One of the things I have found a struggle doing Jr. High Youth Ministry is the huge lack of unsolicited encouragement. It is all part and parcel to the Jr. Higher's life-stage to be egocentric. For them, it is all about them. They do not spend a lot of time thinking about how they can care for others or encourage others.
Therefore, in Jr. High ministry, it is rare to receive any form of feedback unless it is negative. If things are going GREAT - you often don't hear anything. But, if people are unhappy - you will most definitely hear about it. I often try and live by the theory in my ministry that "no news is good news."
The time that this is most difficult though is with my sunday morning teachings. I spend a lot of time writing and preparing lessons for the Jr. High ministry. I prepare what I think will not only teach them what I believe they need to learn, but also be taught in a fun and engaging manner. But almost always, every student sits there with a blank stare on their face. Then, the lesson is over and I dismiss and they all run out the door. I never (ok RARELY) hear any feedback about what they thought of the lesson. This makes it challenging at times to know whether or not I am doing a good job, but more importantly if they are getting anything from my teaching.
So, at times you have to look for this encouragement in a different type of response. This is what happened to me just before Easter this year. I wrote and had been teaching for 7 weeks a series on the 7 last saying of Christ on the Cross. I looked in-depth at each saying Christ spoke while hanging on the cross, unpacked it's meaning and impact, and gave personal application for what this can mean for us today. The Jr. Highers seemed to be very engaged in the entire series and understanding it.
My encouragement came on the final week of this study where I wanted to do a quick review of the entire series as we concluded. Many of the students could remember EVERY saying of Christ on the Cross IN ORDER!!! I was so impressed and amazed. Even a couple of the adults who were helping that morning commented to me about how telling it was that the students remembered the details of this series. So, while not directly spoken, it was definitely an encouragement for me.
That's encouraging when that happens...
I know the blank stare all to well as I am sure anyone that works with youth does.
Posted by: Pastor Bob | April 23, 2007 at 10:09 AM
They may appear as if they are not getting it, but indeed they are. Middle schoolers are such a fascinating group. Love 'em!
Posted by: Brian Eberly | April 23, 2007 at 01:27 PM
Whether 9 or 14 the “blank stare” is innate in every child ☺ Today I had to remind my 3rd grade student that his desk was not, in fact, his bed. When I announced it was time for Social Studies I received an audible groan from the kids. Ahh the joys of teaching. I love you honey and think your lessons are AWESOME! Kisses …
Posted by: Christi Nielsen | April 23, 2007 at 09:31 PM