to leave my church or not

Is there a reason why you feel you can't build up your class at the church you currently attend?

 

The two kids in your class know who in thier grade at school doesn't attend church. Ask them, then go visit the families and start inviting. Those kids will know other kids and so on......

What is takes is the energy and motivation to do the work. It also takes the ability to not get your feelings hurt when someone you've invited doesn't come or when someone slams the door in your face.

 

That sounds like my church not too long ago. These are so many resources out there. What type of service do you have? What sort of materials are being used in Sunday School? Could a few people start knocking on doors or passing out flyers to invite folks out?

 

Maybe those kids you do have need serious discipleship. Larger groups usually can't give one-on-one attention for teens. God might have you there for a reason. And you could always begin a ministry at your church. If you could tell us some of your interests and talents, maybe we could help ya come up with something.

We are at a small church, too. (DH pastor, me youth and music) I used to feel really bad that our walls werent bursting with kids, but now I see the value in a small group b/c I have seen such growth in the kids.

 

The primary reasons to leave a church is if the truth is not being preached/taught and if sin among either leaders or members is being tolerated. If these are not issues, then I would encourage you to "bloom where you're planted." BTW, you know what is said about the grass on the other side of the fence!

Bill

 

The Word of God leaves us with only one program; preach the Word! No youth or children's programs, no seniors or singles programs, no sports and drama programs.

 

It doesnt take a lot of money to have a good youth fellowship. Older ladies love to cook - plan a progressive dinner. Scavenger hunts are really fun, too. There are lots of things you could do for little or no cash. Sounds like you NEED to work with youth! You have a passion for them, and not many folks do. Does your church have a youth ministry?
Go for it, girl!!

 

Our church is considered small (about 200 attend each Sunday) Ten years ago, the youth group consisted of two teens (one was the pastor's daughter). Today, we have 45-50 teens and a fulltime youth minister.

I am very thankful for the large churches and their ministries, but I like our small church where everyone knows and cares about each other.

I know of one Sunday School teacher when he began to teach a class had only two people in it. He would prepare his lessons as if he were going to have 50 and sometimes, no one showed up, but he continued and today there are about 30 who attend that class regularly.

Follow the leading of the Lord, but it sounds as if you have found a place that needs you.

 

Chipsgirl, are you SBC, IFB, or what? If there's not a place for you to take classes in your area, there are some great books to help you get started. I'd be glad to help ya out in any way!

 

Be careful of Crown...the church that it springs from is KJVO.

Follow the leading of God. If He has set your heart aflame for youth, then He has a reason. I don't know what it is, and you may not know what it is, but you have to pursue it.

Have you spoken with your pastor about this (What you feel drawn to, what you are wanting to do/try)? That should be your first step. If what you feel that you need to be doing is something your pastor will not get behind, you need to be somewhere else.

Our youth need people who have a passion for them. Follow His lead!

In Christ,
Trotter

 

Activity is not always productivity. All too often more programs means more death because there is so little focus on true discipleship and more on programs and getting the attention of people with little backbone.

I pastored a church that was so busy with programs tha it was programmed to die. When I came it was near death and extinction. I took away almost everyone of their programs and told them to focus on ministry in the community. They were not happy but when they started using their God given creativity they began to reach people and it was a changed church in every way. In fact they got to the point where they almost shunned programs because of what happened to them. Ministry is not so much done within the church building, but within the community. The church that I talked about did not even know their neighbors. I began to ask them about their neighbors and I found out they knew little to nothing about them. Yet they were wanting to reach people. I began ot teach them how to erach people through their existing contact and knocking on doors. I knocked on 75 to 200 doors each month for two years straight. After one year one of the men asked me if I could teach him to knock on doors. Eventually the entire church did it once a month. Churches grow one way--people reaching people. If every person reached just one person in two years the church would double in two years.

Four years ago my family visited a dying church. Within six months I started meeting with 20 people each week in three different Bible studies. Everyone of them were doing nothing in the church at the time.

Sometime read http://www.bibleteacher.org/Dm118_8.htm

 

Posted by Trotter: Be careful of Crown...the church that it springs from is KJVO.

Sorry Chipsgirl but this needs to be addressed.

Trotter, You have much nerve issuing a warning like that! You may not like the KJV and are able to use any version of the bible you wish to. Are you saying the KJV is not the preserved Word of God? If not , at least show it some respect. I am KJVO and am not your enemy. I teach, preach and lead others to Christ. I am in a church that loves the Lord but prefers the KJV. Why alot of people don't come to Christ is because they see Christians slamming each other.

Chipsgirl,
Sorry about that. I understand your dilemma. I have been in similar situations. If you want a youth ministry, unfortunatly you have to put in the leg work. Try planning a big day. Plan about six weeks ahead. Print flyers and see if you can post them in some of your local convenience stores and pharmacies, restaurants etc. Also get yourself a partner and knock doors in your neighborhoods inviting kids. You could use a western theme where everyone who comes can dress like cowboys or something. After your killer salvation message, spend an hour having things like pie eating contests, hot dogs and other games. Then send them home with an invitation to their parents to come check it out. Offer transportation if you can. You may have to enlist a few friends to help you get them there.

This should get them into church. Now you will have to pray and develop a program to keep them.

My pastor told me once when I was asking for more students to go get them. It was my class and up to me and the holy spirit to grow it. There are unlimited possibilities. I'll be praying for you!!

 

Something our church did for the youth on Wed. we started offering a free meal. We went from 3 to 5 teens to as much as 30 in a very short time. Along with that we have some helping the teens who can really relate to them. And yes they stay after the meal. Most are kids that normally run the streets every night. They need the Lord and for the first time for many of them they are hearing the gospel of Christ.

By His Grace Alone,
Michael
Friendship Baptist Church