Monthly column for youth leaders: the times they aren't a-changing

A pub near to where I live has a sign outside it bearing the legend 'Win big in 98'. At some point last year someone has obviously tried to rub out the 8 and alter the sign to 99, but gave up. The sign is now a staggering two years out of date (or an even more staggering millennium out of date, unless you're one of those pedants who won't celebrate until 2001. By that logic I guess you have to tell your kids that their life didn't properly start until their first birthday.)

In spite of this no attempt has been made to take it down and replace it with something accurate and up to date.

Same old formula

How many of us are running groups that operate on the same basis as that pub sign? How many of our groups are doing what we've always done, long after it ceased to be relevant, helpful or fruitful? If you were to take a good long look at what you do with your group, how much could be described as seeming like a good idea once upon a time, but doesn't really work anymore? Maybe as people and situations have changed, the original reason for doing something no longer applies. But still you go on with the same old patterns as before.

It's understandable, we all find it easier to keep going with what we know. But the gospel hasn't got a lot to do with sticking to the safe and the familiar. Jesus seemed more interested in challenging people to step outside of their comfort zones (although I'm sure Jesus would never have used a phrase as hackneyed as 'comfort zones') and to trust him with the results. Maybe what you are doing is still hitting the spot, but because you do it all the time, you are getting into a rut. Break out, do something different from time to time. Don't get predictable.

Starting from scratch

As an exercise with your team of leaders, try taking a blank piece of paper and working out what your group would be like if you were starting it from scratch. Focus on what you are actually aiming to achieve with the group, what you want to happen as a result of your work, and then dream up what kind of programme, what kind of group, will help you to achieve that.

It may be that what you come up with is very similar to what you are doing now. If this is the case, then either you don't have a lot of imagination or you are still on the right lines. Even if the latter is the case, there are still things you can do to freshen things up. Think about how your meeting room is set up-is it the same every week? Do your members always sit in the same places? Why not set the room up in a radically different way-face a different direction, get rid of all the chairs, make it look really posh, put posters up on the walls (or take them down, or put up new ones), anything to challenge people's expectations and get them so that they don't assume they know what is coming next.

Managing change

If you do decide that major changes are needed, you will probably want to talk them through with the church leadership before going through with them. The minister might not be too happy with replacing the Bible study evenings and all going clubbing instead. There is a school of thought in youth work that says it's easier to ask forgiveness after the event than to ask for permission. Frankly, that's just making an excuse to be irresponsible and to model an appalling example of how to relate to being under someone's authority. What kind of church members will our young people grow into if you show them that authority is to be treated with that kind of contempt?

Explain to your minister what you want to do and why you are thinking the way you are. He might be aware of the problem already and happy to see a creative solution. On the other hand, he might be no more comfortable with change than the rest of us, in which case you will need to convince him of your case. Sometimes we have to be bold if we want to see real growth, both in terms of our thinking and what we do to make it happen. Think your proposal through, anticipate objections and be ready to argue your case. But be humble as well. If you don't get the backing for your plan, it may be because there was something that you hadn't taken into account. Don't be afraid to come back with plan B, or C or even Z.

Changing rooms

Change for change's sake is sometimes a good thing. Whether small changes or sweeping ones, sometimes groups need to be changed or they will stagnate. Don't be afraid to kill off a work which has been successful, but is no longer meeting the needs it was set up for. We are not at liberty to change the gospel or the Bible, but the way we seek to communicate them is entirely up for grabs. Dream impossible dreams for your group, and then make them happen.

Monthly column for youth leaders: the times they aren't a-changing

Would some changes in your youth group be refreshing?

Same old formula

Starting from scratch

Managing change

Changing rooms

Steve Couch

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