Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Should Youth Pastors Play Games With Their Students?
I believe it is very crucial that a youth pastor not only organizes and provides game for his or her youth group, but also that they participate in those games. The point of playing games at youth group isn't to fill up a 20 min. gap that you didn't know what else to do with. And it's certainly not a time to just distract the kids while you take a break. Playing games is a time to interact with your students and to fellowship with them. We are ALL created to have fun, not just kids and teens. If church is suppose to be a community of joy, then we absolutely must play games with the kids we are ministering to and trying to build community with.
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I also think that playing games with our students is great for conversation starters. It allows us to create memories with them which in turn stirs up conversation later on. Through those games they have the ability to get to know potentially a complete stranger and develop a relationship with them without any added pressures. Plus, if our students see us interacting and playing, they are more likely to play as well rather then just sitting back and observing.
ReplyDeleteI definitely thing that youth pastors must play games with the kids! I think it shows the kids that you are vulnerable and willing to look goofy. When they see you being vulnerable and goofy, they will do the same. This can be especially helpful when getting into serious conversations later because walls have been broken down and everybody is vulnerable. Kids will be more open with you and with each other because they can see that you aren't just a teacher, you are willing to share life together whether that be in fun times or in serious times.
ReplyDeleteI agree that youth pastors should participate in games with their youth groups. Because participating in the events can create bonding and shared experiences in the youth group. but the main thing to remember is to participate not dominate, after all the whole reason for the game is to create a good atmosphere and environment for the kids, not for you to dominate in the game.
ReplyDeleteAs youth pastors participate in games with their youth group, they are able to make themselves a prime example of a leader. Rather than simply sitting out and watching the youth play the game, youth pastors and leaders that get involved show the rest of the group how to lead by example. This is a vital skill to teach and, more importantly, to demonstrate to youth while developing student leaders within the youth group. A youth pastor who participates in games with their students will probably rarely be lacking student leaders who know how to lead by doing.
ReplyDeletei agree completely with the vulnerability thing. One of the main jobs of a youth pastor is to be a mentor to the students, or at least be a confidant. when the teens, kids, even adults see you are just one of them and not some greater than thou art type person they are more likely to be able to approach you when they need to.
ReplyDeleteI think that it is very important for youth pastors to play in the games that he/she has arranged for their youth group to play. I agree with Tony, that the game should not just be a "time filler" or an opportunity to take a break for the kids. A youth pastor needs to use these games to create a fun and safe atmosphere and to build relationships with the youth and fellowship with them.
ReplyDeleteI also agree that youth pastors should play games with their students. It not only allows them to show the students that they still have some kid inside them, but it also allows them to bond with the students that are usually hard to get to. Most of the time when kids play games they are more likely to talk to and interact with others, which for some students is really hard. When the youth pastor plays he can begin the process of getting to know the students that are hard to reach and also show the students that the he/she is approachable.
ReplyDeleteI most definitely agree that youth pastors should play games with their students. I agree with this because it is a youth pastors job to be a mentor to the teens they are serving. By being involved in youth group game time you are showing teens that your not a stereotypical adult.Bonding with teens will make them more comfortable to open up to you thus making opportunities to minister to them. Also through this time you are building memories and growing as a group. How could a youth pastor even miss out on the opportunity to grow in community with the teens they are ministering?
ReplyDeleteI believe that youth pastors should join their students in playing games. Games are not simply a time filler, they create a shared experience among the students. The youth pastor playing games with their students gives them common experience with the youth and this can help them all bond together. It is important for youth pastors to bond with their students and games is a fun and easy way in which to do this.
ReplyDeleteI definitely believe youth pastors should play the games. When the pastor isn't afraid to act a little crazy, the kids aren't either. Also, by being involved in the games, youth pastors create relationships with the kids in the group. Games are a fun way to get to know the students because a lot of times games include teamwork.
ReplyDeleteIt is vital that youth pastors play games with their teens. It is a great way to show the students that you actually do care about them. You should always be willing to run around and be ridiculous like you're having them do, it shows them that you don't think too highly of yourself and that you can be real around them. It also creates great memories and friendships with the students. If my youth pastor wasn't as crazy as he is and wouldn't have joined in the games to bond with me, then I don't know how I would have even come as far as I have in my walk with Christ. Finally, it playing games is an excellent way of worship, and worship should be done in community.
ReplyDeleteYes, Youth Pastors should play games with their students. It not only encourages the teens to play, but it also shows the teens that you do care and want to be involved in their lives. It allows fellowship to happen between the youth pastor and teen when they participate in games together. Also one learns more about the other when doing activities together, so why wouldn't the Youth Pastor want to play games with them?? Getting to know the students and forming friendships I feel is very vital for Youth Pastors. Games are a good way to start friendships, build community, and learn about one another, so a youth pastor should definitely be involved.
ReplyDeleteYes, I totally agree with you that youth pastors should play the games with their students. This serves many different purposes. The point that this serves is that as you play games you are wanting to build community not only from student to student but also you as the youth pastor are wanting to build community with the students and participating in the games that you play at youth group is one way to do that. Another reason why youth pastors should play games is because it shows that students that you really care about them. When you play games with them you are able to give them attention that they would not have otherwise received from home. During their time at you may be the only time that they are cared for during the week.
ReplyDeleteI agree, youth pastors and leaders should definitely play games with their teens. Like Tony said you don't just play games to fill a time gap, you play them for a reason. Part of our lives as Christians is to live intentionally as well to be in relationship with one another. So these games do much more then fill a time gap, they can teach lessons of; unity, teamwork or sportsmanship as well as help to form relationships.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with Tony. Playing games is a huge part of any successful youth group. Not only does it help build community amongst the members of the group, but it also allows the students to play and have fun together, which I think is exactly what God intended for us to do together as Christian brothers and sisters.
ReplyDeleteI believe that if youth ministers do not participate in the games with their teens, they are giving the group a understanding that they are not wanting to be in fellowship with them. It also gives them a reason to not participate in the games themselves which could also be a detrimental to the group.
DeleteThey should definitely be involved. It is easier to get every kid involved if you as their leader are actively participating along side them. It's an incredibly amazing way to fellowship with kids as well. Every youth pastor should play in the games they organize.
ReplyDeleteGames are important for developing a common bond between a group of vastly different teenagers. I believe if a youth leader thinks he/she is too old or good to play the games with his teens then he is missing out on a bonding experience that is crucial to gaining the authority to speak into their lives.
ReplyDelete