SWAG

Reaching out and ministering to youth can be very challenging and intimidating at times.  With how often fashion, technology, and pop culture slang changes, it often times feels like being “cool” is a moving target.  As youth pastors, leaders, and volunteers we don’t have to compromise who we are in order to reach students, but we do have to step up our game and have an understanding of what’s hot in today’s youth culture.  We need to have our own “swag” and here are a few tips of advice that can help:

S – Stay on top of the emerging trends in technology…especially social media.  If you want to have influence, then you need to be where the students are.  The worst thing we could do is refuse to learn what’s new and hot and get totally left in the past.  If you stay in touch with the constantly changing trends, you will be more culturally relevant in your ministry efforts.

W – Wear something cool.  You don’t have to go out and buy a whole new wardrobe just to be a youth volunteer, but having a few trendy articles of clothing can go a long way. The Apostle Paul said that he became all things to all people that he might win some (1 Corinthians 9:22). The truth of the matter is that if you have that “look” and “cool factor,” the students will be more drawn to you.  Something as simple as a T-shirt or a pair of jeans can be the difference between getting passed by and having an eternal conversation with a student.

A – Allow the students you are trying to reach and connect with to mentor you.  You don’t have to know everything that is going on nor do you have to fake or pretend like you do.  Why not instead engage in some “reverse mentoring” in which you ask questions and initiate dialogue with students who will in turn teach you about what’s cool and hip.

G – Go to events in your students lives outside of youth service.  Nothing speaks a louder “I care about you” more than taking the time to go to a sports game or band performance!  This builds major relational power and influence that will give you an open door to speak into students’ lives.

You don’t have to do all of these things all in one day, but pick one or two and you will have a whole new “swag” about you that will be more appealing to the students in your youth group!

-Eric