Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - Nov/76

Contributor - A. Zeilstra

Title - So You Are Planning A Youth Service

Topic - Youth

January 30, 1977 is RCA Youth Week and in the majority of the Canadian Churches, a youth service will be held. If you haven't begun to think what you are going to do, this article may help.

Forming A Committee:

In most Young Peoples' Groups, appointing a committee to put the service together is getting your planning on the right track. This committee should be small, three or four youths plus adult sponsor(s). The youth elder, or pastor should initially receive some idea as to the theme and the objective of the Youth Service. No matter how traditional the Youth Service is that you are planning, always receive final approval from the consistory or the Worship Committee to avoid any difficulties. In many congregations the reason for avoiding Youth Services is because in the past there was a service that offended a number of people. Remember - always get approval! To get approval involves having the service completely planned at least two weeks before hand.

Theme:

"What is the purpose of the service?" What is the central idea? What impressions are we trying to create during the service? As the service concludes, how do we desire for "individuals" to respond? In what way? As the service is being planned, these and other questions need to be asked. If you ask these kind of questions, you may not always be too popular with fellow committee people. Often times "letting the Lord lead" is an excuse for lack of substantial planning.

What are some subjects to be considered? Fear, loneliness, becoming a Christian, dating, revenge, pressure, family, death, marriage, worry, Christian growth, world missions, convictions, fellowship, witnessing, suffering, Satan, service, trust, discipleship, prayer, guilt/forgiveness, personal future, belief, temptation and numerous others.

Musical groups are very important to a youth service, however, many times the group is not included into the overall theme and objective of the service. They should be notified in advance.

Method:

Developing a theme may be done in a variety of ways. The service may have a sermon and/or

small group discussion to make it practical. Group leaders need to be prepared with content of message beforehand.

The message may be done in the first person. This may be, preferably, a biblical character who is acted out.

The parables of the New Testament are a good source to develop a theme and lead to practical application which may lead to a personal or youth project.

Banners, collages, or posters based on a text prepared beforehand (or even during the service) may lead each small group to give meditations.

There are a number of films today that would lead into excellent group discussions afterwards.

Another method would be to select a topic and have a panel discussion. This panel could be youth or / adults -depending upon the topic. Opportunities for the congregation to ask questions would add to the service.

How About These Ideas?

Christian Marriage is of continued interest to all young people. A panel of married couples who have been married a variety of years may be interviewed by young people. The panel discussion could be followed with a message of "How To Have A Successful Marriage". This may be followed with group discussion of adults and youth in each group.

Prayer is a topic that is very important to a growing Christian. The service may be divided into four parts: Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving and Supplication. After each area is defined, time may be given for corporate or personal prayer.

Christian Career opportunities are becoming more and more divergent for both men and women. In the service a number of people involved in a variety of Christian Careers may testify how the Lord has lead them, their training, and their responsibilities. The service may be followed with display booths for further information.

After the Service

Young people like to spend time together where they feel comfortable. Following your youth service, you should plan to have a meaningful time of fellowship. If other youth groups have been invited be sure that these groups are recognized as well as integrating them through an activity in your time of fellowship. Usually there are too many "wall flowers" or "cliques" that do not make for an enjoyable time and much of the emphasis is lost.

What should we do? It depends what happened in the service. Do you want to make the fellowship time an extension of the service through small group discussions? Also, if there was a singing group in the service, they may informally lead some additional singing. Or, you may wish to do something different from the service by having action games.

The refreshments should be prepared beforehand so that very few remain in the kitchen.

Youth Services in your church should be something that both the Young People and the adults look forward to. In this article I have introduced you to but a few ideas. There are numerous other possibilities. Let us know, what you have tried and found successful.

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