Y OUTH M INISTRY A SSESSMENT R EPORT Building Sustainable Ministries... One Church at a Time

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1 Y OUTH M INISTRY A SSESSMENT R EPORT Building Sustainable Ministries... One Church at a Time Saint Michael and All Angels Episcpal Church Dallas, Texas March 30, 2015 By Melissa Rau, Lead Cnsultant and Laura Addis, Staff Cnsultant MelissaRau@ministryarchitets.cm Laura.Larsen.Addis@ministryarchitects.cm BACKGROUND Saint Michael and All Angels, lcated in the Highland Park neighbrhd f Dallas, Texas, can bast that it is the secnd largest parish within the Episcpal Church. Saint Michael hlds bth the blessings and challenges f a neighbrhd based church within a large, metrplitan area. Parishiners describe their church family as inclusive, intellectual, and a place with unrealized ptential. In the last year, Saint Michael and All Angels has gne thrugh a number f significant changes. The yuth directr recently resigned, and the rectr has annunced his retirement. A new vicar has been hired, and thugh the yuth ministry falls under the care f this psitin, there is little clergy invlvement in the yuth ministry due t the number f demands n the vicar s time. DESIGN sustainable, deep-impact ministries, ne church at a time BUILD the cmpetence, jy, and lngevity f ministry prfessinals CONSTRUCT bridges t the best ministry resurces available tday Page 1 f 29

2 The membership f the church is arund 6,900, and n an average week, 1,170 peple attend ne f the church s 15 wrship services, including nine weekend services and six weekday services. Saint Michael has five full time clergy and a large lay staff. Currently, there are apprximately 1,420 sixth thrugh twelfth graders n the rlls f Saint Michael. During a typical week, abut 190 f them participate in a wrship service, Sunday schl, Disciples, yuth grup, and/r small grup bible study. Bth lcal and internatinal summer missin trips hld a place f imprtance. The yuth ministry is described by sme yuth and parents as fun and a secnd hme while thers say it is a disengaged ministry. The church has a 2015 perating budget f $5,050,500. Fr the year 2015, the yuth ministry has a budget f $251,538 including the prgram budget. This includes the salaries/benefits fr the staff. There are apprximately 18 adult vlunteers invlved each week in ne f the majr yuth prgrams. Many f thse are tribe leaders in the Disciples prgram. Others help ut at special events r behind the scenes thrughut the year. The ministry is currently led by an assciate yuth directr wh has been at the church since There are tw vacancies within the current yuth ministry staffing structure: a full time yuth directr and a full time yuth administratr. In the past, there has been an active adult yuth ministry steering cmmittee which met mnthly and reprted t the yuth directr, but that cmmittee has nt met since May The yuth facilities received a majr verhaul in Saint Michael dedicated space and resurces t creating an area f the church specific t the needs f yuth. The area prvides wnership fr yuth and highlights the church s cmmitment t integrating technlgy. In additin, the church is preparing t re-envisin the use f the facilities as the Episcpal Schl f Dallas vacates the building in Ministry Architects was invited t d an initial assessment f the yuth ministry and t make recmmendatins abut hw it might mve strategically frward. Ministry Architects met with 36 individuals in eight listening grups r ne-n-ne meetings. What fllws are the findings gleaned frm thse cnversatins alng with recmmendatins and a prpsed timeline fr the future. YOUTH MINISTRY IN CONTEXT One lens Ministry Architects likes t use fr understanding yuth ministry is the idea f the three rents. Yuth ministries that pay these rents tend t have much greater freedm t be creative, take risks, and experiment with innvative ideas. Thse yuth ministries that fail t pay these rents ften find themselves mired in distrust, secndguessing, and discuragement. It has been Ministry Architects experience that thugh these three rents, in and f themselves, d nt ensure an effective r faithful ministry, they are ften the mst immediate evaluatin tls used by yuth, parents, staff, and the cngregatin at large. DESIGN sustainable, deep-impact ministries, ne church at a time BUILD the cmpetence, jy, and lngevity f ministry prfessinals CONSTRUCT bridges t the best ministry resurces available tday Page 2 f 29

3 Rent #1: NUMBERS A significant percentage f yuth need t be participating visibly in sme aspect f the church s ministry. It is imprtant fr this target number t be clearly agreed n by the church leaders and the staff. Irnically, when target numbers are nt established, the yuth ministry is typically mre likely t be judged by numbers than if the target numbers are clearly established. The cnsensus is that this rent is nt being paid. While a large number f yuth participate in sme aspect f the weekly life f Saint Michael, the target number is nt widely knwn, and the impressin is that there are fewer active yuth than there really are. Rent #2: PROGRAMS In rder t earn the right t experiment with changes, the yuth leadership needs t prvide the church with a few visible, effective yuth prgrams that give bth yuth and parents smething t talk abut. This rent appears t be paid. Nt nly are there are large number f prgrams happening at Saint Michael, a few in particular, namely Disciples and missin trips, are cnsistently talked abut. Rent #3: ENTHUSIASM The jyful enthusiasm and psitive attitude f the yuth staff, vlunteers, and the yuth themselves are essential t building trust with the leadership f the church and with the parents. High staff burn-ut and turnver, lw retentin rate f yuth, and general apathy twards the future f the yuth ministry suggest that this rent is nt being paid n time. As the leadership f the yuth ministry develps its lng-range visin, it will need, at the same time, t be attentive t these three rents. In this sense, the yuth ministry faces parallel challenges. Ministry Architects pictures the parallel challenge this way: 1. Laying the Fundatin: Building a fundatin and infrastructure that will ensure the yuth ministry s future effectiveness, and at the same time, 2. Cntinuing t D Ministry: Maintaining the current yuth ministry in a way that builds the enthusiasm f yuth, their families, the staff and the church at large. DESIGN sustainable, deep-impact ministries, ne church at a time BUILD the cmpetence, jy, and lngevity f ministry prfessinals CONSTRUCT bridges t the best ministry resurces available tday Page 3 f 29

4 As the yuth ministry leadership steps int this parallel prcess, five rules f thumb yuth ministry nrms will be helpful t keep in mind. These are nt necessarily targets fr success; they are simply what an average church typically experiences: 1) 10% f the Wrshiping Cngregatin In a typical church, the size f the yuth ministry tends t settle at a number that is arund 10% f the wrshiping cngregatin. A church with an average wrship attendance f 1,170 culd expect an average weekly attendance f arund 117 yuth per week. The current weekly attendance f 190 yuth (90 in yuth prgrams (including 60 in Disciples), 100 in wrship) is ver and abve the cmmn nrm fr a church this size. 2) 20% Ceiling Ministry Architects has als discvered that in many churches, the yuth ministry has difficulty grwing beynd a level that equals 20% f the weekly wrshiping cngregatin. Very few yuth ministries seem t be able t break beynd this 20% level. Saint Michael might keep in mind, then, that the expected ceiling fr this yuth ministry is arund 234 yuth. The rad t that level f participatin is dependent n increased staffing, vlunteers and budget. 3) $1,500 per Yuth With a budget f apprximately $251,538 (including prgram budget, staff salaries, and benefits) dedicated t the yuth ministry, Saint Michael has the capacity t effectively reach and maintain a weekly participatin level f smewhere in the neighbrhd f 168 yuth in sme aspect f the church s life. With 190 currently participating every week, the ministry is under-funded t retain even the currently attending yuth. In rder t maintain the ministry at its current rate, it wuld be wise t cnsider hw t give the ministry the resurcing it needs. 4) 1 Full-Time Staff Persn fr Every 50 Yuth Cnsidering all the psitins giving time t the yuth ministry, including yuth directr, assciate yuth directr and yuth administratr, Saint Michael has the equivalent f three full time staff persns. Accrding t this rule f thumb, Saint Michael has the capacity t sustain the engagement f abut 150 yuth n a weekly basis. The current staff cnfiguratin seems inadequate t sustain the needs f the ministry. Ordinarily, in ver-capacity yuth ministries, the yuth staff is set up t be unable t fulfill all the expectatins placed n them. The natural result is a climate f criticism and burn ut. 5) 1 Adult fr Every 5 Yuth Ministry Architects likes t think in terms f spans f care, recgnizing that, realistically, mst vlunteers cannt effectively versee the church s Christian nurture f mre than abut five yuth n an nging basis. With 18 weekly vlunteers (including 10 in Disciples), Saint Michael is currently at a rati f 1 adult leader t every 11 yuth, giving the ministry a capacity fr 90 yuth weekly. In ther wrds, the team is t small t attend t the relatinal needs f the 190 yuth wh currently attend. The vlunteer pl will need t expand if the church wants t sustain its impact with yuth. DESIGN sustainable, deep-impact ministries, ne church at a time BUILD the cmpetence, jy, and lngevity f ministry prfessinals CONSTRUCT bridges t the best ministry resurces available tday Page 4 f 29

5 BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE STAFF When a ministry is based slely n the giftedness f a single staff persn, instability is a predictable result. Ministry Architects has fund that the mst stable apprach t staffing a ministry, particularly in the early stages f a rebuild, is t build a staff f three different kinds f peple: The Architect: A persn r rganizatin that designs the building plan and ensures that building is dne in cmpliance with the agreed-upn plan. The General Cntractr: A persn r team wh manages the flw and sequencing f wrk, manages the building prcess accrding t the agreed-upn blueprint, and ensures that the apprpriate number f labrers is in place fr each stage f the prject. The Labrers: Thse peple charged with specific gifts and respnsibilities fr particular aspects f the wrk. In yuth ministry, a labrer might have particular skills in relating t yuth, in planning and managing events, r in teaching. Many churches hire, as their yuth directr, smene wh may have gifts in a single area but wh simply desn't have the experience base r the skill set t versee the cmplex cmpnents f a ministry f 190 r mre yuth. The result in these situatins can be a pattern f unrealistic expectatins fr the staff, which can lead t "scapegating," particularly in settings in which a sustainable infrastructure fr ministry has nt been established. At Saint Michael, this has cntributed t a high rate f staff burnut and turnver. ASSETS Strengths t prtect in the current yuth ministry Superb Staff: Over and ver again, listening grup participants expressed gratitude fr the assciate yuth directr s cmmitment, creativity, dedicatin and effectiveness. Additinally, there was cnsistently psitive feedback regarding the vicar verseeing the yuth ministry. The current staff members seemed t have their finger n the pulse f the strengths and weaknesses f the current yuth ministry and all expressed a desire t see the yuth ministry grw int a healthier, mre sustainable entity. Carlina checks in with me almst every day. I like and trust Bill immensely. Emily prvides parents with the skills and tls t mdel faith at hme t ur wn children. Carlina ges the extra mile and makes sure we feel imprtant. Dedicated Space: Saint Michael has dne a great jb prviding updated ministry space fr the yuth. A dedicated yuth facility includes several large classrms, meetings DESIGN sustainable, deep-impact ministries, ne church at a time BUILD the cmpetence, jy, and lngevity f ministry prfessinals CONSTRUCT bridges t the best ministry resurces available tday Page 5 f 29

6 areas, and a café. One persn cmmented, T me, ur greatest asset wuld be ur dedicated space. There is a kitchen, band, stage, prjectr. While the yuth area might nt be a perfect space (and many yuth mentined they d like t see the game tables fixed ASAP), the current yuth rm testifies t a tremendus cmmitment t the yuth ministry n behalf f the church. Raw Resurces: Saint Michael is uniquely psitined with an incredible pl f raw resurces. Nt nly des the church have significant financial resurces, there are abundant human resurces t be fund in the cmpetent, talented parish. One persn said, We have incredible ptential all arund us. Saint Michael is ready t talk abut building a sustainable yuth ministry, and they have a wealth f resurces t draw frm t build exactly that. Great Yuth: The fact that 15 yuth wuld turn ut fr listening grups t talk abut the yuth ministry is a sign that students care deeply abut the future effectiveness f this prgram. These yuth were clearly cmfrtable with each ther, described psitive experiences with their yuth grup, and expressed cnfidence that they are participating in smething that is imprtant and meaningful t their lives. Ministry Architects cnsistently heard cmments frm yuth like We lve cming t church n Wednesday nights and I wish mre peple knew abut and valued [Wednesday nights]. The yuth have a deep sense f cmmunity within the grup. Many yuth said, We ve always been a family, multiple times. Said ne yuth, We ve grwn up tgether. We ve always been accepted, it s like a secnd family. Nt nly are the yuth cmmitted t the church and t each ther, they want mre. The missin trips seem t be the highlight f each year and the yuth want even mre service pprtunities. Cmmitted Cre: There is a cre grup f extremely cmmitted lay vlunteers, mstly cncentrated within the Disciples prgram. These vlunteers shw great initiative, passin and dedicatin t the cnfirmatin prcess and t the yuth invlved in the prgram. This small grup prvides a cnsistent frmatinal basis fr the yuth f Saint Michael. The Disciples prgram, as it is nw, was fully cnceived and is fully sustained by lay vlunteers, basted ne parishiner. Heart fr Service: Again and again, participants in listening grups agreed that missin trips were ne f the mst successful prgrams in the yuth ministry, just as utreach is ne f the hallmarks f the larger Saint Michael cmmunity. Speaking abut missin trips, ne listening grup participant said, We have tremendus strengths, and we ught t play ff f thse strengths. Anther listening grup member said, We shuld narrw in and fcus n just ne thing: service. The yuth, parents, and leadership all place a high value n missins and service and wuld like t see even mre. Twenty-First Century Ready: Saint Michael has the technlgical resurces t sustain a relevant, up t date ministry. The dedicated yuth rm has AV capabilities, gaming DESIGN sustainable, deep-impact ministries, ne church at a time BUILD the cmpetence, jy, and lngevity f ministry prfessinals CONSTRUCT bridges t the best ministry resurces available tday Page 6 f 29

7 systems, digital picture frames and mre. The yuth ministry cmmunicates with yuth and parents thrugh a variety f technlgies (print, , text, SnapChat, Facebk), and the wider church prvides nt nly digital infrmatin, but digital devtins and spiritual encuragement. Children s Ministry: A yuth ministry is built n the fundatin pured by the children s ministry, and Saint Michael has an excellent children s ministry. Creative, thughtful, and varied, the children s frmatin and prgramming at Saint Michael puts the yuth ministry in an excellent psitin. One parent called the children s a kid-encuraging zne where children are equipped t wn their faith and prepared fr a lifetime f faith. Clarity f Need: There seems t be an acrss-the-bard cnsensus that the yuth ministry is nt all that the yuth, the parents, the vlunteers, and the staff wuld like it t be. It is easy fr Saint Michael t articulate what they wuld like t see a relatinal ministry that includes parents and adult vlunteers and creative yuth ministry fr teens t hear the gspel and equally easy t identify the pprtunities fr grwth. Said ne participant, we need t get yuth cmfrtable with basic elements f discipleship. The adults in the listening grups expressed that they hped and dreamed fr mre than what was currently ffered t their students. Said ne key leader, we dn t need t cmpete with ther churches prgrams, we need t d a few things that are life changing and impactful. Even the yuth themselves articulated a desire fr deeper engagement and leadership, saying, Yuth ministry is great nw but culd be better in ways that adults might nt think f. CHALLENGES Obstacles t mving the yuth ministry strategically frward Fuzzy Visin: Overall, listening grup participants were unable t articulate a cmmn visin fr the yuth ministry. There are als n measurable markers f effectiveness t determine hw well the ministry is meeting the needs f thse it serves. Withut specific gals in mind, the definitin f success is wildly different frm husehld t husehld. The fllwing is a plethra f varied sentiments with which flks respnded when asked what gals they have fr the yuth ministry: I just want the church t help reinfrce what we're teaching ur kids abut their faith at hme." I just want them t have fun and be cmfrtable talking abut Gd. I want them t have a sense f cmmunity and belnging. We shuld be ding mre missin and utreach activities. I want them t feel cnnected t each ther and t their church. I want my children t respect that their reality is nt everyne else s reality, s missin is imprtant. DESIGN sustainable, deep-impact ministries, ne church at a time BUILD the cmpetence, jy, and lngevity f ministry prfessinals CONSTRUCT bridges t the best ministry resurces available tday Page 7 f 29

8 I want ur kids t have the pprtunity t knw what it s like t walk in ther peples shes. We need t be mre like Highland Park UMC. We need t stp trying t be the churches dwn the rad, and instead f trying t be mre flashy, d less things, but with a greater impact. Withut a cmmn, unified visin fr the yuth ministry, Saint Michael runs the risk f handing ver the directin-setting t the staff, putting them in the psitin f a bus driver withut a map, and 190 passengers ffering backseat instructins. They will have n idea where t turn next. Wishy-Washy Christian Frmatin Plan: Thugh there is evidence f decent curricula being used and/r develped fr the yuth ministry, a clear-cut spiritual verview is missing. Withut an verarching Christian frmatin plan fr what Saint Michael wants their yuth t knw, feel, and d upn graduating frm the ministry, they run the great risk f a hit r miss apprach rather than giving their yuth all that Gd intends fr them t have. Withut a clearly expressed, well-knwn set f spiritual develpmental milestnes/rites f passage and an understanding f when yuth will reach thse markers, the pssibility strngly exists that the students culd miss the significant key pints within their Christian educatin. Anther risk f wrking withut a scpe and sequence is that the yuth staff r key vlunteers may be left with the respnsibility f chsing their wn versin f what they think the yuth shuld knw. While this wrks smetimes, ften it leads t fuzzy spiritual planning. At wrst, it can lead yuth dwn a spiritual path the church was nt prepared fr its students t g. It will als ften lead parents and ther adults wh care abut yuth t criticize what they feel may be missing. One parent cmmiserated, I really like sme f the lessns the kids are getting, but I m nt cnvinced we re giving them a gd fundatin n what it means t be an Episcpalian. Parents shared that Saint Michael culd d a much better jb f celebrating the yuth and their discipleship milestnes. Memrable Rites f Passage ften help usher yuth frm ne pint in their discipleship path t the next. Said ne listening grup member, We d an abysmal jb n bridging and retentin if there were a radmap fr bad, we d be it. Finally, there desn t seem t be any srt f way fr Saint Michael t review and evaluate any f the current curricula it s using fr the different prgrams within the yuth ministry. Perhaps ne f the mst pignant cmments we heard was frm a yuth: I learn mre abut Jesus in the ne week I spend at Sky Ranch than I d during the entire year at Saint Michael. Majr Cracks in the Fundatin: Thugh Saint Michael incrprates a few tls t help supprt its yuth ministry, there are many imprtant cmpnents nt being fully maximized r are altgether nn-existent. When vlunteers were asked if they had jb descriptins, ne participant mused, That s a great idea. DESIGN sustainable, deep-impact ministries, ne church at a time BUILD the cmpetence, jy, and lngevity f ministry prfessinals CONSTRUCT bridges t the best ministry resurces available tday Page 8 f 29

9 Sme f the fllwing cmpnents are currently missing r nt being best utilized at Saint Michael: results-based vlunteer jb descriptins, an 18-mnth majr event calendar, standard attendance tracking and recrding prcedures, majr event ntebks, yuth ministry directry, yuth ministry manual, first-timers fllw-up prcesses, etc. In fact, when asked abut hw visiting yuth were welcmed and invited back, ne yuth admitted, Well, that s kind f n us. Tending t the Flck: There are 1,420 yuth n the membership rlls at Saint Michael. Each week there are fewer than 190 yuth participating in church activities (90 in yuth prgrams (including in 60 in Disciples), 100 in wrship). If the rlls are current, then apprximately 87% f the church s yuth are missing in actin. Saint Michael des nt currently have an intentinal plan t re-cnnect with these families. One listening grup participant admitted, We get s many kids t cme t Cnfirmatin, but then they disappear. I m nt sure what we ve dne t keep them cming r bring them back in nce they ve left after they ve been cnfirmed. Nt ging after yuth and their families will ensure the success f nt catching any wh are lking fr a place t belng. Due t the sheer magnitude f the membership rlls at Saint Michael, it is challenging t figure ut wh the flck is in the first place. Since the church uses the Shelby database system, but the yuth ministry uses Ministry Tracker, it s nt very easy t accurately track wh is and wh isn t cming. Vlunteer Recruitment and Develpment: While there is a highly cmmitted cre f vlunteers in the Disciples Prgram, mst ther places f the yuth ministry are extremely under-supprted by adult vlunteers. Simultaneusly, there is n clear plan fr training and retaining current r future vlunteers. This can lead t frustratin r burnut amng even the mst cmmitted vlunteers, causing them t suddenly step dwn frm their cmmitment. In additin, current vlunteers d nt recall having a wrking jb descriptin t prvide clarity f the rle r the freedm t experiment wisely, which culd nt nly prvide clearly defined expectatins, but als create a level f accuntability. Many viced their desire fr a prcess that will recruit ptential vlunteers, equip leaders, and celebrate the team s successes elements that are vital in building a healthy team fr ministry. There desn t seem t be evidence f a ministry manual utlining best practices fr vlunteers s thse wh wrk with yuth can understand healthy bundaries and avid unnecessary risk. Thugh Saint Michael has been intentinal n ensuring that all vlunteers attend the Safeguarding Gd s Peple training, nt all have, nr is it certain that every vlunteer has had a backgrund check. Vlunteers als shared that there isn t a way fr them t evaluate their effectiveness in the ministry. Cmmunicatin Breakdwn: Thugh sme parents reprted that Saint Michael des a gd jb f cmmunicating the wheres and whens f yuth prgramming, they shared their desire t knw mre f what s ging n. Fr instance, ne mm shared she lves when the yuth ministry des series fr parents and yuth t learn abut things like sex and dating. The same mm cntinued, I just wish there was a way we knew hw we DESIGN sustainable, deep-impact ministries, ne church at a time BUILD the cmpetence, jy, and lngevity f ministry prfessinals CONSTRUCT bridges t the best ministry resurces available tday Page 9 f 29

10 culd help reinfrce the lessns ur yuth are getting in yuth grup and Sunday schl at hme. Sme claimed the church actually des t much cmmunicating, therefre, parents may be less likely t pen imprtant yuth ministry s due t the versaturatin f all the ther church cmmunicatin. Hw is the church branding their yuth ministry bth within and beynd the walls f Saint Michael? Thriving, sustainable ministries have a cmmunicatin strategy t market and brand prgrams and events, bth internally and externally. In additin, by strategically advertising and marketing events r prgramming, yuth may share their stries and experiences smething that helps create mmentum and adds t the psitive effect f the ministries n their lives and the life f the parish. When asked what the yuth were up t, many culdn t answer the questin because they simply didn t knw. This prblem is cmpunded by the fact that, thugh newsletters/e-blasts are sent t mst parents f yuth, flks withut kids in the prgram dn t get t see r hear much abut what s ging n. By giving the yuth a means t cmmunicate their experiences r achievements amng the cngregatin, they can be actively celebrated by the whle church. Climate Cntrl: Family, belnging, tight-knit, and accepting were all wrds t describe the yuth wh actively engage in the yuth ministry at Saint Michael. Cliquy was als a wrd used. Thugh the grup has als been described as welcming, a cuple f listening grup participants revealed, It s nt always easy fr sme kids t break-in t the grup...especially after they ve been cnfirmed. There seems t be a perceptin that it is easier fr either public schl r private schl students t break int the yuth ministry. The current yuth aren t mean. They truly want their grup t grw. In fact, ne f their greatest expressed hpes fr the yuth ministry is t incrprate mre kids. In ther wrds, they aren t trying t be exclusive. Unfrtunately, there hasn t been intentinal training fr these yuth t create the climate f welcme, invitatin, and hspitality. One-Eared Mickey Muse: Thugh many shared their deep desire t see yuth fully integrated int the life f the parish, the cnsensus is that the yuth are in a sil, separate frm the rest f the church. There aren t many pprtunities fr the yuth t serve in leadership rlls during wrship services, unless yu cnsider the pprtunity t aclyte. Hwever, even the majrity f the aclytes are adults. Sme shared their frustratin that the campus itself may cntribute t the fact that yuth are hardly ever seen. One listening grup member reprted, It s great that the yuth have their wn dedicated yuth area, but I can t remember the last time smene ther than a parent actually stepped ft in the yuth space. There aren t many pprtunities fr intergeneratinal integratin. Since the yuth aren t always seen tgether due t the very different areas in which the varied prgrams take place (e.g. yuth Sunday schl in the yuth rm, Disciples in the theater, wrship, small grups thrughut the week, DESIGN sustainable, deep-impact ministries, ne church at a time BUILD the cmpetence, jy, and lngevity f ministry prfessinals CONSTRUCT bridges t the best ministry resurces available tday Page 10 f 29

11 etc.), many peple dn t fully knw hw many yuth are actually engaged in the life f the church. When yuth were asked if they felt like they were knwn r celebrated in the church, ne yuth said, I feel like we re seen, but I dn t think we re recgnized I like the idea f having a full yuth page in the Archangel. Anther glaring reality is that there is an unhealthy expectatin that the nly adult vlunteers wh shuld be invlved in the yuth ministry are parents f yuth. When the grups were asked where the lder adult vlunteers are, ne parishiner replied, Unfrtunately, lder members are kind f hands ff. They have the mentality that they ve been there, dne that and that its the yunger parents jb. Finally, a few members shared their desire fr mre f a pastral presence amng the yuth ministry prgramming. One participant stated, I understand that ur clergy have a lt n their plate, but I feel like the kids never get t see r knw ur priests. Hw can they feel valued and cnnected t the church if they dn t knw ur pastral staff? Thy Staff, They Cmfrt Me: Saint Michael is blessed with parishiners wh want the very best. They want skilled and experienced yuth ministry prfessinals wh can grw the yuth ministry t be all it can be. Unfrtunately, Saint Michael has becme staffdependent, which makes it impssible t achieve a sustainable mdel f ministry ne that desn t revlve arund the quintessential super star yuth minister. The yuth ministry is currently experiencing what Ministry Architects likes t call, a crisis f capacity. Due t the fact the ministry is already understaffed because f the vacant staff psitins, the current staff is carrying an almst crushing lad. Since there is a drught f adult vlunteers wh are devted t building deep-impact relatinships with yuth, Saint Michael will have a difficult time grwing, and in fact, culd even see the current participatin levels shrink. In additin, unless Saint Michael adpts a healthier staffing structure, the staff is at high risk f burning ut simply because f the many rles they are trying t fill withut the supprt f a healthy vlunteer team. A few parishiners shared their cncern ver the high rate f staff and clergy turnver, smething the church will need t acknwledge when deciding their next steps fr building a healthy, lng-term staffing plan Cnfirmatin Cnundrum: In a cuple f aspects, the Disciples prgram is a win since it attracts a large number f 6 th graders and because it s wned and perated primarily by adult vlunteers. Cnfirmatin was heralded by mst fr hw cnsistent the prgramming is frm ne year t the next, a true testament t what sustainability is all abut. Hwever, there was sme cncern shared by many regarding the lack f staff versight and verall clergy invlvement. One parishiner shared, I think it s great that we ve had and have such dedicated parents wh run the shw, but I think we need t d a better jb f incrprating Cnfirmatin under the yuth ministry umbrella. There is perceptin that the curriculum desn t seem t have been evaluated ver the curse f ten t fifteen years. First f all, the space they re in stinks fr yuth; they are frced t sit in the lecture-style theater, and it isn t very engaging fr 6 th graders, shared ne parishiner. Anther critiqued, It s bring. I wish we culd reimagine the way we teach these kids s they can cnnect better with ne anther and the lessns. DESIGN sustainable, deep-impact ministries, ne church at a time BUILD the cmpetence, jy, and lngevity f ministry prfessinals CONSTRUCT bridges t the best ministry resurces available tday Page 11 f 29

12 Hwever, there are a few fans. Mst parents seem t lve the cntent. And even a cuple f yuth really liked it. One such yuth said, Cnfirmatin was a big step fr me. I lved it. It s where I realized Jesus was my savir and my redeemer. Finally, nbdy can deny the retentin prblem. Thugh cnfirmatin retentin is a challenge fr the majrity f churches acrss the cuntry, many cmmunicated they feel like Saint Michael culd d a better jb at keeping kids and their families engaged pstcnfirmatin. I dn t think we re gd at integrating r transitining, claimed ne persn, while anther cmmiserated, It s like we had an army f three years lds that turned int just a handful f high schlers. Cmparisn The Thief f Jy: Highland Park UMC, Highland Park Presbyterian, PCPC, Watermark, and even Incarnatin, were churches t whm sme Saint Michael parishiners were cnsistently cmparing themselves. Here s the deal: Saint Michael and All Angels is a church with an abundant wealth f gifted, talented, and successful peple within its cmmunity. By cnstantly cmparing the yuth prgram t the nes dwn the street, flks are rbbed f the pprtunity t celebrate the gd things Gd is currently ding with, thrugh, and in the yuth wh call Saint Michael their church hme. One wise parishiner suggested, We need t stp trying t be wh we re nt, and start reimagining hw we can be wh Gd made us t uniquely be. Lack f Input: There was a very lw rate f attendance in the listening grup sessins, despite many invitatins. Thirty-six participants came t share their insights cncerning the yuth ministry. Ministry Architects typically meets with listening grup participants in churches wh wrship nt even a third f the flks wh wrship at Saint Michael. Althugh cmmn themes emerged frm mst f the grups, giving Ministry Architects a clear understanding f the inner wrkings f the yuth ministry, the fact that s few peple participated in the prcess left an impressin that flks might be a bit ambivalent abut the verall success f the yuth ministry. Of curse, thse wh were present care a great deal, but ne might pnder, Where was everyne else? One parishiner culdn t help but speculate alud, I m afraid there s just a certain level f apathy here. We talk a gd game. We want t be the best. But when it cmes dwn t shwing up, I m afraid many peple just can t be bthered. It s sad, really. Glbal Systemic Issues: One glaring challenge the yuth ministry is facing is the beast f a system that is Saint Michael and All Angels Church. The size f the church and the need fr better-run systems within the larger church, make it difficult fr an individual ministry such as the yuth ministry t functin with any great success. Fr the yuth ministry t be extrardinarily successful, there are systemic issues within the larger church that will need t be addressed. There seems t be skepticism amng sme parishiners abut what the yuth ministry is trying t d. One cncerned member shared, What we are trying t d here with the yuth ministry gives me such hpe. But then I cnsider all the things that might sabtage sustained change due t sme f the things that the yuth ministry desn t have any cntrl ver. Fr instance, cmmunicatin is ne f thse sticky areas where, due t the cmmunicatins department verall cncern (rightfully s) f cmmunicatin DESIGN sustainable, deep-impact ministries, ne church at a time BUILD the cmpetence, jy, and lngevity f ministry prfessinals CONSTRUCT bridges t the best ministry resurces available tday Page 12 f 29

13 saturatin, sme f the yuth ministry cmmunicatins is ratined. Whether it s right r wrng, sme things simply aren t being prmted t the level in which many wuld hpe they culd be. Anther dynamic sme shared is the desire t have a mre cntemprary/cntemplative wrship service. Thugh we had sme pretty successful pilt services fr the 11:11 service, nes that created sme buzz and excitement, when it came time t implement the actual change, fr sme reasn, it didn t stick. Slwly but surely, what was suppsed t be a cntemprary service, ended up evlving back t the way things were befre, shared ne member. Anther wndered alud, It seems t me like what we want desn t really matter in the grand scheme f things. And since there was n real clergy versight t the cntemprary service, I m afraid it s just ging t be verlked. The reality is, quite a few dynamics need t be cnsidered when making a change t any church s verall wrship schematic. Space issues, budget, music, clergy versight, t name a few, that are ften underestimated and misunderstd. RECOMMENDATIONS 1) Reframe the next 18 mnths as a time f gal-setting and infrastructure building fr the yuth ministry. Target September 2016 as the date fr achieving sustainable structures fr the yuth ministry knwing that incremental successes will be seen thrughut the renvatin. 2) Invite the existing prayer team t undergird this renvatin prcess. 3) Present this reprt t the Vestry, requesting that they endrse an 18-mnth strategic design prcess fr the yuth ministry. 4) Establish a Yuth Ministry Renvatin Team, made up f six t seven vlunteers wh reprt regularly t the vicar, until a new yuth directr is hired. These nnanxius, gal-riented peple will free up the staff t fcus n exceptinal day-t-day ministry, while the Renvatin Team fcuses n the recmmendatins belw. These recmmendatins include tw verarching respnsibilities: I. Wrk with the yuth ministry leadership t address the immediate pressure pints facing the ministry as they transitin tward sustainability. II. Establish a cnsensus fr the directin f the ministry and take respnsibility fr implementing the strategic, lng-term changes recmmended in this reprt. 5) Engage the services f Ministry Architects t take respnsibility fr: Wrking with the staff and vlunteers t ensure the achievement f the utcmes utlined in this reprt s timeline, Assisting the yuth ministry in vercming the bstacles that are certain t arise in the prcess f restructuring and fine-tuning the yuth ministry. DESIGN sustainable, deep-impact ministries, ne church at a time BUILD the cmpetence, jy, and lngevity f ministry prfessinals CONSTRUCT bridges t the best ministry resurces available tday Page 13 f 29

14 Assisting the Renvatin Team and Yuth Ministry Search Team with the search prcess t fill the pen staff psitins. RENOVATION TEAM TASK #1: Address the Pressure Pints (Accmplish these urgent tasks first t create a healthy climate cnducive t change.) Pressure Pint #1: Build a Team In rder fr yuth t frm relatinships that can be better nurtured between Gd, adult vlunteers, and peers, it is vital that many mre adults becme directly invlved in the yuth ministry by being present n Wednesday nights during yuth grup, cnfirmatin, and Sunday schl, and small grups. These adult vlunteers will be primarily respnsible fr discipling the yuth f Saint Michael in rder that they may develp a deep-impact faith and remain cnnected t the church beynd high schl. The fllwing steps shuld be taken in rder t recruit a base f vlunteers wh are skillfully matched with the needs f the ministry and the persn s wn gifts and talents: Based n the calendar fr , determine the vlunteer needs fr the yuth ministry, remembering t create n-ramps fr new vlunteers. Cmplete results-based, written jb descriptins fr all vlunteer psitins in the yuth ministry, and create a structure fr the nging training f all vlunteers. Develp and implement a written Vlunteer Matriculatin Prcess, incrprating a detailed vlunteer applicatin frm. Calendar a leadership launch fr each ministry where vlunteers are being equipped with all the infrmatin they need t knw abut their rle, the resurces needed in rder t serve in their rle (curricula, special knwledge, etc.), and an utline f the majr events planned fr the entire year. Create a fishing pnd f at least 100 ptential vlunteers wh culd serve in a hands-n, weekly rle, behind-the-scenes rle, r light supprt rle. Be intentinal abut recruiting lder members f the parish, recgnizing that the Baptismal Cvenant is made by thse f all generatins. Marry the fishing pnd with the vlunteer needs list, inviting a wide variety f adults int varius rles. Hld a Dial-a-thn The Renvatin Team can assist in making phne calls t recruit ptential vlunteers. Determine what ther heavy lifting rles can be established and recruit accrdingly. Visit: t learn abut a vlunteer recruiting prcess with prven effectiveness. Dn t give up! Pressure Pint #2: Begin the Search Vacant Yuth Ministry Psitins T address the dynamic that Saint Michael is currently grssly under-staffed, understand that it will be nearly impssible t achieve sme f the hpes and dreams listening grup participants have unless there is a vcatinally trained and skilled General Cntractr leading the ministry tward a directin f sustainability by equipping and empwering DESIGN sustainable, deep-impact ministries, ne church at a time BUILD the cmpetence, jy, and lngevity f ministry prfessinals CONSTRUCT bridges t the best ministry resurces available tday Page 14 f 29

15 vlunteers, and encuraging and resurcing parents. The fllwing are sme steps that shuld be taken as sn as pssible: Cnsider hiring Ministry Architects t supprt the search prcess by prviding caching fr the search team in hiring the mst qualified candidate, and tap int its vast yuth ministry netwrks in rder t prmte the pen psitins. Prayerfully frm a Search Cmmittee cmprised f 4-5 individuals (separate frm the Renvatin Team) fr hiring all additinal yuth ministry staff. Develp new, results-based jb descriptins fr all the yuth ministry staff psitins (filled and vacant), paying special attentin t hw the new directr f yuth ministries can cmpliment and cllabrate with the ther yuth ministry staff and rdained clergy at Saint Michael. Develp a game plan fr a staffing cnfiguratin that will prvide clarity and the structure fr spiritual and numerical grwth (keeping in mind the prs and cns f having a clergy persn serve in the directr psitin). Pressure Pint #3: Develp Cntrl Dcuments In rder t set the yuth ministry up fr success, undergird the ministry with sme key dcuments: Jb Descriptins: Results-based jb descriptins need t be created fr every single vlunteer wh wrks with yuth r helps the ministry in any way thrugh event planning, implementatin, etc. Nt nly d jb descriptins serve as a way t evaluate the effectiveness f smene being able t hnr their cmmitments, but they serve as an excellent vlunteer recruiting tl. Many ptential vlunteers are t busy t cmmit t an ambiguus plea fr help; hwever, when they see a jb descriptin detailing exactly what they need t d and what is expected frm them, they are mre likely t say yes. 18-Mnth Majr Event Calendars Majr Event Ntebks: A master ntebk needs t be cmpiled fr each event that makes it pssible fr the event t be easily duplicated in the future. Ministry Directries: A directry fr the yuth ministry needs t be created and distributed as well as a rster f all vlunteers. Pressure Pint #4: Cast a Unified Visin fr the Yuth Ministry Implement a strategic prcess that will engage adult vlunteers, parents f yuth and lder children, Sunday schl teachers, and lder members f the cngregatin in casting and clarifying a lng-range visin fr the yuth ministry. Cnsider partnering with Ministry Architects t facilitate an excellent prcess thrugh which the fllwing are develped: A Yuth Ministry Missin Statement A Set f Defined the Cre Values Three-Year, Revlving Gals and One-Year Benchmarks An Organizatinal Chart that reflects the true nature f hw the yuth ministry wrks, ensuring that the rganizatinal flw makes sense with the verall bjectives f the individuals serving DESIGN sustainable, deep-impact ministries, ne church at a time BUILD the cmpetence, jy, and lngevity f ministry prfessinals CONSTRUCT bridges t the best ministry resurces available tday Page 15 f 29

16 RENOVATION TEAM TASK #2: Establishing a cnsensus fr the directin f the yuth ministry and the creatin f its infrastructure, including the cmpletin f the fllwing tasks: BUILDING INFRASTRUCTURE AND STABILITY Hst a Quick Start Retreat: Invite the Renvatin Team, key vlunteers, and yuth staff t participate in a Quick Start Retreat in which the renvatin prcess is launched and the pressure pints utlined in the Assessment Reprt are addressed. The retreat tackles the items that need t be dne first, and builds mmentum fr the yuth ministry renvatin prcess. Christian Frmatin: Gather a team fr a Christian Frmatin Retreat t discuss the learning bjectives f each prgram and hw these might be accmplished utilizing available curriculum. Evaluate the upcming year s curricula t ensure its relevance and effectiveness. Develp a lng-range scpe and sequence as well as a set f cre cmpetencies fr the yuth ministry prgramming. Determine hw the curriculum selected will be cmmunicated t vlunteers. Decide what level f training will be required prir t full implementatin. Cmpliance Dcuments: Ensure that cpyright licensing fr music and vides has been btained, an applicatin and screening prcess fr every vlunteer is in place, and all adults wrking with any yuth affirm a sexual abuse/child prtectin plicy. Attendance: Track attendance fr all yuth activities and develp an attendance system that allws fr easy access t weekly participatin numbers. Internal Cmmunicatin: Establish nrmative prcesses fr effective and timely cmmunicatin with parents, yuth, and leaders utilizing as many frms f cmmunicatin as pssible including updating the yuth page f the church s website, Facebk, mass texting, mail, , etc. Marketing: Establish clear marketing strategies that allw parents, yuth, leaders, and the brader church t be expsed t the successes and gd news surrunding the yuth ministry. Branding: Design easily distinguishable names and lgs fr each prgram in rder t leave a psitive impressin n church members and visitrs. Yuth Ministry Manual: Develp a Yuth Ministry Manual, including the mst recent yuth directry, a Mnth calendar, results-based jb descriptins fr staff and vlunteers, cmpliance dcuments, budgets, game plans, a DESIGN sustainable, deep-impact ministries, ne church at a time BUILD the cmpetence, jy, and lngevity f ministry prfessinals CONSTRUCT bridges t the best ministry resurces available tday Page 16 f 29

17 preventative maintenance calendar, and ntes fr every majr yuth ministry event. Database Training: Prvide a way fr all yuth ministry staff and key vlunteers t use the Shelby Church Management System effectively and efficiently. DEVELOPING AND NURTURING STAFF AND SERVANTS Staff Develpment: Prvide mechanisms fr n-ging educatin and caching fr the yuth ministry staff including caching, reading and seminars. Sustainable Pace: Help each yuth ministry staff member develp a rhythmic week including a Sabbath and balcny time (that is, time t lk at the big picture and make strategic plans). Leadership Develpment: Cmplete results-based, written jb descriptins fr all paid and vlunteer psitins in the yuth ministry and create a structure fr the nging training f all vlunteers at least quarterly. Vlunteer Recruitment: Build a frtified vlunteer leadership team, sme f wh will d relatinal ministry with yuth while thers wrk behind the scenes. Create a clear and cmplete list f the vlunteer needs. Create a fishing pnd list f at least 100 pssible vlunteers t call n fr weekly vlunteer psitins. Parent Equipping: Cnsidering the fact that 72% f a child s faith is influenced by his r her parents, build upn the current parent equipping strategies emplyed by Saint Michael. Fr example, the yuth ministry can questins fr parents fr them t help reinfrce the lessns the yuth learned at church; Perhaps create a parent supprt grup fr mms and dads t gather in fellwship; Or create yuth apprpriate family resurces fr liturgical seasn; etc. Braden Vlunteer Definitin and Opprtunities: Create additinal, nnthreatening pprtunities fr adult invlvement in the prgram. Encurage vlunteer invlvement in bth visible and behind-the-scenes pprtunities. Leadership Launch: Schedule and implement an inspiring leadership-training event fr all vlunteer yuth wrkers at the beginning f each schl year. DEVELOPING CLEAR STRATEGIES AND NEW INITIATIVES Climate Cntrl: Harness the desire f the yuth t have a friendly and welcming envirnment. Recruit and train a team f yuth wh are cmmitted t creating a climate f welcme and friendship in the ministry. (Thriving Yuth Grups by Jeanne May wuld be a gd ckbk fr the grup). Jyful Celebratin: Perhaps nthing can be mre fulfilling than flks feeling empwered and encuraged t live int their unique gifts and talents. In rder t DESIGN sustainable, deep-impact ministries, ne church at a time BUILD the cmpetence, jy, and lngevity f ministry prfessinals CONSTRUCT bridges t the best ministry resurces available tday Page 17 f 29

18 cmbat the culture f cmparing Saint Michael t the ther large churches in twn, create a game plan that will address hw the church will begin celebrating the unique missin f the yuth ministry. Integratin: Develp a game plan fr helping the yuth becme an integral part f the whle church, weaving the yuth ministry int the fabric f the entire church. Persnal Cnnectin Plan: Develp a system fr ensuring that every family in the current yuth directry is cntacted persnally at least nce a year in rder t make a cnnectin, express supprt, and clarify if there are any parents requesting that their sns and/r daughters be remved frm the church s directry. First-Timer Prcess: Develp a prcess fr welcming new families, yuth, and guests t the church s that they feel warmly welcmed. Dcument a timely fllw up plan t ensure their return t the church. Retentin Plans fr the Yuth Ministry: Create game plans fr Keeping yuth invlved in the yuth prgrams after Cnfirmatin Cntinuing t engage yuth wh have gtten their drivers license Intentinally reaching ut t missing-in-actin (MIA) yuth and recnnecting them with the life f the church Cnfirmatin: Develp a Cnfirmatin game plan with the assistance f the clergy and input frm a key grup f parents, and reimagine the Disciples prgram s the curriculum is mre engaging and relevant t the bjective f preparing yuth fr wning their wn faith, and adpt a strategy that will help retain yuth, pst-cnfirmatin. Clergy Presence: Create a game plan fr yuth, parents, and leaders t feel knwn and valued by the clergy. Mdernized Wrship: Create a game plan that will address the desire fr flks (bth yung and ld) t have the pprtunity t attend a mre intentinally designed wrship service that engages parishiners in a mre nn-traditinal way. In cnjunctin with the campus planning prcess, implement strategies that will address the desire fr ne f the majr Sunday mrning wrship services t be designed t engage thse wh wuld appreciate a mre cntemprary/cntemplative frm f wrship. Rites f Passage: Develp a written plan fr the prcesses, events, and privileges that will: Welcme and cnnect the new 6 th graders and their parents int the yuth ministry Welcme and cnnect the new 9 th graders and their parents int the high schl ministry DESIGN sustainable, deep-impact ministries, ne church at a time BUILD the cmpetence, jy, and lngevity f ministry prfessinals CONSTRUCT bridges t the best ministry resurces available tday Page 18 f 29