Teen helpers aren’t always…well…helpful. Read on to learn practical strategies for managing teenage volunteers—from children’s ministry pros.

Eager-looking teenagers from your church’s youth ministry approach you. One says she’s always wanted to serve at VBS. Another says he can’t wait to get started on Sunday.

You’re thrilled, of course. Children’s ministry always needs more volunteers.

On your new recruits’ first day, you swing by their stations…and what you see makes your shoulders slump: Mr. Can’t Wait to Get Started on Sunday is chatting with another volunteer buddy—both ignoring the kids. And Ms. Always Wanted to Serve at VBS forgot to show up. So as you brace yourself to deal with these young “helpers,” you feel disappointed, anxious, and maybe even a little angry.

We’ve all been there. Even ministry veterans.

Meet Dr. Virginia Brennan and Dr. Valerie Davidson! These seasoned leaders became friends through a doctorate program. Now, they cohost the KidMin with Dr. Val & Dr. Virginia podcast, are the brains behind kidmindoctor.com, and regularly speak at ministry conferences and events. Here on childrensministry.com, they’ve shared great insights about classroom management in articles like “Help! The Kids Just Said a Bad Word.”

In this article, Dr. Val and Dr. Virginia share guidance for equipping and empowering teen helpers to serve in children’s ministry effectively.

The Doctors Are In!

Here’s today’s question:

Dear Dr. Val and Dr. Virginia,

My teenage “helpers” aren’t being very helpful. Some of them seem completely uninterested in participating with kids—they’re on their phone or chatting with volunteer friends. And some don’t even show up. How can I manage these teenage volunteers?

#1. Clarify your expectations…

…in writing

Teen volunteers who are excited to serve aren’t necessarily equipped to serve. Even the most eager teenager might show up late or spend a little too much time on her phone if she isn’t aware of your expectations for serving in children’s ministry.

That’s why it’s important to state your expectations clearly—before teen volunteers begin serving.

Dr. Val and Dr. Viriginia recommend meeting with teenage volunteers to explain responsibilities. Better yet, create a youth volunteer handbook that you can reference during your meeting. Make sure the handbook includes guidelines such as…

• when phones may (and may not) be used,
• what to wear,
• where and when breaks may be taken, and
• what the teens’ responsibilities are.

Once teenage volunteers review the handbook, Dr. Val and Dr. Virginia say it’s important for teens to sign the handbook, indicating a commitment to follow its guidelines.

…through specific tasks

In a Kidmin with Dr. Val & Dr. Virginia podcast episode, Dr. Virginia graciously states, “You can’t expect a student helper to look around a room, identify what needs to be done, and go do it. They’re still kids!”

So to help teen volunteers know how they can help, assign them specific tasks. For example, when a teen helper reports to serve at Sunday school, you could assign the following distinct duties:

• As kids arrive, greet them with a high-five.
• During the Bible story, read aloud the Bible verse references.
• When kids make the craft, hand out paint palettes.
• As kids leave, make sure each child brings home the craft.

To an adult, assigning those specific duties might seem like micromanaging. But for teen volunteers, specific tasks provide a sense of direction that helps them serve more effectively.

For more tips about recruiting and training volunteers, check out Group U’s course, “The Life Strategy for Recruiting and Equipping  Volunteers.”

#2. Remember: Teens are kids, too.

Teenagers can seem all grown up, can’t they? Some might be taller than you. Others capably balance part-time jobs, sports practices, and Advanced Placement courses.

But Dr. Val and Dr. Virginia caution that teenagers who are younger than 18 years old legally can’t count as adults in the classroom. (Not even the responsible high school class president who’s 17 years and 11 months.) So when you’re scheduling teenagers to serve, plan accordingly:

• First, make sure there are at least two 18+ adults in every classroom.
• Then, you can plug in teen volunteers to assist those adult leaders.

Even though teens can’t count as adults, there are so many valuable things they can do!

Dr. Val and Dr. Virginia had this great idea: “Team each teenage volunteer with an adult volunteer that will oversee their work and give them specific responsibilities.”

What an incredible discipleship opportunity!

Teen volunteers learn from adult mentors and get to serve alongside them. Just make sure adult volunteers know which responsibilities their teenage helpers can and can’t have. For example, teens can help teach a lesson, but they can’t walk with a child alone to the bathroom.

Legally, teenagers are still kids. But they’re also valuable members of your church body, who can make a grown-up-size difference in the lives of little ones.

Read more about how teens may be some of your best children’s ministry volunteers, and check out this article on Ministry Spark about classroom security practices for your ministry.

#3. Place them where they’ll thrive.

Step into your youth ministry and you’ll encounter young artists, teachers, athletes, mentors, writers, and musicians—to name a few. Teenagers at your church have gifts and interests that can serve others in meaningful ways.

Dr. Val and Dr. Viriginia see great value in letting teens serve in capacities that fit their gifts and interests. In a podcast episode about teenage volunteers, Dr. Val says, “If you can plug them into those areas, then they are going to be more useful and be able to stay on task a little bit better because it’s something they’re truly interested in.”

So as you’re placing teens in roles for children’s church or VBS, consider…

• What are teens’ gifts?
• How can teens use their gifts in children’s ministry?

Then, put your teen helpers to work—in areas where you know they’ll thrive.

For years at Group, we’ve been empowering teens to use their gifts in our Easy VBS program. We’ve learned that youth with a knack for technology make great sound booth technicians. Teens who babysit make great small group facilitators—we call them Crew Leaders. Organized high schoolers in student council can help with VBS registration. And members of a youth group worship band make great leaders for kids’ worship, too!

The Apostle Paul seemed to genuinely believe that young people can serve God’s people in meaningful ways. In fact, he urges the young minister Timothy, “Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.”

As adults, let’s try not to think less of our teen helpers. Instead, let’s set them up for success as they serve.

#4. Minister to your teen helpers.

We know: You’re a children’s minister.

But ministering to teenagers? That isn’t on your usual list of to-dos. Does connecting with teens really help you be more effective in children’s ministry?

Dr. Val and Dr. Virginia think so. They share, “By building relationships with teen helpers, [adult] volunteers can become another safe adult in the life of the teen who can encourage them and point them to Christ. Additionally, it is easier to gain cooperation and positive serving relationships with teens when they feel known and cared about by the adults around them.”

In other words, by pouring into the lives of your teenage volunteers, you’re helping them become Christ-centered leaders and committed team players on your volunteer crew. So start relationship-building now! Dr. Val and Dr. Virginia say that adult volunteers can connect with their teen helpers by asking about school, extracurricular activities, or summer plans. Even if chatting with teens is out of your comfort zone, your attempts to connect could go a long way in helping teenage volunteers feel valued.

Ministry to your teen helpers isn’t easy…but neither is children’s ministry!

Showing God’s love to these “big kids” makes a huge impact. And who knows? Maybe your grace and care are just what these young ministers need to show God’s love to kids they serve in children’s ministry.

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Meet the Experts!

Dr. Virginia Brennan serves as a kids’ ministry director in Florida. She has a passion for equipping adults with the tools to disciple children well. She speaks at conferences and enjoys investing in children’s ministry leaders. Virginia has a M.A. and Ed.D. in Christian education, with a focus on child development and spiritual formation. When Virginia isn’t podcasting and blogging, you can find her at theme parks with her husband and two kids.

 

Dr. Valerie Davidson has served in Christian education and children’s ministry for over 25 years. As a writer, conference leader, and cohost of the KidMin with Dr. Val and Dr. Virginia podcast, Val has a heart to equip leaders to engage deeply with the Word of God, teach, and lead with clarity and purpose. Val is a fan of theme parks, Star Wars, the em dash, and the oxford comma and can usually be found with a London Fog desperately writing in a coffee shop.

 

Check out their website, www.kidmindoctor.com, and find additional resources at https://linktr.ee/kidmindoctor.