Details Matter!

Details matter! Let’s be sure we get that straight right from the start…details matter. If you were in one of the college classes I teach or a member of my youth leadership team, you might even get tired of hearing that little phrase “details matter”. So, what do I mean by “details matter?” Read on and find out.

Details are those little things we do in youth ministry that make a BIG difference. And at first glance, you may ask “What difference do those details make?” I submit to you today that it makes a bigger difference than you think. Let me give you some examples of details. Keep in my mind that this list is not exhaustive, but the following are common details that I see overlooked in the youth ministries I consult with.

* All necessary copies made before the youth service/meeting starts.
* All materials / supplies needed for activities and games ready, out, and in order.
* Sound is correct. All microphones work properly and ready to use.
* Youth leadership team is early or at least on time.
* There are youth leaders present early to insure proper supervision of arriving teens.
* At least one youth leader is outside before meeting to greet arriving students and demonstrate to parents that adults are present and watching.
* If using pencils, they are all sharpened / markers all work.
* Room is arranged / chairs set up, etc. BEFORE students arrive.
* Youth leaders stay after the meetings until the majority of students have left. At least one male and one female staff stay until ALL youth have left the property.
* Youth Pastor’s office is neat, orderly, and professional.
* Youth nights are planned in such a way that no gaps of free time exist. Back up activities are in place if other activities turn out to be too short.
* Youth leader can easily locate copies of paperwork such a release forms, information packets, and coming event fliers.

Please believe me when I tell you that this list could go on and on! But maybe the above gives you a little insight into what I mean when I say details matter. Now, why do details matter so much? Let me share with you a couple of thoughts.

First, watching the details is of paramount importance as it relates to group management. When copies are not ready, pencils are not sharpened or there is not a plan that takes the entire youth time, then groups of students can quickly get out of control. For example, if you have 25 middle school youth in a bible study and you have to leave the room to make copies, those 12-14 year olds may find some very creative things to do while you are gone and you may not be pleased with the results! Or imagine that you have those same 25 early teens and you are going to leave it to them to set up the chairs and tables for the meeting. The potential chaos that could follow may take a large part of your youth time just setting up and getting the students back in order. My point is this; taking care of the details will assist greatly in effectively managing groups of students during youth activities.

Second, watching the details adds credibility to your ministry. Whether you realize it or even care, other people are watching your youth ministry. Parents may be totally involved in the ministry or just get a glimpse as they drop Johnny off, but parents are watching. Other people in the church are watching the youth ministry. Maybe you have ministry supporters, maybe you have those who want no youth ministry, but they are all watching. Watching the details adds quality to the ministry. And quality adds credibility to the ministry.

Think through this scenario. Maybe you decide to offer a retreat weekend for your high school youth members. Mrs. Smith, whose daughter is new in the ministry, is deciding whether she will allow her 9th grade child to attend the retreat event. But every time Mrs. Smith drops her daughter off at youth group, she does not see any adults. When she stops by to pick up the information, the youth pastor searches his desk pushing aside empty soda cans, open books, papers, and CD’s mumbling, “Now where did I put those permission forms?” Now, the youth pastor may be just the most responsible best guy around, but he has done nothing to demonstrate that to Mrs. Smith. All she knows is what she has seen. It could be legitimately asked if he cannot keep with permission forms, is he capable of keeping up with a group of high school students on a trip.

I have a challenge for you today; think about the details in your youth ministry. Are you giving that extra effort to step beyond the accepted norm mediocre and going for real quality? In all my years doing this, I have learned that quality flows from the details, and details matter!

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