What's the Buzz Over Preteens?

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How and why did preteens come to be separated out from the children's ministry?

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Introduction: In recent years, there has been a rise in preteen ministries. The preteen years are an in-between stage for kids. Your church can help kids through this transition with specific strategies.

Summary:

Definition of preteens: 10–12 years old, 4^th–6^th grades

Traditional kids’ ministry is K–5^th grade and traditional student ministry is 6^th–12^th grade, but there is such a large expanse of abilities and maturity in those age groups. Kids in 4^th–6^th grades don’t fit well in traditional ministries like this.

Preteen ministries help kids in 4^th–6^th grades go through the transition into early adolescence.

It is easier to address specific preteen issues in a group with a narrower age gap. These might include topics like authentic, personal faith; doubt; and big questions.

An example of preteen worship time:

• Aimed at having preteens own their faith
• Focused on understanding the “why” of worship elements
• Preteens are invited to visit stations during a specific part of worship. Stations can be faith exploration, prayer, offering, and the like. A Worship Response Station lets preteens express what they are going through on their own level.

Ideas for engaging preteens when all ages worship together in the same room:

• Give a little bit longer explanation of worship elements.
• Help with transitions between faster and slower paced parts of worship.
• Give preteens opportunities to lead in worship areas.

Ideas for preteen strategies in a smaller church:

• Start by thinking about how to specifically engage preteens on their level.
• Give them something significant! Let them be leaders.

Thought Starters:

• How are you currently ministering to preteens at your church?
• What preteen-specific worship opportunities could you create in the next six months?

Resources:

• Yancy’s “Heartbeat” curriculum
• Leading Preteens by Patrick Snow
• Caught In Between: Engage Your Preteens Before They Check Out by Dan Scott