First, make sure you got your networking tool belt ready. Then…

1. Search for churches in your area using a site like Google Maps and send the youth leader(s) an email introducing yourself.
2. Drive to their church, hand them a business card, and offer to buy them lunch or coffee. Get out and go for a drive. You’re bound to pass dozens of churches in metropolitan areas. Even smaller country towns tend to have plenty of churches. Try to meet face to face, as this increases the chance of continuing the relationship, more so than dropping off a business card in their mailbox. Not to mention, everyone loves free coffee or lunch.
3. Utilize existing networks, if they exist. As you begin to meet new leaders, ask if they know of any current networks. Join up and see how you can contribute.
4. Consider parachurch or campus ministries. I met many youth leaders in the area by attending the Christian club a the local high school. I continue to meet more and more leaders in the area through Young Life as well.
5. Go to local conventions, training events, and other events for youth leaders. I find it easier to network locally at smaller, local conventions than larger, national ones. Don’t underestimate the smaller conventions! A great one in the LA area is the Urban Youth Workers Institute.
6. Meet other youth leaders at camps, conferences, or events for students. I’ve met several youth leaders this way, and we continue to work together as we minister to our kids.
7. Offer something for free, with no strings attached. I think we experience something greater than ourselves when we serve one another. We are called to serve, not to be served. This goes with the Great Commission of Ministry Networking. I try to offer up my web design skills as I meet new people.

I’m sure there a more ways to meet other youth leaders in person. What am I missing? Add your ideas in a comment below.

Up next: We’ll take a look at how to use online tools such as Twitter and Facebook to network with local youth leaders. If you want to stay up with the latest posts, be sure to subscribe to our RSS feed.

So what now? How do you start to team up with other youth ministries?

Pray for the other youth ministries – The first step is simply coming before God, our daddy, and asking for Him to guide us as we start to work together. By yourself, pray for their students (by name, if you can). Pray for their success and their ability to lead students into a deeper walk with Jesus. Pray for their leadership and for the rest of the church body.

Pray with the other youth ministries – Plan a time to pray with the other youth leaders. All the youth leaders will get on board with God’s will for the area, and even if we don’t do anything else together, at least the temptation to compare or compete will diminish as we pray for one another. Having many partners in prayer is one of many benefits of being part of a youth ministry network.

Pray for God to change hearts – Ask God to give churches of different denominations, traditions, leadership styles, ethnic and economic make-ups, and any other differences the desire to work together. Pray for your church leadership to see passed their own walls. Pray for the leadership of other churches for the same thing.

Many of us in the youth ministry profession are men and women of much action, but little prayer. From experience, I know how much more I’d rather be planning an event than praying for one. But in an area where the one who plants and the one who reaps is nothing (1 Cor 3:5-9), going to God first is key.

Let me ask you:  Do you pray for the other churches in your area? Do we need to ask God to forgive us of playing the petty numbers game?