Give Them the Keys: Making a Youth Ministry a Youth's Ministry

Have you ever noticed the mindset that takes over when you have the ownership of something valuable entrusted to you? It totally changes your perspective. You want it to be taken care of. You want to show it to your friends. You're willing to work hard because you feel responsible for it.

Entrusting ministry opportunities to our students has the same effect. We have heard, from many different sources, that approximately 75% of graduates are leaving the church after high school graduation. To those who on the front lines of student ministry, this trend can be depressing, frustrating, and even defeating. Is there a way to change this? Yes, and it starts with giving them the keys!