Raise your hand if you feel awkward when walking into a room where you might not know anyone. 😬🙋♀️ What do you do with your hands? Where do you sit? Do you walk up to people and introduce yourself or wait till someone comes to you? Now, picture yourself as a teenager with all the extra insecurities and walking into a room where you may or may not know people. I think that deserves a double 😬😬!
Whether it’s welcoming a first-time guest or a student who’s been to your group for years, we want to create safe and welcoming environments for all! This helps students come back to our groups. We’re creating that comfortable atmosphere where they feel like this is their family and will take ownership of the group.
Now, we all want to feel wanted and seen, so how do we make sure we do this in our Youth Ministries and events? Here are some practical ideas!
- Welcome teams! What does it mean, in your context, to have a welcome team? Is this your adult leaders or maybe a student team? Have them specifically be looking out for new students. Greet them as they come in the door, but also have them floating around to catch those new students wherever they are in the room.
- Have a point where new students go along with someone manning that area. A welcome desk, the hub, or just a general area where students know to bring their new friends. This is also a place where the less social students know that someone will be there and can talk to them! Double win!
- Make it a point to communicate with your leaders to mingle and connect with students. Try to avoid “clumpy oatmeal” happening with leaders (leaders hanging with just leaders). Communicating the why behind this concept will also help them buy into the mission and intent of creating a safe and welcoming environment.
Not sure what a welcoming and safe environment looks and feels like for your group? Ask the students and adult leaders involved! What is a place they’ve gone to and felt welcomed? What did they do that made them feel this way? Did the layout of the room and things in the room add to this? Maybe you can arrange the furniture in the room to help create this open atmosphere.
Take a moment and see if your Youth Ministry or events feel safe and welcoming. What are you doing well, and what could you add or tweak to make students feel like they are walking into a safe home when coming to your programming? Let’s communicate the love of Jesus right when they walk through our doors and let that welcoming love trickle throughout our evenings.
