Daniel Ausbun
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5 Secrets to a Successful Preteen Ministry

11/28/2012

4 Comments

 
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Does your church have a Preteen Ministry? Preteens are 11 and 12 year olds - 5th & 6th graders. Some people call them Tweens - too old for elementary ministry, but a little young for the youth group. This is one of the most important ages in a child's spiritual growth - a church can't clump them with younger children or teenagers.

Here are 5 Secrets to a Successful Preteen Ministry:

1.) You must involve their parents. A 12 year old will want you to believe they're in high school - but they're in 6th grade. A teacher/minister must communicate with mom & dad what's going on. For example, a monthly newsletter, Facebook group for preteen parents, a Googlegroup for preteen parents, or a bulk text message lets mom and dad know what's going on, how they can be involved and events coming up for their child to attend. You cannot rely on the preteens to tell their parents what's happening.

2.) Allow preteens the opportunity to lead. Let them own the ministry - create a cool name (Infusion, Switch, Becoming), they should say the prayers, decorate the room, read the Scripture, give a testimony, lead worship, start the video, plan mission projects, set-up and take-down, clean-up).

3.) Programming should be cutting edge. Every 6th grader I know is on Facebook, Twitter, and carries an iPhone. They don't want to be read a children's picture Bible. Make sure the curriculum/lesson is geared towards 11 & 12 year olds and is up-to-date.

4.) Preteen ministry must be active, fast-paced. If you have 1 hour on Wednesday nights to plan for Preteens, here's a good schedule: Welcome/Hang-out (5 minutes), Game (10 minutes), Testimony/Ministry opportunity at school (5 minutes), Video clip about the lesson (5 minutes), Lesson (25 minutes), Prayer requests (5 minutes), Junk food (5 minutes). You need to come to class over-prepared with multiple changes throughout the hour.

5.) Plan outings and mission projects exclusively for preteens. Do not allow other ages to attend, especially younger children. For example, preteens can have a separate VBS class, drama team, mission projects, Preteen Sunday (a special Sunday when the entire service is devoted to them), Preteen Conference, and the Annual Preteen Kickball Tournament (the most favorite game of all 5th & 6th graders).

Preteen Resources:

LifeWay Preteens
PreteenMinistry.net
Preteen Lauchables
Which Bible Should You Buy your Preteen or Teenager?
4 Comments
Vicki Gann link
11/28/2012 06:46:07 am

Daniel my dear Pastor and brother in Christ.
All we need is one secret and that is Christ and for those that He is dwelling in through the Holy Spirit He is not a secret. Are you making it more complicated then it has to be? You preach Christ and His relationship do you really believe it?1) If you are led by the Holy Spirit you will know to involve their parents 2) If you are guided by the Holy Spirit you will know to give them an opportunity to lead because we already know this because we give everyone an opportunity to lead because we are His servants representing Him. 3) If you are led by the Holy Spirit the programming will be too, are we giving them what they want or what they need?
4) Again let the Holy Spirit guide you they will automatically be drawn to you by the Holy Spirit, again what they want or what they need?
5) Again, do we give them what they want, do we want them to be entertained or changed? Love through Christ speaks volumes with any age!! Let them know you love them, let Christ do the work, they will come and they will listen. Christ never had to entertain children, they just knew how much He loved them! Are we going ahead of God and making it more complicated by trying to do everything ourselves? Love you and many prayers, Vicki Gann

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Daniel Ausbun link
11/28/2012 07:58:08 am

Hey Vicki, congratulations! You're the first person to make a comment - it took 1 week! I appreciate your thoughtful comments, I was making the assumption that a Preteen Teacher/Minister is already studying God's Word, praying for their class and seeking the Holy Spirit in their personal relationship with God - this article is to help grow or provide ideas to take a preteen class to the next level. I hope this helps - see you tonight!

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Dewayne Barbee link
5/16/2018 05:41:07 pm

Good Afternoon

My name is Dewayne Barbee. I serve at One Community Church in Plano TX. We have decided to launch a Preteen Ministry this fall when school opens. Your site has provided valuable information and I love what i see regarding topics and curriculum. I will present to some students and parents at the end of the week. Do you have any videos or PowerPoint videos that we could use to generate excitement around the new ministry.

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Daniel Ausbun link
6/4/2018 01:35:15 pm

Hey Dewayne, 5th and 6th grade preteen ministry is such a blessing. The best videos for parents are one's of their children. I would use your iPhone and shoot videos of each child (or groups) either saying something funny or participating in an activity. You can combine the videos using iMovie. Put the videos on social media - create excitement and shareables for the preteens and their parents.

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