THE CONTROLLED CHAOS OF JUNIOR HIGH MINISTRY

“Controlled Chaos” is a great way to explain two sides of one coin in junior high ministry.

About 15 or so years ago, Kurt Johnston wrote a book on junior high ministry with the same title – Controlled Chaos – Making Sense of Junior High Ministry.

That book was a life line for me when first starting out in junior high ministry, and although the book is now ancient the principles written in it are still applicable.

I believe the phrase “controlled chaos” sums up the essence of junior high ministry.

It’s two sides of one coin.

On one side of the coin you have chaos.

If you’ve been in junior high ministry for any time, you’ve experienced a bit of this in your group.

Just throw a dodgeball to a group of students and they’ll create some chaos right away.

Or mention the word Ninja fight while holding a swimming noodle and swinging it at a few students! That will do the trick too.

I’ve had my share fare of chaos over the years and I’m sure you have as well.

We adults often struggle with chaos.

Instead, get excited when chaos is all around your junior high ministry. Because students are experiencing so much internal and external changes, chaos is abundant.

If chaos is present, students are engaging, interacting and learning. They’re free to be themselves and feel safe in the environment.

The trick is to control the chaos (or direct it properly).

The other side of the coin is “control”.

Controlling the chaos is an art form.

It actually becomes fun when done properly.

Here’s what I do:

1. Acknowledge chaos will exist, so be proactive. You create the chaos.

Play a crazy game that exhausts students. Then use it an illustration for a teaching point.

That’s just one example.

The idea is to think through your programming and intentionally build chaotic elements into it.

Next step…

2. Use transition elements.

After the chaos is done, it is now time to transition students to the next element of the service.

Think of things to help transition into a teaching moment (or whatever else you have planned).

Some ideas:

• Show a movie clip or setup video related to the topic of the message.
• Play a medium or slow worship song related to the topic
• Tell an interesting/funny story that leads your message
• Have students discuss a question in small group
• The list goes on.

The basic idea is to experiment with different transition elements. Find out what works and mix it up.

3. Know what makes junior highers tick.

Do your research on junior highers.

They’re a unique age group that require a unique approach to ministry.

They’re different from high schoolers, so don’t overlook their specific needs.

Here are some great resources:

(Note: None of these are affiliate links. I financially benefit in no way by recommending them. They’re just awesome resources for yourself and/or volunteers, interns, etc)

Controlling a Room of Middle Schoolers – Youth Ministry Answers Podcast, Episode 6

Developing a Teaching Strategy for Middle School Ministry – Youth Ministry Answers Podcast, Episode 26

Middle School Ministry: A Comprehensive Guide to Working with Early Adolescents by Mark Oestreicher, Scott Rubin

99 Thoughts for Junior Highers by Mark Oestreicher & Brooklyn Lindsey (written for students, but offers great insights into the life of students)

99 Thoughts about Junior High Ministry by Kurt Johnston

Stuff You Can Use Games – Hands down the best collection of free youth group games. All their games will be a hit with junior highers!

Written by Nick Diliberto, the creator of this website. He’s also married to a killer triathlete (Jena), and has three kids: Ethan (15), Joey (13), and Emma (11). Nick has 18 years of experience in church leadership and currently oversees the youth group at the Northshore Vineyard Church, just outside of New Orleans, LA.