Okay, so it’s an hour before the youth meeting is supposed to start, and you’re wondering why you should go. You don’t have any responsibilities for the program, and this has been a tough few days. You could use the time off. After all, they don’t need you there, right?

Wrong!

Here are nine essential tasks that MUST be accomplished BY YOU if this youth meeting is going to be effective ministry. So, get off the couch, start thinking of all the great kids you’re about to interact with, and go for it!

1. Be in Prayer: Before you even come, pray about the meeting. Pray for the person who will be teaching, and pray that God will use you to minister to students.
2. Be Early: The times before and after the meeting are your prime ministry opportunities. Please be at least fifteen minutes early for the meeting.
3. Be Positive: Portray a positive and enthusiastic outlook to those who come. Your attitude can set the tone for the meeting. If we’re playing a crazy game, relax and have a good time. If we’re singing, sing out. If we’re in the study time, have your Bible open and pencil ready.
4. Be Alert: Look for those who are hurting, and try to minister to them or point them out to a leader of the same sex. Don’t just be with the same students you always spend time with and are comfortable around.
5. Be Alert, the Sequel: During the meeting, look for potential discipline problems.
6. Be a Mingler: Our goal is to have every student talked with by a leader at every meeting. Make sure you contact each of “your” kids and see who is not there so you can make a follow‑up call during the week.
7. Be a Mingler II: Three types of students must be talked with each week: the hurting, the loner, and the visitor. If these kids are going to be reached, you are the one who has to do it!
8. Plan a Contact: Be open to spending time with students outside of church activities. Try to plan a contact with at least one kid in the coming week. This could be a school event, dinner, sodas, a movie, shopping, “double‑time” or whatever. Open your home and life to students. These times can be your most productive chances for ministry. (Of course, guy leaders contact guys and women leaders contact gals.)
9. Plan to Stick Around: Don’t run out the door as soon as the meeting is over. Be available for the kids. Talk with them, play with them, pray with them, give them rides home.