Breakout Recap - "Sustainable Youth Ministry" w/ Mark Devries

One of the most impactful books you can read as a youth pastor is "Sustainable Youth Ministry" by Mark Devries.  Below are some statements made by Mark in his breakout.  Go get the book and let it shape your outlook on the youth ministry at your church.

When Ministry is stuck, you don't need any new ideas.  You need to execute on the ideas you currently have better.

Stop explaining away a stuck ministry because all around the country every church is in the same place and could have the same excuses.

Its not about numbers but its all about numbers.  How many students do you have that you haven’t seen in the past year?  Data should never disappear.  You need to use data to help you in your ministry.

If you are in the game of ministry and there is more than one human you interact with, you have to be ready to jump into politics in your church.

Most churches feel like if they find that ONE person that is better than the last lousy guy, they will solve their youth ministry problem.  That is a terrible stance to take as a church.  More often than not, hiring the "Superstar" is worse in the long run for that church.

Below are some measurables for youth ministry in America.  This is based on grades 6-12th grade:

The proper budget for a church’s youth ministry is about $1500 per kid.  This would include, program budget, salaries, benefits, etc. 

The ratio for staff is about 1 full time staff person for every 50 students involved weekly.  If they come to and are involved in 1 activity a week.

The 10% rule.  Youth Ministry numbers should be roughly 10% of your adult worship numbers.  You will never grow to over 20% of the total adult worship numbers.

If you want a thriving youth ministry, its going to cost something!

Stop spending your time thinking about how to get more to the table… take the attitude of changing the environment with a decision to make it happen.

You can do the wrong thing with the right spirit and nothing will work…. You can do the right thing with the wrong spirit and it still won’t work.

You have to rely on God's spirit, and do the right thing, with the right attitude and you will see what right ministry looks like through God's power.

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