I need to tell you from the outset that I’m a hopeless carpenter. I don’t know if it was my propensity for bumping my head as a child that caused some synapse malfunction or merely some faulty DNA, but my brain doesn’t allow me to build even the simplest of structures. That is, when it comes to earthly structures. However, I can give a bit of wisdom when it comes to building youth groups, and here is your main thought as you start out (or continue) in youth ministry: don’t try to build a temple by first building a beach house.

I want to ask you to take a look at 1 Corinthians 3:10-17.

This great section of scripture teaches us a ton about building a solid youth ministry, but let’s just concentrate on just a couple of things from this passage. First of all, notice that what is being built is a temple (v. 16-17). It is not a recreation center nor a beach house—it is a mighty temple of God’s Spirit! Note the second thing: there is a wide choice of building materials and we must use those things that will withstand fire on the day of judgment (v. 12). The bottom line is this: how we build our youth ministries, and the materials we use are of primary importance. This, fellow youth ministers leads me to our …

Two golden rules that must guide our path

What you start out with is what you want to continue doing in the future.

What is used to attract youth must be the same as what is used to keep youth.

Now these two rules will, in effect, dictate much of what you do as you begin your youth group. You do not start with one program (designed to attract the hordes) and then hope to shift into a mo