Top Seven Head to the Heart Confirmation Tips
Over the years, we’ve come to realize you can set yourself up for smashing success or smashing failure based on a series of critical factors. Give yourself a quick quiz and see how many you currently have in place and how many you need to work on this year.
Tip 1: Small Enough Groups
No more than eight people in a group! That includes the Guide. If you have more, you’re never going to be as effective in meeting the pastoral care needs of kids and your program will struggle. If the ratio is 1-4 or 1-5, you’re going to have better results and kids who feel cared for will invite their friends. Build your groups with growth in mind!
Tip 2: Hold a Leader Gathering: The Huddle
One of the easiest things to overlook is the leader gathering, something we call the Huddle. Don’t! These events are vital to building team, maintaining focus, and bonding you volunteers together. Don’t ever forget to recharge and have fun! Once a month, once every other month—do whatever you can manage. This will be a real shot in the arm to your ministry.
Tip 3: Junior Guides
If you have one or more high school helper for every small group, you’re setting yourself up for success and growing new leaders at the same time. Win/win.
Tip 4: Highs & Lows & Prayer
In the most effective H2H programs, the pastoral care needs of adolescents are integrated directly into the educational ministry by sharing these personal issues, then bringing them to God in large-group prayer. Kids may leave a “class” after confirmation day, but they don’t leave the friends who have huddled with them week after week, shared their Highs and Lows together, and prayed.
Tip 5: Accountable, Safe Touch
Simple, safe touch can be a powerfully positive thing. Integrate some of these safe, accountable touches into every gathering:
Safe Touch 1: A high five, handshake or special greeting by the guide and group the moment they walk through the door
Safe Touch 2: Opening “touch” music or game (“Mess your neighbor’s hair”, etc.)
Safe Touch 3: Hands held in opening prayer
Safe Touch 4: Arms locked in during small group prayer
Safe Touch 5: The blessing cross on every forehead before they leave the room.
Tip 6: Teach Visually
If you are teaching primarily with lecture (i.e., the spoken word) you are not being the best steward of your time, or of the kids’ brain. Lecture only activates about 5% of the human brain. A picture activates between 25-33%. If your theme event brings in just one visual element, you’ll be much further down the road in getting your point across.
Tip 7: Music
Whether you sing camp songs with a guitar, or simply have some contemporary Christian tunes playing as kids enter the room, music is a critical factor. Youth live in the world of music. If you aren’t adding it in some way, you are missing a powerful tool.