Retaining Students (Beyond Student Ministry)
The key to keeping young adults in church after high school is NOT providing a terrific youth group. Don’t misunderstand me, terrific youth groups are…terrific but many great youth groups simply don’t turn teens into active young adults.
The key is to get students engaged in the “adult” church while they are still students! Today in early church, I spotted high school and Jr. High students on the praise team, on the tech team, serving as greeters, ushers, volunteering in Creation Corner and working in the coffee cafe. It was awesome!
These young people are not just the recipients of a sub-culture (student ministries) but they are finding meaningful ministries in the larger church! Want to retain your students later? Involve them NOW!
-Rev. Shane L. Bishop is the Sr. Pastor of Christ Church in Fairview Heights, Illinois
Shane L. Bishop 