The Secrets to a Successful Youth Ministry Fundraiser

The Secrets to a Successful Youth Ministry Fundraiser | BTYR Podcast • Ep 67

Ellen Hembree • January 28, 2025

Beyond Bake Sales: Rethinking Fundraising in Youth Ministry

Welcome to the Beyond the Youth Room podcast! If you want to watch the video, click here.

Today, Ryne and Keith dive into a crucial aspect of youth ministry: fundraising. It's a topic that can evoke a range of emotions, from excitement to dread. Whether you're blessed with a robust budget or constantly scraping by, this episode offers valuable insights and practical strategies to revolutionize your fundraising approach.

Ryne shares a powerful anecdote about his church's annual "Super Full Sunday" fundraiser. This creative event, held on Super Bowl Sunday, involves auctioning off food items typically enjoyed at watch parties. The result? A staggering $25,000 raised in just a couple of hours! Ryne emphasizes the importance of collaboration, noting that combining the efforts of the kids' and student ministries broadened their reach and ultimately increased their fundraising success. He's found that this one large ask per year is far more effective than constant smaller requests.

Keith, who also has extensive experience fundraising for a non-profit, discusses the common struggles of securing adequate funding. He recalls a time when his organization faced significant financial challenges, prompting them to earnestly seek God's direction. This experience led him to explore various fundraising avenues, including events, grants, individual donations, church support, and business partnerships. He highlights the value of starting small, suggesting the "dessert social" as an effective initial step. This involves inviting a select group of individuals to an intimate gathering where you can share your ministry's vision and invite them to partner with you financially.

A key takeaway from this discussion is the importance of reframing your perspective on fundraising. Keith shares how the book "The God Ask" transformed his approach. Instead of viewing fundraising as begging for handouts, he now sees it as inviting others to join in God's work. It's about presenting the ministry's mission and asking potential donors to prayerfully consider partnering financially. This shift in mindset can alleviate the pressure and awkwardness often associated with fundraising, making it a more natural and fulfilling experience.

Ryne expands on his church's "Super Full Sunday" success, explaining that the shift from a silent auction to a live auction significantly boosted their earnings. He emphasizes the importance of clearly articulating the specific needs and goals of your fundraising efforts. Donors are more likely to contribute when they understand the direct impact their generosity will have on the ministry and the students.

Keith stresses the need for convenient giving options. Offer a variety of methods, including online platforms, mobile giving, and traditional options like checks and cash. The easier it is for people to give, the more likely they are to participate. He also suggests fostering a sense of community and ownership around the fundraising initiative. When people feel connected to the mission, they are more inclined to contribute.

The conversation shifts to the concept of "transformational giving" versus "transactional giving." Keith explains that transformational giving is driven by a belief in the mission, while transactional giving focuses on immediate returns (like buying a donut). He shares an example of raising $10,000 through dessert socials and then leveraging that success to host a banquet that generated an additional $10,000 in donations and monthly support. He emphasizes that building relationships and sharing the vision is far more effective than relying on bake sales or car washes.

Ryne recounts a humorous anecdote about a car wash gone wrong, highlighting the importance of planning and preparation (and sunscreen!). He then shares how a bold vision can inspire greater generosity. He explains that people are more likely to contribute to a larger campaign that already has momentum. He also emphasizes that fundraising provides an opportunity for people who may not be able to volunteer their time to still be involved in the ministry.

Both Ryne and Keith reiterate the importance of faith. They believe that if God has called you to a ministry, He will provide the necessary resources. They encourage youth leaders to focus on the vision and trust that God will supply.

Keith offers some creative fundraising ideas, such as partnering with a donor to cover the cost of t-shirts so that all sales proceeds go directly to the ministry. He also suggests having students collect donations in decorated boxes or write support letters for mission trips. He cautions against including pre-stamped envelopes in support letters, as it can be perceived as presumptuous.

Finally, Keith highlights the power of matching gifts. Securing a donor who is willing to match contributions can incentivize others to give and double the impact of their donations. He concludes by emphasizing that asking for money is not a burden, but rather an opportunity for people to exercise their gift of giving. Many people are actively seeking opportunities to support ministries they believe in.

Ryne and Keith leave listeners with a final encouragement: trust in God's provision, focus on the transformational aspect of giving, and remember that investing in God's kingdom yields eternal rewards. They encourage listeners to like, share, subscribe, and join the Beyond the Youth Room Youth Ministry Mastermind community.

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By Ellen Hembree • July 8, 2025

Is Your Youth Ministry Stuck in a Rut? Five Warning Signs It's Time for a Revamp Are you a youth pastor or leader feeling uninspired, overwhelmed, or just going through the motions? You're not alone. A recent Barna Group study revealed that only 16% of Christian teens in the U.S. have a strong understanding of their life's purpose connected to their faith. This statistic, combined with many leaders' struggles, signals a clear need for re-evaluation in youth ministry. This post will explore five warning signs that your ministry might need a revamp and offer actionable steps to turn things around. Think of these as dashboard lights for your ministry – ignoring them won't make the problems go away! 1. Your Students Don't Know the "Why" Imagine walking into your youth group and asking the average student, "Why do you meet?" What would they say? Would they talk about fun and friends, or a deeper mission? If the "why" isn't clear, students often feel like they're just "meeting until they graduate... then meeting until they die, move, or graduate." As Michael Hyatt says, "People lose their way when they lose their why." Action Steps: Set a Bold Vision: Clearly define the purpose and mission of your youth ministry. What is God calling your specific group to do? Communicate Constantly: Use visual reminders, consistent messaging, and empower students by handing them the mission. Don't just invite them; challenge them to own it. Secret Shop Your Ministry: Consider having trusted (even non-believing) individuals or teens from outside your group "secret shop" your ministry to get honest feedback on clarity and impact. 2. You're Not Excited to Go to Youth Group (and You're Not Sure Why) We all have off nights or exhausting weeks. But if you find yourself regularly dreading youth group without a clear reason, it's a red flag. This isn't about faking enthusiasm, but recognizing a deeper issue. Ryne shared a recent experience where focusing on tasks instead of connecting with students drained his excitement. Action Steps: Evaluate Your Life Holistically: Burnout often stems from imbalances. Examine your physical, emotional, relational, and financial health. Is ministry becoming an idol? Talk to a Trusted Mentor: Share your feelings with someone who can offer perspective and ask insightful questions. Schedule Vision Retreats: Take time away, even if it's just a few hours, to get alone with God, re-evaluate your calling, and plan for the next season. Resources like retreathood.com can help connect you with free retreat spaces for ministry leaders. Reflect: When was the last time you walked into youth group with passion instead of pressure? Has it become more of a job than a calling? 3. Prayer is a Last Resort, Not Your First Oswald Chambers famously said, "Prayer does not fit us for the greater work. Prayer is the greater work." If you're constantly rushing through tasks and prayer becomes an afterthought, your ministry might be running on fumes instead of divine power. Action Steps: Study Jesus' Prayer Life: He modeled consistent, intentional prayer, even amidst intense ministry. Pray for Students by Name: Implement a system to regularly pray for individual students and specific schools or areas within your community. Make Prayer a Part of Your Ministry: Dedicate time during programs for collective prayer and teach students how to pray. Linger with the Lord: Beyond daily rhythms, seek extended times of prayer and communion with God. 4. You're Just Copying What Works Elsewhere Are you reacting to popularity or listening for purpose? While borrowing methods isn't inherently bad, exclusively copying other successful ministries without discerning God's unique call for your context can lead to an inauthentic and less impactful ministry. Ryne shared the "cutting the ends off the roast" analogy – doing things simply because they've always been done that way, or because someone else does them, can stifle true innovation and purpose. Action Steps: Ask "Why" for Every Activity: Go through your weekly activities and programs and genuinely ask why you do each one. Are they serving your unique mission? Embrace Your Ministry's Uniqueness: What is God uniquely positioning your church and youth ministry to do? Are you reaching an overlooked group or addressing a specific need in your community? Utilize Spiritual Assessments: Tools like the "four-tier assessment" can help you measure spiritual growth in your students. This helps determine if what you're doing is actually working and aligning with your goals, rather than just copying a trend. 5. You've Lowered the Bar Just to Keep Them Coming This warning sign manifests in various ways, from avoiding discipline with disruptive students to shying away from deeper biblical truths to attract more people. Lowering the bar not only alienates serious students but also communicates a lack of vision for growth. Just as you wouldn't use "baby talk" with a child forever, you shouldn't "dumb down" biblical truth. Action Steps: Define and Uphold Your Standards: Clearly articulate the behavioral and spiritual expectations for your ministry. Prioritize Growth Over Popularity: Focus on discipleship and challenging students to grow in their faith, even if it means a smaller initial attendance. Address Issues Directly: Don't avoid difficult conversations or disciplinary actions, as this can lead to a loss of respect from other students. If any of these warning signs resonate with you, it's a sign to pause, pray, and re-evaluate. Remember, God has a unique purpose for your ministry, and by addressing these areas, you can lead a more vibrant, effective, and fulfilling youth ministry. Which of these warning signs hits closest to home for you, and what's one small step you can take this week to address it?

5 Youth Ministry Myths YOU Probably Believe

By Ellen Hembree • July 1, 2025

Five Youth Ministry Myths Busted: Unpacking Hidden Assumptions for Deeper Student Growth Check out the podcast here . For years, many of us in youth ministry have held onto certain "truths" that seemed foundational. But what if these deeply ingrained beliefs are actually hindering the spiritual growth, leadership, and impact of our students? In this post, inspired by a recent discussion with Ryne , we're diving into five common youth ministry myths that might be negatively impacting your work and revealing the liberating truths behind them. Myth 1: Students are the Church of Tomorrow This is a common refrain, but it's a limiting one. While students certainly will lead the church in the future, the more critical truth is that students are the church of today . This isn't just about giving them roles; it's about recognizing the Holy Spirit's immediate work in their lives. As Ryne highlighted, there's "no junior Holy Spirit." A seven-year-old who trusts Christ has the same Spirit living within them as any adult. Think of King Josiah, who began his reign at just eight years old and became one of Israel's most faithful kings. Or consider Jesus's instruction to "let the little children come to me, for such as the kingdom of heaven." If our primary goal is to make disciples, and we know that most people make a decision for Christ during their youth, then investing heavily in kids and student ministry isn't just a good idea—it's essential for the church's health now and in the future. We need to equip them to be the church today, not just someday. Myth 2: You Need a Large Youth Group to Make a Difference Many youth pastors feel the pressure to grow their numbers, believing that a larger group equates to greater impact. However, this is a pervasive myth. The reality is that God moves through the faithful, not necessarily the large groups . The average youth group size is often cited as around 12—a number with some interesting biblical parallels! Think of the impactful stories of D.L. Moody and Billy Graham, both of whom were led to the Lord by Sunday school teachers with only a handful of students. David Livingstone, the missionary, saw only one convert in his lifetime of faithful service, yet his groundwork laid the foundation for widespread Christianity across Sub-Saharan Africa. God's increase may not always be visible in your lifetime, but faithfulness in the small things often yields exponential, unseen results. Myth 3: Students Need More Theology Before Being Used This myth suggests that students need to accumulate a vast amount of biblical knowledge or attend countless classes before they can truly live out their faith or share the Gospel. The liberating truth is: If they know enough to believe, they know enough to share. Consider the woman at the well, who immediately went to tell her town about Jesus after their conversation, or Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch, whose encounter in a chariot led to the spread of the Gospel in Ethiopia. Even the slave girl who told Naaman about Elijah—she had "bad theology" in the sense that it was God, not Elijah, who could heal him, yet her simple faith led to Naaman finding God. When students are encouraged to share their faith, even with incomplete knowledge, it often deepens their dependence on the Lord and prompts them to seek answers to questions they didn't even know they had. Students, especially those in public schools, are surrounded by thousands of peers daily—a mission field far larger than most adults encounter regularly. Leveraging this time for them to share their faith can lead to incredible growth and impact. Myth 4: Youth Ministry Success Equals Church Attendance After Graduation While we certainly desire for students to remain connected to the local church after they graduate, measuring youth ministry success solely by post-graduation attendance is a false metric. The true goal is lifelong transformation and a genuine commitment to living for Christ. Studies have even suggested that a significant portion of regular churchgoers may not have a true relationship with Christ. The church isn't successful when it's full; it's successful when it's faithful. Our aim isn't to create lifelong "consumers" of church services, but to equip students to be active, growing, and serving members of the local body of Christ. Are they serving? Are they growing spiritually? These are better indicators of lifelong transformation than mere retention. Myth 5: Students Don't Want Authority In an increasingly uncertain world, it's a myth that students inherently reject authority. In reality, they crave guidance . What they reject is hypocrisy. Post-COVID studies revealed a significant decline in trust in institutions like government and healthcare, but one group that maintained high trust among teens was "elders"—those older than them. Students are looking for authentic, relational authority figures who will speak truth to them, even if it's challenging or uncomfortable. They want to know what's true, and they will flock to those who are willing to share it with love and integrity. These five myths have perhaps been unknowingly shaping our approaches to youth ministry. By shifting our perspective and embracing these truths, we can better equip and empower our students for genuine spiritual growth and impactful lives for Christ, today. What myths have you believed that have been busted in your ministry journey? Share your thoughts in the comments below!