Mobilizing Preteens to Lead
Written by Ryan Senters
This summer I started a student leadership program for 6th graders. The goal was to start to equip them as servant leaders with their friends and family, at their school, and at church. We are just a couple months into the official launch of this new program but I can say I am thankful I gave student leadership a shot. I have already seen the fruit of investing in our student leaders as they are making a huge impact in the ministry and their schools.
Here is what we did:
1. In April, upcoming 6th graders applied to be a student leader by filling out an application and a list of commitments and expectations with their parents.
2. In May, all students were interviewed (yes, interviewed). It was very official to help them understand the importance of the commitment and to teach them about responsibility. Some were nervous, but they all did a great job. I wrote each of the 20 students who applied an acceptance letter.
3. In June, student leaders got to help with our Kidz Kamp (VBS) by leading on stage games and skits. This was the first opportunity for leadership and they rose to the occasion. Their whole demeanor changed when they knew they were leading. They were helpful, excited, and even “somewhat” responsible. Our whole team was so proud of them!
4. In August, we had our overnight student leadership retreat. This was a huge success. We had times of preteen craziness (marshmallow gun war), team building, and lessons on leadership and humility. They caught the vision of what it means to be a leader and this is when things really took off.
5. Currently, they are all part of a student leader small group that meets weekly. They also help run our snack bar, check-in students, greet new students, and serve in our children’s ministry. They have really stepped up to what it means to be a servant leader.
Moreover, one of my 6th grade boys just started at a new school, and he is working with his principal to start a Christian club there! So cool!
If you haven’t thought about starting some form of student leadership program I highly recommend you consider it. I can say with certainty that this program has become a vital part of our preteen ministry.
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.
4 Replies to “Mobilizing Preteens to Lead”
Nathan
Great article! This is something that will be a part of our next steps within our 456 preteen ministry. Thank you for sharing.
ndiliberto
Glad to help Nathan!
Rod Hocott
Ryan,
I am all about student leadership and know the earlier they start the better. My question is this: Before they applied to be leaders, did the kids know what types of things they would be doing as student leaders (other than VBS)? Do they help make decisions about meeting/worship content? I guess the bottom line is: What decision are they capable of making AND what are you willing to give over to them?
Great article.
Ryan Senters
Hi Rod,
Thanks for the message! I love student leadership too…I just continue to see the fruit of this ministry. Before students applied, I talked with the entire upcoming 6th grade group about student leadership. I talked about the various opportunities where they could help lead (e.g., snack bar, worship, skits, prayer team, children’s ministry, etc). Also, on the application and expectations sheet I have the list of areas to get involved for them to talk over with their parents (drop me an email and I will send that over to you…[email protected]).
At this point in their leadership, we are talking through big ideas of service projects and ways we can help sponsor orphans in our orphanage our church sponsor’s in India. I gave them the big picture and a couple ideas but they have really ran with it. I have had a couple student leaders create skits for the ministry, one student leader bought rubber bracelets and started selling them at school, and another student did a presentation to his entire school (no joke, school!) on this orphan project. We are shifting through lots and lots of ideas…some are feasible, some not. It is my job to help them recognize what ones will work for this season. Additionally, one of my student leaders just started a Christian club on campus and I am giving him guidance on how to do it…but this is his idea and he is running with it!
In regards to our preteen service, they have not been integrally involved in planning the services but I am not opposed to it. However, they are involved in greeting, helping to lead small groups, and read Scripture and lead prayers during our worship time. We have a family series coming up and this is an area where we could really utilize them for ideas.
I am big into giving them opportunities to try things but not leaving them out there high and try without guidance and support. I have noticed that their leadership is contagious. As one student comes up with an idea to help our orphans, it inspires another one to do the same. As we raise the bar for them…they are rising to the challenge!
I am going to keep blogging on my student leadership team as time progresses.
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