Transitioning off of Level One and Level Two, we come to a level in youth ministry called, “Community”.

If you have seen The Lord of The Rings movie series this what we call “The Shire” effect. The Shire effect? Yeah, in a perfect youth ministry fantasy world, this would be where every student’s spiritual needs are being met, you see the sincere smiling faces of students that really love each other and their leaders. All students (even the Jr. High) obey the rules of each game. You only have to share the instructions once. When you speak, everyone is intensely listening so you never have to ask them to be quiet or get their attention. Parents share nothing but praise. Your in Kahootz with your volunteer staff.

You may be asking, “What does this look like in the real youth ministry world?”

Coming back to reality what I see taking place on a level three youth ministry that I have called Community is:

• Students believe that actively participating in the youth ministry meets their spiritual needs – There becomes this sense and excitement that when students are in the youth ministry, spiritual life changing things are going to happen and they do happen. There is a breaking of the ritual youth ministry meeting. Students are wanting to bring others so that they can either hear the gospel or grow in their faith if they were already led to the gospel.
• Adults are effectively ministering to students based on what they need-There is a sacrifice of time and an importance on listening to the students that your adult leaders oversee. Adults are listening to the students to best know how to make spiritual suggestions for them. They are following up with those prayer requests. The students can see that they really do care about them.
• Wounded healers are empowered to minister to others-Adults that have healed from a past wound can now be an effective minister to the youth that may struggle with similar issues. This can have a tremendous effect as a student knows that this adult leader does really know what it was like to….. What joy and rest can come out as that student realizes that someone else has already gone through those similar issues before them. They can see that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
• Students begin to care about everyone and not just their circle – When selfishness is replaced with the grace and mercy of Christ, we can actually see students go out of their way, out of the friends that they love, to reach across the youth room to the new kid. We see students caring for these new students and making sure that they feel connected.

In short, community is a piece of youth ministry heaven on earth. You can see change, you can feel Christ’s love within the group of leaders and students, and God is glorified.

Can you add more to the “SHIRE” experience?

 (click the smilee to see why it’s there)

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