Unless you’re a big Star Trek fan, chances are you hear the phrase “next generation” mainly while shopping in your favorite big-box electronics store or watching a smart-phone commercial. When it’s used to describe technology, next generation means the latest and greatest innovation. The term promises an improved version of your favorite device, as long as you’re willing to shell out the money for a new one.
When it’s used to describe children’s ministry, next generation also implies a better approach — specifically, a more effective way of reaching and teaching young people of all ages. Because next generation, or “NextGen,” ministry is family-friendly and collaborative, churches are jumping on board-and reaping the benefits.
NEXTGEN DEFINED
Traditionally, Christian education has been organized according to age groups, with each church having a preschool ministry, elementary-age ministry, junior high ministry, high school ministry, college-age ministry, and so on. Although this approach allows people to specialize in a particular field, it can also lead to isolation (called a “silo mentality”) rather than a shared ministry effort. Separate ministries with separate objectives and competing calendars inevitably frustrate ministry leaders as well as parents.
When I began serving in children’s ministry 10 years ago, my job was volunteering at the check-in table. That’s the only area I knew anything about. But as my children grew older and transitioned into other ministries, I began learning about new age groups, too. As my role developed, so did my understanding, heart, and vision.
NextGen ministry embraces this broadened perspective. Simply put, it’s ministry to multiple age groups who are the next generation. It involves a strategic plan for young people from cradle to college, with measurable goals and clear objectives for each age. Proponents of NextGen ministry encourage mixed-age activities, relationships, and family involvement. They also believe young people should take active roles in the local church.
NextGen ministry has its roots in the burgeoning family ministry movement, in which churches partner with parents for children’s spiritual education. From a practical perspective, it’s tough for a church to truly partner with homes if families must race in 50 different directions to meet each of their children’s needs. So NextGen ministry is emerging as the solution. By using an intentional, shared ministry effort, churches are striving to collaboratively reach the next generation as a whole.
NextGen isn’t another program; it’s a philosophy. With unified vision, purposeful planning, and steadfast prayer, it’s becoming a reality at churches across America. They’re using NextGen ministry in different ways, based on their size and circumstances. Some people describe it as an all-encompassing umbrella that connects their separate programs, while others have abolished many of the age-related boundaries that previously defined their education programs.
NEXTGEN MINISTRY IN A NUTSHELL
Only you and your leadership can decide what's best for your church. But you'll want to keep some big-picture concepts-and your end result-in mind as you hammer out the specifics.
Unified Vision-All of your church's programs for children and teenagers must work towards a common goal. Children's and youth ministers are laying the foundation for children for the rest of their lives. That's no small task. So first decide what you want kids to walk away with when they graduate. Then you'll have a clear measuring stick to determine whether you hit the mark. Sample vision statements include: "Each generation will learn from the generation before it and serves the generation after it." "Every family will be equipped and encouraged to fulfill its God-given role." "" Creating this type of environment begins at the top, with a vision owned by the church's senior leadership, "says veteran children's minister Greg Baird, founder of KidMin360. "The vision must be translated to strategy and practically implemented as a church and for each specific department. Each major decision should be weighed against the vision and strategy. "
Collaboration-Prayerfully brainstorm and map out your ideas together. After you determine your end goal, develop smaller goals for each age-specific area of ministry. With your leaders and staff, decide which concepts children need to understand before they transition from one ministry area to the next. Then choose specific lessons and approaches that will best prepare and equip children for the steps ahead. Agree to troubleshoot any issues that arise during the transition. When I sat down with our church's leadership to plan a NextGen approach, I was amazed at how the details fell into place after we were all agreed about our vision.
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