7. Unjustified Complaints. We’re human and we’re going to make mistakes. Truth be known, I make a lot of mistakes. That’s why I don’t like getting the blame for something I had nothing to do with.

Tip: Consider the source. Does the complainer have the right information, the right attitude, and the right credentials to bring the complaint? Consider the nature of the complaint. Is there any truth in it. Finally, offer a solution if the complaint has some validity. Forget about it if it doesn’t.

8. Low Budget. Keep fighting in this department. It can be a never-ending battle. Read “Low Cost, No Cost Ideas” by Group for a mass of ideas.

Tip: Make a list of youth group alumni and ask them to contribute five or ten dollars a month to the youth fund. Ask them to sign up for a year at the time. You’ll be amazed at the number of people willing to do this when they have been blessed by the ministry in the past.

9. Cliques in the group. Before getting too concerned, make sure cliques really exist. A clique happens when subgroups form to the exclusion of others. Do your teens try purposely to leave others out, or are they just being thoughtless?

Tip: If cliques do exist, put everyone in a seating arrangement next to someone they are not close to and tell them they can’t sit where they want until the cliques disappear (just kidding). Of more benefit may be using small groups in class where students draw names each time to see who they are paired with. That way they get to work with people they are close to and get to know others at the same time.

10. Undisciplined Teens. Some teens won’t listen or behave. They try to make you look like a fool in front of the group.

Tip: Love’em anyway. Deal with the troublemakers with patience and pray that your seeds of love will bring a harvest.

Your Partners in Youth Ministry,

Paul and Al

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