Fun vs Missions

Having done youth ministry for 50 years, I've seen some major changes in attitudes by the youth. Although there are always variations and one group may fit a pattern more than others, one of the interesting changes is that in the early days of my ministry fun activities brought the kids out and service projects drove them away. The current generation prefers worthwhile to fun.

• The last 10 years of my ministry I could count on better attendance for service projects than fun nights.
• However, just I used to push my early kids to do worthwhile things, we need to help the current generation to have fun. They need, for their health and well-roundness to be helped to be youth in all its silliness
• One way to accomplish this is to make sure regular events have a fun component. Either a part of every youth meeting is fun and silliness, or once a month.
• When planning a mission trip or other bigger events build in a fun day or time. I usually put this midweek rather than at the end in order to break up the week.