What everyone needs to know about working in small youth ministries

The average youth group size is 12 people.*

I’m not sure about you, but I would consider a dozen students a small youth group. Twelve students barely warrant a separate budget, a full paid staff person, or a specific room exclusively for the youth.

But it seems like most of the youth ministry resources out today are written by and written for larger youth groups. (The only exception I can think of is small group curriculum.) You don’t hear about too many “super star celebrity” youth leaders who only have a dozen kids in their youth group.

*According to Jim Burns of HomeWord.

A blog for the small youth group leader

I want to introduce you to Jeremy Zach. He’s not famous nor a celebrity, just a guy trying to equip youth leaders in smaller church settings. His blog has plenty of resources and has been around for a couple years.

I appreciate how Jeremy does not settle for the status quo. He’s always asking questions, thinking theologically, and engaging people in conversation about how to best do youth ministry. He’s bold enough to speak his mind and humble enough to admit he’s wrong.

He had some great posts, including how to talk about the wrath of God, being effective over being busy, and some thoughts on steps to becoming a youth pastor (which has sparked quite a debate about secular versus parochial colleges!).

He’s also a fellow Fullerite, so I had to show some love.

So go ahead, check out Small Town Youth Pastor, he has a ton of things every small youth group leader should know. Don’t forget to wish him a happy birthday (it’s today!).

Your turn:

• What kind of blog or blogs have you found exceptionally helpful for you personally in your ministry to youth? Post a link to this person’s blog in the comments.
• Send this blogger a note saying thank you for all of their hard work in encouraging you. Running a blog is not easy!