The Difference Between Hosting a Launch and Just Starting Back

Everyone has a Launch even though they don’t use the word. In a Youth Ministry context, a Launch is a focused strategy to restarting a season in ministry. We typically look at the seasons of Youth Ministry as Fall, Spring and Summer. Each has distinct breaks in rhythm. A Launch will recognize those breaks and program to introduce each season with a strategy purpose, theme, and plan.

Here are a few of the ways we have seen Launches in Student Ministry work.

Use a Launch for outreach. When there is something new it creates excitement and become a part of creating an inviting culture.
Use a Launch to develop your leadership team of students and adults. There are lot of ways these groups can contribute from brainstorming to creating. More on this when we get to our Leadership Series later this fall.
Make the first day of the Launch a “can’t miss” event. The first day of a Launch is critical. You need to bring your A game. The best Launch day is one the students will be talking about the next day. That’s a high bar but worth the stretch.
Some use a missional Launch where students will bring food items for the church food pantry or backpacks/school supplies for the start of the Fall semester.
Have your students lead a portion of the Launch. They can have a small or large part. Just make sure they are trained and equipped. This is the Launch.
Use each week of the Launch to introduce the following week. Take a lesson from television. They will set you up where you will tune in next time.

So, a Launch is not complicated, but it can help set you up throughout the year. Evaluate your Student Ministry, think through what you need to say to them this semester and then Launch.

Ready?