following the summer we don’t have midweek or any other events.  Just Sunday services. That goes across the board  for all children and youth.  It allows our staff to gear up for summer and have downtime after.  Many of our staff take vacation during the two weeks after summer.  Another good idea by the way.

I got hired on staff here during the two week break after summer last year.  And I experienced the two week break before summer.  So, I’ve gone almost full cycle.  I have to say it is a wonderful way to do ministry.  A much more healthy model allowing you to keep balance in your life.  Oh by the way, we take two weeks off of programming at the end of the year around Christmas.

If you have the power to create a similar model at your church, I recommend it.  Fight for it if you must.  The long term personal and family effects are huge!

PreteenMinistry.net – Creative & relevant resources for preteen ministry.

2 Replies to “Midweek Launch”

  1. andrew burden
    • July 10, 2010

    our children’s ministry (up to 5th grade) gives sunday morning shepherds the summer off and recruits summer-only volunteers to fill the gap. that would be nearly unthinkable in our relationship-driven middle school ministry. the summer is critical to the entire school year, from weekly programs (except July 4, 11, and 18 when we cancel to allow families to worship together) to small, free or cheap connection events, to summer camp, i can’t imagine not hitting the ground running in june. see my thoughts on summer ministry at http://thisisnotabout.me/2010/06/28/the-summer-of-their-lives/ (try again later if it doesn’t load – godaddy may be hiccuping). blessings!

  2. jimkastkeat
    • July 17, 2010

    While we offer a few summer options for the rising classes (6th grade summer camp, 5th grade day camp, and 7th/8th Bible study + camping trip) most of our “move up” happens with the new school year. We take most of the summer off to prep for the impending school year with kickoff happening after Labor Day.

    However, one move we are making that will help the move up for students, especially from 6th grade to 7th grade, is to merge our preteen and junior teams. We still have two separate programs but function as one Middle School team. This way students get to know me (and our other Middle School Pastor) for two years in 5th and 6th grade and then for two more years in 7th and 8th grade!

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