It’s August already. Where did summer go? Football and soccer practice have started at the high schools. Wal-Mart and Sears are finishing up their back-to-school sales. It’s that time again. Now’s the time to realize that another summer is just about over, and it’s almost time for school to start for another year.

Anticipating the fall calendar makes us realize that today’s students are very, very busy. One youth worker told me the schedule of one of his key teens. He gets to the high school by 6 o’clock each morning to lift weights for football; he is in class from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m., and then goes to practice until about 5:30 p.m. He has to drive to school because he goes right from football practice to his job at a local grocery store until 9:00p.m. Then has to do homework (and try to fit dinner in there someplace) until bedtime. There are games on Friday nights, more hours at work on Saturday, then Sunday School and church on Sunday. This student also plays on the high school basketball team, and he’s thinking about going out for track in the spring. This particular youth worker told me that even though this young man is one of his sharpest kids (a three-sport athlete and a conscientious worker), he hasn’t attended Wednesday evening youth group meetings in almost three years.

Another youth worker told me about one of the girls in his ministry. She is active on the school yearbook staff, plays in the band, is a member of student council, works almost twenty hours each week at a fast-food restaurant, and tutors other students each morning before school. This girl is from a solid family who has been members of their church for years, but she is so busy that she hardly ever comes to Sunday School or Sunday morning church services due to her full schedule of other events and activities.

An interesting and revealing article in this week’s issue of Time magazine features a special report on today’s teenagers entitled, “Being 13.” The article presents this scenario of what it’s like being a 13-year-old cheerleader. “Thanks to cheerleading . . . they have all begun to feel the weight of great expectations bearing down on them. An activity that used to be more of a vanity showcase for well-connected kids now reflects the increasingly competitive nature of childhood, not only to excel but to be well rounded as well. [They] rush form school to practice to private coaching sessions, then home to cram in schoolwork before a late bedtime, only to rise early so they can make more practices in the morning. Good grades are a must… And peer pressure is rising as old friends suddenly become jealous enemies or embarrassing reminders of a childhood left behind . . . [This] may be the ultimate magnifying lens for the manifold pressure of being a modern 13-year-old.”

What do you think? Are today’s students too busy?

The youth workers I met with this summer definitely thought so, but they were somewhat perplexed as what to do about it. Their concern was that today’s busyness is a direct by-product of over-extended and over-controlling parents who want their kids involved in everything as a status symbol for some misguided view of success. I’m not sure that’s the total problem, but I definitely agree that many of today’s students are very busy, and probably quite stressed about their many and varied responsibilities.

I’ve had the opportunity to pray about this for a few days, and at the risk of making a complex situation seem simple, I’d like to suggest a few ideas that youth workers should think through.

1. Help students and parents identify which activities and events are indeed crucial for their Christian walk.

Perhaps we have unintentionally developed a smorgasbord approach to ministry where our people think they can pick and choose which things to attend. Let’s help our people determine which things are non-negotiable and which things are “electives.” Here are some questions to consider: (1) what about daily devotions and time with the Lord?; (2) what about church attendance and involvement in ministry?; (3) what about evangelism and outreach? You’ll need to help people prioritize their lives so that they leave time for the things God would have them to do.

2. Ask students and parents to make a commitment to the things of the Lord.

Once our people know which items should be priorities in their lives, why not ask them to make a commitment to be involved for a specific amount of time? One youth worker mentioned that he asked his students to make a six-month commitment to Sunday School, church, and youth group. His feeling was that if the students would commit to that period of time they might be more likely to keep coming after that. Maybe he’s on to something there. Sports teams ask for a commitment. So does the band or choir; even the yearbook staff asks students to commit to being involved. Don’t forget that our Lord asked for a commitment from His disciples as well—and they “left all” to follow Him. Maybe we have typically asked for too little from our students. (I’m interested in hearing what you think about this issue. Send me a note at mwalker@garbc.org or post a response below.)

3. Don’t over-schedule your youth ministry.

Perhaps it’s time to reconsider the way we schedule youth events. Do our students really need—or even want—all of the things we organize for them? It might be a better plan to have fewer, but more strategic activities and meetings. Maybe we should work on quality, not quantity, when it comes to youth activities. I am coming to the conclusion that maybe we should have fewer events and instead build basic spiritual disciplines into the lives of our kids. That way they can go on living for the Lord instead of jumping from one "spiritual" event to another.

4. Talk to parents of teenagers about their goals and desires for their students.

Instead of making this the problem of busy kids an adversarial relationship with parents, why not meet with them to discuss their priorities for their kids? Youth workers, do you really know what parents are thinking? My guess is that you won’t really know what they want for their own kids unless you ask them. Why not find out what they want, and then get on the same page with them? Our purpose should be to help Christian parents be a spiritual success with their own kids.

I want to share one other thought about ministering to parents of teenagers. Make sure that you communicate in every way possible with them. Parents want to know what’s going on with their kids. Parents will never be on your side until they know you, trust you with their kids, and if you let them know what is going on with their kids.

5. Identify students who really want to live for the Lord and challenge them to commit everything to God.

Here is one final idea about trying to minister to busy students. You should begin by concentrating on the students in your group who love the Lord and who really want to live for Him. Second Timothy 2:2 helps us identity students who are qualified to be true disciples. I am a firm advocate of youth ministers who are trying to invest their lives into students who (1) are faithful, especially those who are faithful in little things (“He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much” [Luke 16:10]); and (2) have the ability to lead others. That verse in 2 Timothy is very clear. True disciples are to be qualified. These are the ones who ultimately will have the ability to impact others. (More thoughts about the subject of youth discipleship are available in my book from RBP entitled, Impacting the Next Generation: A Strategy for Discipleship in Youth Ministry)

There is a tension here to be sure. As youth workers, we want to minister to everyone—to the carnal kids, the “nerds”, the “jocks,” and those who are spiritually minded. My experience tell me that those who have the inner desire to live for the Lord will be the ones who are most receptive to instruction and interaction from teachers and leaders who honest want them to go on for God. Sure, youth ministry is all about challenging the other students as well. We want to see God work in their lives, too. But, try to offer something in your ministry for those students who are living for the Lord and who want to go on for Him.

What are you doing about the problem of busy students? I am anxious to hear your thoughts on this subject as well. Post your comments below. I know that other workers will be interested in what you think. Thanks for taking the time to respond.