The vast majority of the graduating high school seniors of churches drop out of active involvement in their church by the time they graduate from high school.
Why are so many students leaving churches during their middle and high school years? There are lots of possible reasons: youth ministry turnover, change in youth ministry direction, part-time jobs, sports activities, too much "play" and not enough spiritual growth in the youth ministry, separation of the youth ministry from the rest of the church, and lack of spiritual transformation.
But what can you do? Here are a few practical things — whether you are a parent, grandparent, youth leader, or church staff member — to help the middle and high school students of your church grow and mature in Christ and serve Him during these years.
1. Encourage mission involvement.
Going on church and youth mission trips is one of the best ways for a student to personalize his or her faith. As the director of an on-campus collegiate ministry, when I ask incoming college freshmen why they stayed close to Christ during their high school years, many of them share the importance a mission trip or mission involvement had in strengthening their walk with the Lord. Consider participating in a mission trip and local mission ministries as a family. Organize your service with several families in your church.
2. Live it out.
As a parent or grandparent, be an example to students. They are watching and observing how you live out your faith. Are you having a daily quiet time? Are you memorizing Scripture? Are you using your spiritual gifts? Are you sharing your faith with your co-workers, friends, and relatives? Are you involved in local missions and the mission trips of your church?
If your son or daughter really is like you spiritually, what kind of Christian will that make them? Are you a 24/7 Christian or just a weekend warrior? If you aren't living out your faith, then chances are great that your son or daughter will follow in your footsteps.
3. Help them get to know the staff and other adults in your church.
Students need to be a part of the total church, not just the youth ministry. Be creative in helping them get to know the church staff and other strong Christian adults in your church. I am convinced that students "catch" Christianity as much as they learn it. As they spend time with other strong Christian adults, students grow in their faith.
4. Realize the importance of the summer student conferences.
Many youth groups participate in a summer conference such as World Changers, Student Life, or FugeCamps. These weeks can be invaluable in helping students grow and mature in their faith. As they spend a concentrated period of time in Bible study, prayer, and worship, they "catch" a passion for Christ from the camp leaders and counselors. They develop strong friendships with other students and the adult leaders of your church.
Plan your vacations around major youth conferences your church attends. Make sure your older students don't let summer jobs or sports activities keep them from participating. Valuable spiritual growth can be missed.
5. Secure a spiritual mentor for your middle or high school students.
When a student needs help with a specific subject or they want to learn a musical instrument or athletic skill, parents find a tutor, teacher, or coach. Your son or daughter needs help growing spiritually, as well. Consider seeking out a mentor for them. This mentor could be a college student or a young adult in your church, and the mentor should be of the same sex.
The mentor could meet with a student weekly or monthly to work through a Bible study together, memorize Scripture, pray, and so on.
6. Involve students in ownership of their church.
During the past 20 years many student ministers have put together worship teams to lead their student worship services. Doing so has been a great way to increase the service opportunities and ownership of the student ministry in churches. Students "step up" spiritually as they realize they are leading other youth.
Churches can also involve students in committees and leadership teams of their church. This might include serving as greeters, taking up the offering, helping serve meals for the church, or working with the children. This is a "hands on" generation. Let them serve!
Connect Graduating Seniors to Campus Ministries
As a collegiate minister for more than 30 years I can confidently say that being able to contact incoming students months before they arrive on campus greatly increases our chances of reaching and involving the student. Visit sbccampusconnect.net to connect with your student's campus ministry. To contact the BCM director visit bcmlife.net.
Encourage high school juniors to be Senior Disciples
Senior Disciples commit to being leaders in their youth groups and to reaching out to their high school for Christ during their senior year. They can sign up at seniordisciple.net.
Encourage high school graduates to be Collegiate Disciples
Collegiate Disciples commit to being involved in a local church and the Baptist Collegiate Ministry at the college or university they attend, as well as being a disciple for Christ while in college. Students can sign up at collegiatedisciple.net.
This article is courtesy of Parenting Teens magazine.