As a youth minister, I have had the opportunity to work in a small town and a large city. There are plenty of differences to how you minister in each location, but for the sake of this article I’ll only focus on what I learned about working with the local schools. I worked in a large city before moving to a small town, which meant I was pleasantly surprised with the differences a small town provides. Today, I want to look at a few of the differences and then share a few similarities (truths I think will hold up no matter what size of city you minister in).
Advantages of a small town:
1. It is “easier” to get in to schools in smaller towns. The county I live in has only one high school and two K-8th schools. All of the schools have a long-standing relationship with the ministers/churches in the area, which was a huge advantage to me when I first arrived. And since a few of the office staff went to the church, there was already a familiarity.
Since it is a small town, most of the staff knew who I was before I ever met them – I was the new youth minister in town. I was able to go onto campus during lunches and eat with the students. I also regularly attended the before school meetings (FCA and Christian Club – high school & middle school).
2. You can see a higher percentage of students. Since smaller towns usually have smaller schools, the lunch rooms have less students in them. In a small school, it is easier to connect with more students while enjoying a tasty lunch. You may not be able to have long conversations with every student you see, but that is not important. Eating lunch with the students is not about digging into the personal life of a student over cold pizza – its about spending time with students on their turf. Another advantage to seeing students at lunch is the chance to see office staff and teachers while you are at the school.
Advantage of a large city:
1. You see more “non-church” students. Chances are that when you visit school in a large city, you will see a few of your students and most of the students you meet will be “non-church” students. By eating with the students you know, you become the object of curiosity of those who do not know you. They will ask who you are, what you are doing there and why you would volunteer to eat a school lunch. This will open up some great conversations and will give you a chance to show your concern for teenagers.
2. There are more opportunities to get involved. Larger schools have more sports, after-school activities and chances to volunteer. If you love to run and were on your high school track team, find out if the school could use more help with their track team. Volunteering your time to help coach will offer a great chance to help the school and meet more students. Extra-curricular activities (think debate team or quiz bowl) are always looking for adults to help. Be willing to help the team practice, show up for matches and help with travel. If you can build a good relationship with the office staff, then you will be able to offer help wherever they need it – you’ll already have a “foot in the door.”
Things to remember no matter the location:
1. Do not ruin it for others. I remember the conversation with the principal so clearly. He told me about how a previous youth worker had went too far in “evangelizing” the students and made it that much more difficult for others. This youth worker had stood up and “preached” during the middle of a lunch period and was pressuring students to come to his church and repent. A few parents called the school (with valid reason!) and complained. So the school board decided that no one could visit. When I arrived it had been a few years and they were starting to allow adults to visit during lunch again, with limitations. I was asked to “not speak to any student that I didn’t know” and “to not do any preaching in the lunch room.”
I was fine with what they asked me to do; I was just excited to have the chance to visit students at school. But I learned a great lesson – if you do “stupid” stuff while on school property, you will ruin it for other youth workers. So, do not overstep your boundaries!
2. Schools need subs & coaches. I have not been to a school where the need for substitute teachers and coaches was lacking. Schools are always looking for quality adults who are willing to substitute teach (especially middle and high school) on a regular basis. Subbing offers a unique opportunity to interact with the office staff and other teachers. You also get to meet a greater variety of students. Beyond subbing, there is also a need for adults who are willing to coach or assistant coach a sport. Coaching takes a lot of time and many people do not simply have the time to spare. Find out where there is a need (I’m guessing middle school girl’s basketball) and find out what it would take for you to help.
No matter how you decide to interact with the local schools, you want to be an asset and not a hindrance. Improve, help, encourage and support. It is not about what you and your youth ministry will gain – it is about how you can help make the school a better place for the students to be.
And while you’re visiting the school cafeteria, do not forget to say “hi” to the cafeteria workers. They will appreciate it (and you might even get a few extra tator tots next time you’re eating lunch.)
[Photo by: jasonlam]
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Mike Kupferer has been involved with youth ministry since he graduated high school and he loves to see God work in the life of students. Currently he lives in southern IL with his wife and 3 children. You can read more of his thoughts by visiting his blog, www.reflectionministry.blogspot.com.
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I remember walking the halls of the high school in the first high school that I volunteered in youth ministry with. There were 600 students in that school and I think I knew 2/3 of them, it was GREAT! Now my youth ministry draws from three schools, one is 3,200 students, another is 3,600 students, and the third is 1,800 students!
One issue that we have around here is that there are so many people wanting to substitute teach that the local school districts only take certified teachers as subs.
maybe the goal should be finding certified teachers to get involved in the youth ministry — then the ministry can get in the schools through subbing, since most youth ministers aren't certified teachers. Another plus to small town is that the odds of having multiple teachers in your ministry are higher.