My small congregation recently began coordinating with two other small congregations to take turns hosting youth events -- one event a month. So far, the coordinators have been very pleased with the level of youth participation.

From personal experience, I appreciate the challenge of trying to have youth activities that appeal to a range of ages. During my junior and senior years in high school, my family worshipped in a small congregation whose youth group was open to grades 7-12. But while I was taking advanced placement courses, applying to college, learning to drive, and wondering how to start a conversation with that girl I admired, it seemed to me that congregational leadership did not fully appreciate the significant differences between the 7th graders and the 12th graders. Not keen on being lumped together with the other "kids," I might have gone to one youth event before deciding that the youth group was not for me.

I am convinced that by involving youth early in truly meaningful and valuable service is important. After years in which youth have been primarily recipients of religious instruction, the joyful discovery that they can contribute significantly along with adults can foster an attitude of being "zealous for good works" (Titus 2:14 ESV). Some youth-related activities that I have appreciated:
• A non-Lutheran church near me trains selected older high school students to mentor children during Bible class.
• One church had a Saturday event involving knitting caps for people being treated for cancer. Youth worked alongside older church members on the assembly line.
• Another church had a team of youth and adults visit older citizens who were having difficulty maintaining the yards around their house, and in a few hours wielded an assortment of tools to restore the appearance of each selected property.
• At my church, our tiny youth group continues to collect specified items for care bags that every church member is invited to give to needy people they encounter. (I've gladly given away three of them already.)
• Our interim pastor had two young men frequently read printed prayers during the service.
• A layman who plays the french horn has started a brass quartet involving pre-teens, and no matter the quality of performance, members of the congregation seem to be delighted that the kids are stepping up and becoming more confident. I am sure I am one of many who has thanked them for their contributions.