3 Essential Fall Plans You Should Be Making Now For Your Youth Ministry?

June 5, 2012 in Balance, healthy ministry, planning with 4 Comments

This week, here in Michigan, our high schools have their last days and most have already had their graduation ceremonies. The summer is about to begin! However, it is this time of year that I believe it is essential to start making plans for Fall and not wait any longer.

The problem for us is this: Before we know it, we are on a mission trip, we’ve taken that needed vacation, or we are already in August staring down the Fall. It’s true isn’t it? Summer fly’s by! Therefore, to make sure that Fall does not turn into a last-minute planning frenzy, there are three priorities I work on now, while I have the time:

1) Recruiting New Volunteer Leaders: If we wait for potential leaders to leave town on vacation or get into their summer mode, it’s harder to have needed conversations. It’s also good to ask potential volunteers now, so that they can pray and consider helping during the summer months. Sometimes the ‘volunteering seed’ needs to be planted now and will grow over the summer. Waiting to ask potential volunteers a few weeks before the Fall can often feel rushed and disorganized.

2) Plan Out A Basic Calendar: Sitting back here in June is a great time to look at the calendar in a more objective,  relaxed and prayerful way. It allows us to see the big picture of what is going on and allows us to take time to space events and programs out and give healthy margin once the Fall arrives. It also allows us time to tweak and change the calendar without making rushed decisions when a potential calendar conflict comes up.

3) Plan Your Message Series Now: By thinking through your first 2-3 message series now, it will allow your creativity and ideas to ferment over the summer. It also allows us to get others involved and incorporate elements that might not get added if we were running fast into the Fall. Consider the felt needs of your students as you plan your Fall kick off series.Appealing to their felt needs and creating an exciting and engaging Fall series will help you create good momentum right out the gate.

What are you working on now for the Fall? What would you add to this list?

Phil <><

About Phil Bell: Phil Bell is a youth pastor, writer, and blogger. He is originally from England and now lives in Michigan where he has been ministering to students and their families since 2000. Phil is passionate about helping students own their faith for the long haul and is deeply committed to leadership development of youth workers in the local church. He loves spending quality time with his family, playing soccer, and drinking a good cup of English tea!

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  • http://jasonglamb.wordpress.com Jason Lamb

    1) in the process of recruiting 15-20 new volunteers
    2) a few things on the fall calendar, hope to get the year long calendar flushed out in july
    3) first 2-3 are being brainstormed…need to do more work here

    Great blog. Helpful tips. Was somewhat encouraged that I was in the process or have plans to work on all 3 of these.
    Thanks!

  • Phil Bell

    Great stuff Jason! Glad to see you are already making some good steps forward before the summer hits full swing! I think recruiting volunteers is perhaps the most challenging one to do if we do not get people early in the season… Thoughts?

    Phil <

  • http://lasart.es/ las artes

    1) Recruiting New Volunteer Leaders: If we wait for potential leaders to leave town on vacation or get into their summer mode, it’s harder to have needed conversations. It’s also good to ask potential volunteers now, so that they can pray and consider helping during the summer months. Sometimes the ‘volunteering seed’ needs to be planted now and will grow over the summer. Waiting to ask potential volunteers a few weeks before the Fall can often feel rushed and disorganized.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100003406180207 Antonio

    Hey friend! I think you do amanizg work with people and your love for others if evident. :) I know two Pastors who seriously almost worked themselves to death. In the hospital hooked up to everything because their bodies were failing them. I think that learning balance is so key.So yes, part of it is knowing when to say no. And you have to say no when it is best for you whether the other person wants to hear it or not. I would say that saying no along with seeking God on how much of your time he wants you to give to others will def help. Then you can prioritize how to best use those hours to meet the needs of others. And the things that you can not fit in you can perhaps delegate to others. Mike and I are currently looking at our life and our time and how we use it. We are making hard decisions on the things that we need to step back from so that we can move in different directions. I would love to do it all but my family comes first. Someday I will have time for more but now is not that time. Anyways I think you are one of the most giving Christians that I have ever met! You are awesome!