I’ve been thinking over the last couple of days about one of our biggest struggles production-wise in our Middle School ministry. One of the most defining attributes of our ministry, apart from being clearly focused on connecting students in small groups, is the fact that we have one meeting time and that meeting time is on Sunday morning during our first two main worship services.
The discussion can and will go on forever whether this is the optimal time for middle school students to have a worship experience. Due to many circumstances, North Point Community Church will probably continue to offer only the Sunday morning worship opportunity for Middle School Students. I believe it is effective but I’m always looking to improve whatever I’m involved in. One thing that can’t be argued is that in order to have a “successful” program that attracts visitors, offers something for regular attendees and engages both student and volunteer you must have an element of momentum or energy.
As a retreat and event-producing ministry, we do this well. However, as for our regular Sunday morning environment I feel like we are always struggling for momentum. Some believe it’s because of the Sunday morning/sleepy kid syndrome. Others think it has to do with the choice of music. While still others blame the aesthetics of the room itself. I’d love to hear some ideas on creating momentum for morning worship experience for students. So let the discussion begin.
This will be a bit depressing if no one comments back. Oh well, can’t blame a guy for trying.
phillipmccart.wordpress.com 
Phillip,
You present some great questions on momentum. One of the things we do well for our morning (which has now grown double in the past year) is having the kids involved in almost every area of the morning time. Worship, tech, skits, even how the rooms looks has kids input with it. It seems to be doing something for the group. Just my thought and I want to give you at least one comment so you won’t be sad.
I feel like the more you pour into your volunteers…the more excited they become…it will translate into students being cared for in such a way that they are also excited to be there.
Especially if you can pour into younger volunteers, like high school students who are jr high small group leaders! If you’ve got the baseball or football player leading a group of jr high boys…wow, that can be powerful.
Phillip,
Great thoughts and questions!!! It was awesome spending time with you at the Summit.
Any interest in exchanging blog roll links? Let me know.
When we decide on a direction with our ministry, we will have to work on a focus for our momentum. For us, it is the idea of community. While we seek to put students into small groups and into mentoring relationships with adults, it is the thoughts of community that DRIVE my staff and students to connect and to relate to one another. We seek to create an atmosphere where students WANT to hang, talk, relate, and connect. Momentum can be mis-leading. The bigger question is, what are we measuring and how.
Hey man,
Your pastor has given me the best teaching on momentum I have ever used and that came from Catalyst a few years back and it was on New, Improve, Improving…some things you need a complete retooling (doesn’t sound likely in your case) other times in order to spark momentum you just need a tweek…maybe change up your band, your look, your set, your preaching style…something to just give it a NEW energy. I dunno just a thought.
Sean
Best thing I never did to build the momentum on a Sunday morning…inflate all the inflatable couches we use every week with helium so they were floating when students were finally let into the room. I know, it’s a programming thing, but still hot. It would’ve provided the “what the crap” response they would’ve remembered and told a friend about, so I could preach to both of them next week.