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Here we go again, preaching about the importance of uplifting our “Gen Next”. But have you ever noticed how our students seem to get stuck with the short end of the stick? Relegated to forgotten corners of the church. Squeezed into spare rooms nobody knew what to do with. Handed yard sale leftovers that are somehow meant to pass for entertainment.
Don’t our future leaders deserve better than a dusty foosball table and a hand-me-down sound system? It’s time they feel as valued as the speeches we give.
Good news is, some churches are started to get with the program, as two key environmental strategies are gaining momentum. Many churches are developing dedicated student ministry environments that function as a second venue for the church while serving the needs of a growing student ministry.
Others are taking the church plant approach and handing over the main auditorium to the students on Wednesday nights. After all, the main auditorium will always have the best AVL rig on the property, and with just a little creativity and a few church planting hacks, you can flip your space for students in no time.
Whatever your approach, we’ve discovered six key reasons why your students hate their space.
Student Ministry Space at North Central Church | Spring, TX
Your student ministry pre-function environment ought to be a circus of sorts, brimming with enthusiasm, interactivity, and contagious energy. If it’s not, maybe it’s time to transform it into an area that’s lively and full of pizazz. Here’s a tip: connect your pre-function space to an intentionally designed outdoor zone. From playing gaga ball, nine square under the open sky, to cozy fire pit circles adorned with string lights and commercial-grade outdoor furniture – you’ll be making an engaging pre-function space while signaling to the world that your youth matter!
Plus, no pre-function area is complete without an avalanche of sugar and energy boosters. So, make sure there is a café that resembles a professional barista’s corner, pulsating with rhythmic tunes to keep spirits soaring and younglings hydrated. A café done right is a perfect focal point for pre-gatherings, an oasis for our youth.
All right, folks, we all know there’s nothing more depressing than an empty wall, but when that wall is in a high school ministry? Oi Vey! It’s like a forgotten birthday party. Here’s a mind-blowing thought: branded environmental graphics! They transform your wall from screaming “Whoops!” to bellowing “Welcome!”
A couple of tastefully executed graphics on those key walls can jazz up the joint faster than a teenager changes their mind. Not only can they showcase the mission statement of your student ministry, but they also reinforce the soulful vibe of the space.
Let’s be realistic here: Ikea furniture will not cut it for a student ministry environment, period. You need furniture that can come out unscathed under conditions that would have even Cell Block C furniture crying out for mercy. You’re dealing with students whose brains haven’t entirely caught up with their extra-large bodies, and their propensity to be rough on the furniture will have you making monthly trip for replacements. Commercial-grade furniture is where you want to put your money.
While we’re at it, don’t even think about accepting that hand-me-down couch that couldn’t find a new home at the last garage sale. Sure, it’s okay if it breaks, but it looks like it was just plucked from a crime scene. Don’t go there.
Today’s students have the attention spans of a gnat, thanks to social media and TikTok. In fact, students can quickly become bored with an environment and want to move to the next thing. I know it’s tough not to stand against this culture and to yearn for more focused attention from them. But the truth is, students thrive in a quickly changing and high-octane space. So, it’s time to spice up your environment and add a dash of unpredictability. Making your environment more dynamic than static will keep things fresh.
You might want to consider orchestrating a few strategic shake-ups about two to three times a year. A dose of fresh artwork, a new layout of furniture, or some exciting pre-function activities could keep the environment lively, and your students hooked.
Quality breakout space is often the biggest bottleneck for most student ministries. And extra square footage is nearly impossible to find when your students meet during peak service times. That’s why many growing student ministries are leveraging the entire campus when nobody else is around.
Even though breakout space is a challenge, think long and hard before you begin building extra square feet to accommodate student breakouts that meet for 45 minutes once a week. Often, these rooms sit empty the rest of the week.
If any space needs a little help in the scent department, it’s your student ministry environment. Imagine a dozen teenage boys pouring in from a late football practice and flopping onto your lobby sofas. The smell just never leaves. And let’s be honest, a couple of sprays of Febreze and a Glade plug-in simply won’t cut it. Scenting systems are the new trend. You can now acquire a unit that, when linked to your HVAC, will convert your student ministry lobby’s funk to an aroma fit for the Ritz Carlton, even in the presence of those middle school boys.
Well, there you have it, folks! Turning your student ministry space from a sad, old-sock-smelling, Ikea-furnished room into a vibrant, soulful hub is as simple as pie. The bottom line? The next generation deserves the best, and with a little creativity, you can give it to them.
