2025 YOUTH MINISTRY:
If you started youth ministry in the mid-2000s, you probably remember the days of “if you build it, they will come.” Pizza, black lights, a few inflatable sumo suits, and you could draw hundreds.
The obvious facts is that world doesn’t exist anymore. Not just because students are on their phones, but because the whole cultural foundation that made that model work has shifted. (AND THAT’S NOT BAD)
After doing this a while I just want to encourage folks that student ministry hasn’t died… it’s just matured. (AND THAT'S A GOOD THING) So here’s some reflections….
--
10 Ways Student Ministry Has Changed:
1. From Monoculture to Microcultures
In 2005, most students listened to the same music and wore the same brands. Now? Every student group is its own universe. (Ask 10 students what they listen to and you will hear 8 different artists you probably never heard of!)
2. From Event-Based to Relationship-Driven
Big nights and camps used to be the “win.” Now, students show up because someone sees them, not because it's a hype event.
3. From Attractional to Authentic
They’re not impressed by your stage. They’re asking if your life is real. If it’s not, they’ll scroll on. (Currently, we ditched the screen and literally have a student writing the notes on a big whiteboard while the talk is happening.)
4. From Come-and-See to Go-and-Be
We used to wait for them to walk in the door. Sure, we’ve been going to schools and bands for a long time, but now their spaces are becoming increasingly more digital. (Discord, Online Gaming, etc)
5. From Segregated Age Groups to Intergenerational Faith
Students aren’t just looking for cool young leaders. They’re desperate for spiritual mothers, fathers, and grandparents.
6. From Behavior Management to Identity Formation
Morality talks aren’t enough. (Truthfully, they never have been.) Students need a gospel-rooted identity in a world trying to redefine them every day.
7. From Programmed Discipleship to Life-on-Life Mentorship
Discipleship isn't a six-week series. It’s car rides. It’s texts. It’s walking through grief and joy together.
8. From Cultural Christianity to Remnant Faithfulness
Going to church isn’t “normal” anymore. (Even here in the “Bible Belt.” Which means students who stay are often more serious about their faith.
9. From Passive Listeners to Cultural Interpreters
Gen Z doesn’t just want to be taught. They want to wrestle, discuss, and interpret faith in real time.
10. From Consumer Models to Missional Communities
Students don’t want to just receive ministry. They want to be part of something that matters. It’s a rejection of the consumer society they have grown up in. (That unfortunately a lot of churches have also adopted)
--
10 Positives That Have Come Through This Shift:
1. More Honest Conversations
You don’t have to pretend everything’s okay to be “churchy.” Students crave vulnerability. Conversations that used to take weeks of getting to know someone to have can literally happen the first week now at times.
2. Higher Hunger for Truth
Culture offers 1,000 versions of “you do you,” students lean in when you preach what’s true and unchanging regardless of culture’s opinion.
3. Better Long-Term Fruit
Shallow faith isn’t holding up in this culture, but deeper roots are growing in students who stick with Jesus.
4. More Diversity in the Room
We’re seeing students from different racial, economic, and social backgrounds engaging together in meaningful ways.
5. Smaller Groups, Bigger Impact
The rooms may be smaller, but the discipleship can be deeper.
6. Increased Leader Engagement
Adult leaders know now they aren’t chaperones…they’re disciple-makers.
7. Creative Ministry Models
Digital tools, pop-up groups, and house church vibes are making room for new expressions of student faith.
8. Student-Led Ministry
Gen Z wants to lead now. Not just “one day.” They want to do the thing. Not just on some mission trip either, but in your services.
9. Stronger Partnerships with Parents
No competing with families. We’re partnering with them in the formation process.
10. Dependence on the Spirit Over the Script
Programming is helpful, but students respond when we follow the Spirit more than the spreadsheet.
--
10 Tweaks to Expectations & Programming That Help
1. Expect Lower Numbers, Aim for Higher Engagement
Ten invested students > hundred passive attendees.
2. Deeper Teaching, Longer Conversations
Students sit in a classroom for 1.5 hours an learn about photosynthesis. Geez-Louise, they can handle a good sermon on the preservation of the saints. The biggest part is to remember to create space for dialogue about the content. They want to wrestle with the content.
3. Shift from Weekly Wow to Consistent Presence
Show them you see them. Handwrite cards. Make them something cool. Over and over again. It takes time. Good.
4. Make Space for Lament
Students carry real anxiety and pain. Don’t rush them through it with happy songs and hype.
5. Use Digital Platforms for Connection, Not Just Promotion
Pray over voice memos. Share things that have meaning. Connect with them about life in the GroupMe chat. Be a presence where they already are.
6. Involve Students in Planning
Give them real roles, not just mic time.
7. Train Leaders to Be Pastoral, Not Just Helpful
Your small group leaders are shepherds, not just volunteers. Fence the leadership accordingly.
8. Adjust Metrics for Success
Wins aren’t attendance. They’re transformation. Wins aren’t attendance. They’re transformation. Wins aren’t attendance. They’re transformation. Wins aren’t attendance. They’re transformation. Wins aren’t attendance. They’re transformation.
9. Create Rhythms of Retreat and Reflection
Students need quiet, rest, and space to meet with God.
10. Be Okay With the Long Game.
Don’t expect instant fruit. Just plant and water. Trust God to give the growth.
Student Ministry didn’t die. It just grew up. // So did we.
- Delmar Peet
If you started youth ministry in the mid-2000s, you probably remember the days of “if you build it, they will come.” Pizza, black lights, a few inflatable sumo suits, and you could draw hundreds.
The obvious facts is that world doesn’t exist anymore. Not just because students are on their phones, but because the whole cultural foundation that made that model work has shifted. (AND THAT’S NOT BAD)
After doing this a while I just want to encourage folks that student ministry hasn’t died… it’s just matured. (AND THAT'S A GOOD THING) So here’s some reflections….
--
10 Ways Student Ministry Has Changed:
1. From Monoculture to Microcultures
In 2005, most students listened to the same music and wore the same brands. Now? Every student group is its own universe. (Ask 10 students what they listen to and you will hear 8 different artists you probably never heard of!)
2. From Event-Based to Relationship-Driven
Big nights and camps used to be the “win.” Now, students show up because someone sees them, not because it's a hype event.
3. From Attractional to Authentic
They’re not impressed by your stage. They’re asking if your life is real. If it’s not, they’ll scroll on. (Currently, we ditched the screen and literally have a student writing the notes on a big whiteboard while the talk is happening.)
4. From Come-and-See to Go-and-Be
We used to wait for them to walk in the door. Sure, we’ve been going to schools and bands for a long time, but now their spaces are becoming increasingly more digital. (Discord, Online Gaming, etc)
5. From Segregated Age Groups to Intergenerational Faith
Students aren’t just looking for cool young leaders. They’re desperate for spiritual mothers, fathers, and grandparents.
6. From Behavior Management to Identity Formation
Morality talks aren’t enough. (Truthfully, they never have been.) Students need a gospel-rooted identity in a world trying to redefine them every day.
7. From Programmed Discipleship to Life-on-Life Mentorship
Discipleship isn't a six-week series. It’s car rides. It’s texts. It’s walking through grief and joy together.
8. From Cultural Christianity to Remnant Faithfulness
Going to church isn’t “normal” anymore. (Even here in the “Bible Belt.” Which means students who stay are often more serious about their faith.
9. From Passive Listeners to Cultural Interpreters
Gen Z doesn’t just want to be taught. They want to wrestle, discuss, and interpret faith in real time.
10. From Consumer Models to Missional Communities
Students don’t want to just receive ministry. They want to be part of something that matters. It’s a rejection of the consumer society they have grown up in. (That unfortunately a lot of churches have also adopted)
--
10 Positives That Have Come Through This Shift:
1. More Honest Conversations
You don’t have to pretend everything’s okay to be “churchy.” Students crave vulnerability. Conversations that used to take weeks of getting to know someone to have can literally happen the first week now at times.
2. Higher Hunger for Truth
Culture offers 1,000 versions of “you do you,” students lean in when you preach what’s true and unchanging regardless of culture’s opinion.
3. Better Long-Term Fruit
Shallow faith isn’t holding up in this culture, but deeper roots are growing in students who stick with Jesus.
4. More Diversity in the Room
We’re seeing students from different racial, economic, and social backgrounds engaging together in meaningful ways.
5. Smaller Groups, Bigger Impact
The rooms may be smaller, but the discipleship can be deeper.
6. Increased Leader Engagement
Adult leaders know now they aren’t chaperones…they’re disciple-makers.
7. Creative Ministry Models
Digital tools, pop-up groups, and house church vibes are making room for new expressions of student faith.
8. Student-Led Ministry
Gen Z wants to lead now. Not just “one day.” They want to do the thing. Not just on some mission trip either, but in your services.
9. Stronger Partnerships with Parents
No competing with families. We’re partnering with them in the formation process.
10. Dependence on the Spirit Over the Script
Programming is helpful, but students respond when we follow the Spirit more than the spreadsheet.
--
10 Tweaks to Expectations & Programming That Help
1. Expect Lower Numbers, Aim for Higher Engagement
Ten invested students > hundred passive attendees.
2. Deeper Teaching, Longer Conversations
Students sit in a classroom for 1.5 hours an learn about photosynthesis. Geez-Louise, they can handle a good sermon on the preservation of the saints. The biggest part is to remember to create space for dialogue about the content. They want to wrestle with the content.
3. Shift from Weekly Wow to Consistent Presence
Show them you see them. Handwrite cards. Make them something cool. Over and over again. It takes time. Good.
4. Make Space for Lament
Students carry real anxiety and pain. Don’t rush them through it with happy songs and hype.
5. Use Digital Platforms for Connection, Not Just Promotion
Pray over voice memos. Share things that have meaning. Connect with them about life in the GroupMe chat. Be a presence where they already are.
6. Involve Students in Planning
Give them real roles, not just mic time.
7. Train Leaders to Be Pastoral, Not Just Helpful
Your small group leaders are shepherds, not just volunteers. Fence the leadership accordingly.
8. Adjust Metrics for Success
Wins aren’t attendance. They’re transformation. Wins aren’t attendance. They’re transformation. Wins aren’t attendance. They’re transformation. Wins aren’t attendance. They’re transformation. Wins aren’t attendance. They’re transformation.
9. Create Rhythms of Retreat and Reflection
Students need quiet, rest, and space to meet with God.
10. Be Okay With the Long Game.
Don’t expect instant fruit. Just plant and water. Trust God to give the growth.
Student Ministry didn’t die. It just grew up. // So did we.
- Delmar Peet