YOUTH
BE T H E CHURC H WE ARE CURRENTLY LIVING IN UNPRECEDENTED TIMES. Schools, arenas, and even churches are being asked to close in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This creates challenges but also creates opportunity. We get to teach students that Church isn’t something you go to, but something you become. Here are a few ways to BE THE CHURCH and lead students during the challenges of Coronavirus. TIP 1 | TEACH STUDENTS WHAT THE CHURCH REALLY MEANS How many times have we told students: “Church isn’t the building, it’s the people.” Now we actually get to LIVE THAT. Acts 2:46-47 “Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread daily in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all people.” The Church isn’t a monument, it’s a movement. Buildings can’t contain it, a virus won’t stop it. TIP 2 | CREATE ONLINE CONTENT Generation Z is a generation of “Digital Natives” and the most connected generation of all history. MEET THEM WHERE THEY ARE. 1. Youtube 2. Instagram Live + IGTV 3. TikTok Through technology, we have an incredible opportunity to produce content to help teach and disciple our students in the word of God. Get with your media team, and let’s bring the word of God into cellphones, iPads, living rooms and TV’s. TIP 3 | USE TECHNOLOGY TO CREATE COMMUNITY 1. FaceTime 2. Group Chats 3. Zoom Group Calls Find every way possible to STAY CONNECTED. In these times it’s easy to isolate, get bored, and feel alone. Allow students to know that during this time, no one has to be alone. Not only can we go through this together, but we can also actually use this to GROW TOGETHER.
HEATH CORRALES YO UT H M IN IST RIE S H EAT H . C O R R A L E S @ O K AG . O R G @ H EAT H C O RR A L E S
8 | OKLAHOMA OUTLOOK
TIP 4 | TEACH STUDENTS THE INVALUABLE LESSON OF HOW TO NAVIGATE CRISIS This will not be the last crisis these students every experience. If they can learn how to deal with THIS, they can go through anything. “What do you do when things go wrong?” “What do you do when you’re anxious?” Help them answer these questions. During this time teach them to have: caution + confidence in God. Psalms 55:22says “Cast your cares on the Lord, and he will sustain you. He will never let the righteous fall.” TIP 5 | BECOME A PRESENCE OF HOPE The Rabbi Edwin Friedman had this idea of being a “non-anxious presence.” A person or place that gave calm, peace, and hope. A “safe” space. As Pastors, Leaders and followers of Jesus, we get to do that. And we even get to become evangelists to the world through the hope we offer. In your small groups: give hope. On your social media: give hope. In conversations: give hope. Remind people that Jesus is hope. TIP 6 | USE MEMES In our generation, one of our defense mechanisms is that we laugh so we don’t cry… lol. Here’s why you should use memes: 1. They’re funny. 2. They help us calm down. 3. They bring us closer together. 4. Laughing is good for the soul. 5. It reminds students you’re human. TIP 7 | BECAUSE YOUR MINISTRY IS VIRTUAL YOU CAN BECOME MORE EVANGELISTIC Students are afraid to go to a physical Church building or sometimes can’t come for x or y reasons. But Church has NEVER been easier to connect with. 1. Tell students to invite friends to a small group. 2. Tell students to add friends to group chats. 3. Create graphics and give them to students to post. 4. Make yourself available to people who need prayer or advice in your DM’s. 5. Empower students to show the love of Jesus to their friends, neighbors, and co-workers. TIP 8 | USE RESOURCES There are so many amazing resources out there available to Youth Pastors and Leaders. Here’s just a few: 1. The Bible App Create Group Reading Plans Tons of Devotionals 2. The Bible Project On Youtube Tons of Videos About Hundreds of Topics 3. Feed Youth Ministry Amazing Free Small Group Curriculum For YP’s Completely Gen Z Focused 4. Free Church Media Free Sermon Series Packages & Social Media Content
