Brian at Rethinking Youth Ministry recently commented about a survey that he received that asked this question: Imagine that you were tasked with ruining (yes, ruining) a vibrant youth ministry within 12 months, all while appearing to be trying to keep it afloat. How do you tactically dismantle it? (Tricky one. Think backwards.)
His response: “I would focus most of our efforts on offering high energy, technology centered, entertainment-fueled programs that attracted lots of teens, but give only passing nods to things like Bible study, issues related to justice, or talk of servanthood. I’d make a point of always talking up the number of teens we had at our gatherings without ever talking about the substance of our programs (because there wouldn’t be any). Then, when I had the program built up with big attendance numbers,
in the 12th month I’d suddenly drop all the fun programming and move instead to hardcore Bible study and sermons, telling the youth what they should believe and what will happen if they don’t. That should do the trick.”
For me, I would slowly make it all about my own special relationship with young people, to the detriment of relationships between the kids and God or the kids and the Church (other adults), Soon, a “in” group of kids would be developed as I just can’t reach them all by my lonesome. After that, you pick:
1) leave the position for a better opportunity;
2) take a solid two month leave; or
3) watch ‘em graduate
What about you? How would you go about ruining a vibrant youth ministry in just a year’s time? <image source>
Great article. Here are my thoughts on wrecking a project…
-Communicate badly: Don’t let people know when it’s happening and where. Don’t do anything to generate a buzz. Just assume that once you have a few teens, they will bring their friends along.
-Be a one man show: run it all by yourself. Turn down offers of help and don’t liaise with the rest of the parish.
-Insist on rigid conformity to your own spirituality. If 30 minutes of Adoration doesn’t gran them, then clearly it’s just about the time – what they need is 30 minutes more. Prayer is about quantity, not quality!
-Only engage with young people during sessions and talks. During breaks ignore them completely. They don’t need supervision, and they certainly don’t want you to show an interest in them other than when you really really have to!
-Lots of talking, little interaction and discussion.
-Tell them what they MUST believe. Don’t let them reflect or encounter. What’s to think about? You’ve told them what’s true. Job done!
-Don’t innovate. The same material you have been using for years will work just fine for yet another year!!
-Keep it superficial. Only mention faith/ God in passing. Don’t let it actually sink in or seem relevant to their lives or anything like that.
-Remember – youth ministry is all about your ego. You are them man!!
-If any other volunteers work alongside you, treat them badly. Enforce your own agenda, don’t discuss anything and don’t thank them for your work.
..I can probably think of loads more, but that’ll do for now 🙂