Building a Strong Youth Ministry – An Interview With Mark DeVries, Part One
By Jerry L Work

In the following interview (part one of a two part series), a nationally recognized expert on youth ministry explains why it is so important for churches to put real effort into the building of youth ministries.

You are consulting with churches nationally. Tell us about the greatest needs that you are finding in local churches today.

Mark: As you know, most churches are looking for the quick fix. One church, who had been through 5 youth directors in 4 years, called us and asked if we could help them find a “youth ministry superstar.” That hope fits the expectations of most churches…they are hoping for just the perfect person, just the perfect program model, just the perfect youth space to build a thriving youth ministry. The problem is typically not with the sincerity of the leaders or with the components of the ministry; the problems is that there is no system, no process that moves the disconnected pieces of the ministry forward in a single direction.

What has been the most encouraging trend that you have seen recently concerning student ministry?

Mark: Churches desperately want to have a thriving youth ministry. Very few churches need to be convinced any more about how important youth ministry is. Churches are beginning to admit that they just might need a little help rethinking youth ministry.

Do you feel that churches are catching the vision to involve parents and truly partnering with them in discipleship?

Mark: Oh I wish they were. Most churches still see parents as ancillary to the real work of the youth ministry. I’ve read one youth ministry professor even suggest that youth workers who focus on family ministry are misguided, that they should focus on students and let the adult ministry staff worry about parents. At the same time, there is a groundswell of interest from a growing number of professionals, volunteers and parents involved in youth ministry that unless we equip and partner with parents, the long-term impact of our ministries will be severely compromised.

What are the indicators that most trouble or concern you with what is happening in many student ministries today?

Mark: My concern is not “events” per se. My concern is that events are approached episodically rather than systemically. A church does a Discipleship Now that is totally disconnected from the small group program which is totally disconnected from the Girls of Grace Conference which is totally disconnected from Acquire the Fire, which is totally disconnected from the summer mission trips. Each of those components are fine…usually better than fine. They usually touch kids’ lives deeply. What they fail to do though is to draw kids into a trajectory of faithfulness that integrates the transforming “moments” into truly transformed lives.

Youth Ministry Architects, founded by Mark DeVries, is one of the country’s top youth ministry consulting firms.

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from this article.

Sometimes God just smiles on you and you find something that you’ve always wanted … but were afraid to ask for. Yes, a high-powered tshirt launcher. From kipkay.com ….

And if that is not enough … here are the plans from kipkay.com

Source: Kipkay.com
http://kipkay.com/videos/explosions-and-loud-things/hi-power-t-shirt-launcher

Unshakeable

Originally uploaded by redroofventures

Ski trip season is upon us. This is a navy shirt printed with bright blue, white and gray. A vertical positioning … and snow every where. We are adding about 100 shirts a week to our template designs … sorry that we could not get it finished by Jan 1 … it was a bigger job than we calculated. But … in due time it will be finished. We want it to be right.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Haiti and also the NGO’s that supply help in any fashion.

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youth group | RIOT

Originally uploaded by redroofventures

This shirt is going out the door this afternoon along with several other last minute orders prior to Christmas. We have been blessed this holiday season with some great customers with good orders. This usually a slow time for us and we are usually having to lay people off … I am thankful that we have not had to lay anyone off. That’s a good thing.

This is a cool design … a three color front with a one color back tag. RIOT is the name of this church’s youth ministry. RIOT stands for Revolution in our Town … that is what the small print says at the bottom of the shirt. The shirt pops. You know when you hit on a good one when the shop likes it. They see many, many designs each week … but few that they might want for themselves.

Youth group names are very important. They convey a central message and theme … hopefully that the group can live up to. I was ready an article the

other day about leaders who name their groups and then in a couple of years the leader moves on … but the moniker stays with the group … sometimes for several years until one day someone asks … why do we call our selves this. Groups change and probably so should their focus and name. Students, I believe should have a choice and voice in what they are called. Ownership and belonging to the tribe is vital. Branding that tribe is important … along with meaning.

I life the name RIOT. I used to hear someone preach about the apostle Paul … everywhere that Paul went there was either revival or a riot. At least that is the way I remember it Our towns need revolution and it begins with one person believing that it can happen. There is such power when only one person truly believes.

Design 36

Originally uploaded by redroofventures

This is a re-design of a popular all over print we had printed a couple of years back. We did it this way to be able to offer it as one of our design

template packages. The shirt pictured is of course white (duh!) … but we can also print it on any LIGHT colored shirt for the same price. Oh, the price … in case you forgot is $6 each … and that is for a low minimum of 18. I truthfully believe you could not find a better deal. There is no set up fee … no extra cost except shipping … and most shipping costs are an average of $18-$25. 2X and above are a little more expensive. We change the name drop for you at no cost … it’s the group name right there in the amp.

be love serve repeat

Originally uploaded by redroofventures

Probably one of the most often repeat ordered tshirt we have printed. Printed on a charcoal gray Gildan 5000 tshirt. Economical. Practical. Most love to add a simple, small back tag to the right or left shoulder … to personalize the tshirt.

The statement is simple, bold and necessary. Some of tried to change the text layout on the front with a different font … I personally like it just as it is. I think we offer this in our design template shirts as well … now.

This is a winner for all.