Evangelicals Now
<< December 2006 >>

Monthly youth leaders column

Festivals need celebrating

And not just festivals — your work needs celebrating. Some of the churches I have visited seem a bit low on celebrations.

Everything’s a bit quiet and restrained. Apart from the biblical example to celebrate at significant moments in the life of God’s people, there is the sheer common sense that when a team has been working for a bit, to break off, say thank you and rejoice together at what God has done in your group is a good thing to do.

Perhaps you could take the drastic step of getting the church to stump up the cash to take the youth leaders (and their spouses who have sacrificed many evenings) out for a meal.

Christmas creeping

But what about festivals? By the time you read this Christmas will be creeping upon us. There has been a Christmas window at Selfridges since August and, if the shops didn’t have Christmas, they would mostly go out of business. I’m sure we’ll have a carol service somewhere in the mix again but what do we do with the youth group? Some young people are incredibly traditional so why not give them their first turkey lunch on Advent Sunday to start a project which will minister to the needy? Shoe Box appeals have been run by children and young people and can be a great focus for the month of December alongside a teaching session which builds up the Old Testament overview so that they really know why Christmas was the only way God could sort out people like us.

‘Dos and don’ts’

Parties abound at Christmas so make sure they get a mention in your programme (may be good in discipleship groups). Without sounding like a miserable killjoy with a list of 20 Christmas don’ts, suggest some positive ways to celebrate without the need to over indulge. It may need you to ‘create’ a party somewhat similar to the light parties some do at Halloween. If you have Christmas Eve communion, put something on before that so the youth group comes to church together. There will be many counter attractions on Christmas Eve and some think young people can hold their ground in a secular party without compromising themselves. Some can, but many others end up doing something they regret.

After the turkey

If you can staff it, post-Christmas is often a time when young people need something to do. We should encourage them to be with their families for the holiday season but an occasional activity is OK. Sport can be helpful for some or just an open house for some nibbles on or about the 29th can help you keep in touch. If there are points of contact through this time, some young people may be less likely to wander into bad choices. We cannot protect them from everything but if there are some things for them to do as a group, it may help them.

Young people exist

Make sure your minister/vicar is aware that young people exist at Christmas. They should be part of carol services, etc. Some churches encourage the myth that we Christians are unable to celebrate. Let’s try to model celebrations which keep the Saviour’s birth as the focus.

Dave Fenton