We're all about small groups.
At ProjectYM, we're going all in on small groups because traditional "large group" youth ministry models just aren't working anymore.
This generation of young people isn't looking for flashy programs, elaborate events, or big crowds...
64% of Gen Z say they're more comfortable discussing faith in small, trusted groups rather than large, impersonal settings. (Barna)
46% of Gen Z say they feel uncertain about their future and crave mentors who can guide them. (Springtide Research Institute)
71% of Gen Z responds positively to peer influence and say they feel most comfortable sharing in settings with their friends or peers. Small groups encourage peer-to-peer dialogue, where students can openly share their perspectives and learn from one another, creating a collaborative learning environment. (Lifeway Research)
Gen Z students prefer interactive, participatory experiences over passive content consumption. Small groups provide opportunities for conversation, questions, and engagement, which cater to this preference for active involvement. Large group models, where students sit and listen to speakers, may struggle to maintain attention and engagement over time. (McCrindle)
Studies on Gen Z’s sense of community show that they crave close-knit, supportive communities. Small groups are ideal for fostering a sense of belonging, as students can form deeper bonds with peers and leaders. Large group settings may offer a sense of crowd excitement, but they often lack the intimacy needed to form real community. (Pew)
With all of that data reinforcing what our anecdotal experiences show us about the effectiveness of small groups – all new resources from ProjectYM are centered around small groups as the primary youth ministry model.
small groups are all about teenagers.
Our team was at an event recently with thousands of college students, and we started asking them to write anonymous thank you notes to the youth ministry leaders at their home parishes. We got tons of great responses, but the one that really caught our attention was Emma's.
After we explained the assignment to Emma, she stood there for a minute – marker in hand – and thought about it. Tears began to form in her eyes. The more she reflected back on the adult leaders back at her parish, the more tears started to stream down her cheeks. When she slid her thank you note back to us, you could tell how heartfelt her words were.
She had written five simple words on the card:
Young people are desperately craving to be seen, known, and loved. There is no better model for ensuring that happens than small groups.
Small groups done right aren't about a program or a curriculum, they're about community. Even more than that, they're about the teenagers you serve.
