The Youth Ministry Is Fine, So Why Would I Need to Assess It?

My mom came over this morning so we could catch up before I left town again tomorrow. As we sat drinking coffee at the kitchen table, she told me about my first visit to the pediatrician. “I ironed everything you wore, even your diaper. I wanted everything for you to be perfect.” I hadn’t heard this detail before of the early Stephanie Caro years, but knowing my mom, I’m not surprised. Mom was always very faithful about our shots, checkups, haircuts, dental appointments, etc. She takes care of things long before they’re due or break. We even settled today on our Christmas presents for the entire family. She plans ahead…which is why things usually go so smoothly for her.

I’ll reel this family ramble in to make my youth ministry point: A good, no—GREAT children’s worker is like my mom. Things that are healthy don’t always stay that way. We need to do all we can to keep things optimal and sustainable. Its why we take our kids for yearly checkups or have that mammogram done; we want those we love to stay as healthy as possible. Catching problems early keeps things from growing out of proportion.

The same goes with your youth ministry. Do a yearly check up—survey your parents to hear what’s on their minds. Let your teachers evaluate the programming and curriculum. Make sure that you are receiving the necessary evaluations from your leadership at the church.

And, of course, it goes without saying that Youth Ministry Architects is here to partner along with you if you need a little help.

Stephanie Caro  is a lead consultant for Youth Ministry Architects, www.ymarchitects.com. Stephanie has written several books, including Thriving Youth Ministry in Smaller Churches and 99 Thoughts for the Smaller Church Youth Worker.  Check out her blogs for Simply Youth Ministry Network & Group Publishing: http://smallchurchyouthministry.com/ & http://smallgroupsministry.com

stephanie.caro@ymarchitects.com
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