Looking Ahead to a Healthier Junior High Ministry

Written by Mike Sheley

We’re nearly two months into 2016.

However, as a fellow youth worker, we are actually at the halfway point in this school year. I

It’s actually a good thing that this time of the calendar year so many people are talking about looking ahead at what lies in the future.

And just like I said in my post about reflecting at this point in the year,  it may seem strange to be looking ahead when the school year is only halfway through.

However, just like reflecting on the past can bring wisdom, there’s also wisdom in looking ahead to the next school year during the current one.

I typically have a “penciled in” calendar that is always looking 18 months out.

But you don’t have to be a dreamer/planner like me to benefit from this or even work this system.

Let me suggest you look ahead in the following areas to help build personal wisdom and ministry health.

Think of it like tips for a good driver, but you are the one driving the junior high ministry instead of the church van (even though you probably do both)!

Look Near (Look in front of you)

Look at what events, programs and services you have coming up over the next four months or so as you finish up the school calendar year.

• Is there someone you need to contact?

• Is there an action step you need to take?

• Is there a meeting you need to plan?

• Do you need to recruit more leaders for the next school year?

Chances are, there are plenty of things you need to do now that can help your ministry be healthier and more effective if you just take some time now to plan out the next five months.

Look Next (Look down the road)

Look at what you have planned – or should have planned – over the summer.

• Is there a camp, conference or mission trip?

• Are you ready for promotion time, when you get a new batch of students?

• Do you need to have some parent meetings to help them prepare for the events above?

• Do you need to recruit a team of leader just to help for the summer?

• Are there any college students who will be back this summer who are potential volunteers that you need to contact?

• What action steps do you need to take this semester so that the summer goes well?

Even though it doesn’t seem like summer is very close, parents are already planning family vacations and that means you need to make sure your ministry events are on their calendars and priority lists.

You don’t have to have every detail of camp planned out now.

However, getting the basics in place now will make this summer be more enjoyable for everyone!

Look Far (Look at the horizon)

This is where you would look at the next academic year and maybe even the next two to three years.

• What are some personal or family plans that you want to make? (These almost always mean a little extra work on the front end to cover ministry responsibilities while you are away.)

• What are some big plans and goals you have for your ministry?

• What are some things yo need to lift up to God in prayer because they will only be possible if He is involved?

• How can you begin recruiting, training and equipping volunteers now to have a team you want a year from now?

• What book or books do you need to purchase and start reading to be able to apply what you learn in the next season of ministry? (I highly recommend four books: Sustainable Youth Ministry, Jesus-Centered Youth Ministry,  Middle School Ministry and Building Your Volunteer Team.)

Just like you, I have urgent needs that are screaming for my attention this week.

And that makes it hard to work on my ministry and think a year or more out.

However, it’s the work we do on the big picture and long term that will make the greater difference in our day-to-day ministry.

But just like working with junior highers, it’s a process of planting seeds now so we can see growth in the future.

Enjoy your drive down life’s highway this year in your ministry with junior highers wherever you are.

And just like it is important to look back in the rear view mirror and evaluate how things have gone, it’s just as important to be looking ahead through the windshield to the future.

Liked this blog post? You’ll also enjoy this one…

A Look in the Rear View Mirror