Posted on November 6, 2009 - by rfrank

9 trends in CM leadership – part 6

Trend #6: Tweens need an identity of their own in the church

Without making ministry to tweens intentional, this age group can slip through the back door of the church. It’s time to put a deadbolt on that door and keep them actively engaged! This requires rethinking the way we minister to tweens.

Tweens have great power and are getting lots of attention. Unfortunately, most of this attention is from outside the church. The New York Times states, “The reason behind the intense focus on tweens and teens is their phenomenal purchasing power.” According to J12 Ministries, “In 2005, the tween market was a 330 billion dollar industry. The movie, music, gaming, food, and fashion industries no longer target teens because the money comes from the tweens, through the hands of parents.”

Churches are beginning to understand having a successful ministry to this age group begins with giving them an identity of their own. Patrick Snow, author of Leading Preteens (Standard), told me, “The most effective ministry to tweens I’ve seen are the ministries that not only gear their teaching towards the tweens’ learning styles but also give tweens an identity of their own. Most tweens don’t consider themselves children anymore and they respond best to ministries that affirm them in this belief. Creating their own leaders, their own space, their own name (outside of the children’s ministry) helps to do that.”

When sixth graders think that they are doing the “same thing we’ve done since we were in the first grade,” they will disconnect. It seems childish.

Tweens need to have an opportunity to do something. Gregg Johnson says that ministry to tweens “is more culture than curriculum.  When I think of clubs, I believe that the testimony of Jesus at 12 could become a new club/culture for this age group.  In the seven words that Jesus spoke (“I must be about My Father’s business”), I believe we find the needed building blocks to build a culture/club atmosphere.  Here in Anaheim, we will be getting our own building to house J12 (tween) ministries. In that building, we have already made plans for what we are calling the ‘Do’ room, because Jesus’ seven words are not about character development alone, but about calling and activity.  I believe that … we need to be able to link back to the story of Jesus at 12, who had the ‘I must’ spirit to do something (His Father’s business).”