Developing an Urban Youth Ministry
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Balancing Fun and Relationships
I wish I could truly say (in my best King James voice), "Young people cometh to my Bible studies because they wanteth to heareth the word of God." Or I wish I could say that kids come to hear the eloquent messages I stayed up all night to put together. I wish I could even say that they come because of their love for God and their deep commitment to Christ. Some do, but the vast majority of the unchurched, urban kids I've worked with initially came to youth group for two reasons: fun and relationships. In all honesty, that's why I began to attend youth group as a kid. Growing up in Jamaica there wasn't a lot to do. So I attended the local youth group for those two reasons.

Fun—the youth leaders at the church I grew up in dared allow us to have fun. We played games, went on trips, camps, and all-nighters, and did many other activities. This might not be a revolutionary principle for you, but many churches are reluctant to incorporate fun into their youth services. I've heard it said: "You're just entertaining those kids." Key word: just. If all you're doing is having fun and playing games with kids, then you're missing it. If, however, you're incorporating fun as an integral part of what you do in youth ministry, mixed in with solid biblical teaching, I see that as a healthy and balanced approach to youth ministry.

Relationships—I developed close friendships with the other kids who were there. During that process, I also developed relationships with caring adults who didn't just see me as a name on a roster, but who took the time to ask me how I was doing in school, and who talked to me openly and honestly about issues I really cared about. Eventually, as I built these relationships, I was ultimately led into a closer relationship with God.

Paul told the church in Thessalonica, "We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well…" (1 Thess. 2:8). Dr. Howard Hendricks reminds us that "you can impress people from a distance…you can only impact them up close."

Getting Kids Involved
According to Dr. Robert Laurent, the number one reason why kids leave the church is "lack of opportunity for church involvement." Kids need to feel that they're significant and valuable. If they don't feel that from the church, they'll go somewhere else where they can feel a sense of belonging. One of the most significant lures of cults and gangs is that they immediately give young people responsibilities and opportunities for involvement.

Dr. Jawanza Kunjufu quotes a notorious gang leader who said, "We will always get the youth because we know how to make them feel important." Sometimes we make young people feel like they're not important or don't have anything to offer the church. We push them aside; tell them to be quiet; get off the platform; don't play with the microphone. Then when they're older, we wonder where our young leaders are. We must make our kids feel important very early on.

A children's pastor colleague of mine involves the children in his group in the actual production of children's church. He tells the story of a 10-year-old whose mother told him he wouldn't be able to go to their church that day because they were visiting somewhere else. The very adamant child looked at his mom and said, "But Mom, you don't understand. We have to go to our church—Pastor Dan needs me!"

Give the kids real responsibilities. Let them know you believe in them and that they're valuable to you and to the growth and development of the group

Programming Events
As you put the program in place and meet for a few weeks with your core group, the momentum will build, and the kids will catch the vision. Then plan some form of a kick-off event that'll inspire the kids to go out and invite their friends. The kids could pass out flyers asking their friends to attend this special event, which could be a pizza party, athletic tournament, game night, or other high energy and exciting activity. Make sure it includes an evangelistic presentation and an opportunity to follow-up with new kids. I usually do two kick-off events each year.

Being Committed
Almost nothing is stable in a young person's life in the inner city. Dr. John Perkins points out that 70 percent of inner-city children are growing up without a father. In order to make ends meet, their single mothers might have to move frequently, changing neighborhoods, friends, and schools. If there's one thing that should remain consistent, it should be their youth worker, who's very often the only positive, adult, role model (especially if you're male) a child may have. Youth ministry in the urban setting is just one of those fields that you cannot do for a short period of time and expect significant results. You must have a long-term commitment to the kids, their families, and their neighborhoods.

It's now been 17 wonderful years since I first got my feet wet in urban ministry in Miami. Sure, I've had my share of disappointments, failures, and frustrations, but it's been the joy of my life to know kids who've grown up in the 'hood, had started down the path to gangs, drugs, and prison, but who've now become positive members of society—some of whom have even entered the ministry. It's made all those sleepless nights and hair loss worth it.