When I first started out in youth ministry I was blessed to serve in a town with several youth pastors who had a spirit of unity, we worked together to reach the youth of that community. While our churches were different and we had our differences we agreed to work together on our priority which was to see students come to know Jesus Christ as their Savior. That network of youth pastors and the churches we were part of grew to the point that we were able to open a youth center to be used to reach students.
Here on the Outer Banks I'm able to participate in another network of youth ministers. A few years ago we formed the Outer Banks Youth Ministry Network. This network is made up of youth ministers from Methodist, Presbyterian, Non-Denominational and Southern Baptist churches. It has been a blessing to be able to sit down the second Tuesday of each month at a table of youth pastors and pray together, hear a devotional and share ideas. Our goal is to network together to reach students.
A few things I have learned in setting up a network:
1. Know your purpose as a network.
2. Be clear about why the network exists.
3. Decide when and where to meet. (don't let it look anything like a business or committee meeting)
4. Clarify how the network will work together.
5. Have a person on point.
6. Invite community churches to participate.
If there is a youth ministry network in your community I would encourage you to get involved. If your community doesn't have a network I would encourage you to gather some youth leaders together and form your own network. It is a great to be able to get together with other like-minded youth leaders and pick each other's brains and encourage one another.
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