JIT' verybody talks ahout it, but so few do anything about it. This is not on ly true about the weather, but also Youth W ork in the local church. The usual attitude toward this important phase of the local church’s ministry is a cross between a circus (with sideshows and three-ring acts) and a museum (where relics of the dry past are for “ exhibition on ly” ). No matter whether the local church is small or large, one of the keys to success is the effectiveness of the Youth Program. But, someone w ill ask, everybody knows this but where can we find a practical outline wh ich we can adapt to our local youth program? W hat are the factors involved in producing such an effective youth work? In outline form we suggest the following: I. PRAYER N ot the usual attitude o f “ w ell, at least w e can pray” , but a working intelligen t prayer plan, w ith at least the follow ing characteristics: A. “ Specifics” — In order to pray for the youth work, get a supply of 3x5 cards of different colors, on wh ich to list names, addresses, ‘phone numbers, hobbies, interests, problems of the youth in your community. List them in the categories as indicated: 1. “ regulars ” -—■Those few faithful ones who are always on hand. List information about them on white carets. 2. “ occasionals ” — The ones who drift in now and then, especially when there is something “special” going on. Use blue cards. 3. “ possibilities ” — Those young people in the community who don’t come to the youth groups, but are Protestant possibilities. Use green cards. 4. “ im possibilities ” — The ones about whom every one says, “Oh, they will never come! Why the roof would fall in before they came!” Use orange cards. (Then pray especially for them.) B. “ Sources” But, where can this information be found? There are several sources, of which the follow ing are but a few:
C. “ Services” — With this information on the cards, have special times set aside for specific prayer for the young people so listed by name and by need. Even if you have but four to start with, the effectiveness of such prayer preparation cannot be measured, and it won’t be long before the four will be multiplied. Some churches have a special time in the mid week prayer meeting for the young people to have their own prayer time. Others meet after the evening service for this purpose. Still others have early morning prayer meeting during the week (once a week) before school. As the Occasionals, Possibilities and Impos sibilities become Regulars, change the colors of their cards. It is a thrill to see the file change color. It is a visual answer to prayer! II. PROGRAM A ll the prayer in the world w ill not substitute for an attractive program that produces results in changed lives. H ere are a few suggestions: A. V ision
1. Plan Ahead! Using the Youth officers, in coopera tion with the proper church board (e.g. Board of Christian Education, or Committee on Youth) line out your program three months in advance. 2. Determine your year’s purpose and goals. What do you wish to accomplish? Perhaps you can list the themes by the month, such as: Jan. P ersonal E vangelism (The best New Year’s resolution) Feb. P atriotism or C h ristian (In the month of Presidents) Mar. M issions (Youth and the great commission) Apr. O u r C h u rc h , its D istinctives (What makes our church go?) May B oy -G irl R elationships (“ In the spring, a young man’s fancy . . . ” ) June T h e H ome (How to live at home and like i t . . . ” ) July M ak in g S u m m e r W orthw h ile (Gainful, spiritual activities) Aug. T h e B ible (How we got our Bible, etc.) Sept. S cience and th e F aith (A credible Christianity) THE KING'S BUSINESS
1. The Sunday School and VBS lists 2. The class lists in the public schools 3. Neighborhood information 4. Families — sisters, brothers, cousins, etc.
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