Motivation is created when a young person has a reason to want to do something.

Do you work with bored, restless or indifferent young adolescents? You might be missing the key ingredient here. Recently a group of congregational youth coordinators and catechists met to discuss ways to improve their junior-high programs. They started their discussion by listing concerns and frustrations each was experiencing. Some of the issues raised dealt with youth, while others centered on programming. Here is a sampling of their frustration:

"They don't pay attention, they don't seem to care at all."

"We planned a special program just for them, but the kids didn't show up."

"They say they are going to do something, but they rarely follow-through. They are not very committed."

"My group is just plain bored."

Several others in the group had very different experiences. They spoke of exciting, successful programs with young adolescents. These young people were their favorite ones to teach and spend time with.

"They have so much energy and they are so much fun to be with.""

My youth show a lot o f interest as long as I give them a chance to be creative."

It became clear that the primary difference in the experience of the two groups was not the kind of programs they had; nor was it a question of the quality of the leaders. The real distinction was how well motivated the youth were.

Motivation is created when a young person has a reason to want to do something. If that reason or motivation comes from within the person, then it is most likely to prompt action. Ideas, needs and emotions can all be internal motives. If we wish to motivate young people, then we need to start with them. Their ideas and opinions must be integrated into our programs. When programs respond to their needs we are able to build in personal motivation. Greater involvement and a positive attitude follow.

We have trouble motivating youth when we try to get them to do something we want by exercising our power. Typical power statements begin with: "if you don't" or "Because I said so." This approach uses an external force for motivation. The result is apathy or outright rejection of the adult leader, the program or the institution.

We need to carefully examine how it is we attempt to motivate the youth we serve. There are several important concepts that provide some direction.

Ownership

Programs should be planned with and not just for youth. If youth have some ownership of the congregation's program, they are more likely to attend, actively participate, and enjoy it. Ownership is built through consultation. Leaders must listen to the needs of youth before designing programs. Written surveys, personal interviews, and observation are all methods of gathering information about young adolescents. In order for ownership to be built, however, it is important that youth know they are being listened to. It is not enough to simply give out a survey. They need to see how their input is being used.

Program planning provides young adolescents with a great deal of motivation. They like to plan programs that allow them to accomplish something and to see the results of their work. They learn about responsibility and build a sense of confidence. Even in more structured programs, ones with a predetermined content, young people can be involved in decisions about everything from time schedules to furniture arrangements and the type of refreshments to be served.

Collaboration, Not Competition

While some young adolescents may be motivated by competitive activities, for example, sports and contests, many others are not. The great diversity in the physical, social and emotional development of 10-15-year-olds leads to a great deal of confusion and self-doubt. Many competitive activities provide early developers with unfair advantages and may punish late developers. Competition emphasizes comparison and winning, yet young adolescents need to feel accepted, valuable and included.

Junior-high programs that provide opportunities for youth to collaborate with each other and with adults receive an enthusiastic response. Group projects, non-competitive sports, discussion groups, and family and intergenerational programs are all successful with young adolescents. When youth link together to complete a task, they grow in appreciation of their own giftedness, as well as acknowledge the gifts of others: Motivation will come from experiencing themselves as a valuable participant in the group.

Peer Relationships

While the peer group obviously plays an important role in motivating young people, it is not necessarily a negative influence. Junior-high youth are often very self-conscious and therefore want to "be like everyone else" in order to be accepted. The task for adult leaders is to channel that group influence towards positive actions.

All young adolescent ministries programs need to build healthy peer relationships. These relationships can become a primary motivation for ongoing involvement in the church. Programs should enable young people to learn from each other. Worship events, planned and led by young people, will allow them to share and celebrate their faith together. Service programs are prime opportunities for youth to collaborate in helping others. Social events can build bonds of support as youth recreate together. Most importantly, the church must provide an environment that warmly welcomes the youth as full members of the community.

Adult Encouragement

Young adolescents look to adults whom they like and respect as models for their behavior and attitudes. In addition, young people are more likely to be actively involved in a program and follow through on commitments when they know adults they care about expect this of them. Personal encouragement from a caring mentor can be a powerful motivator for youth who are unsure of themselves.

Youth programs therefore need adults who are willing to spend their time building supportive relationships with young adolescents. When adult youth relationships are well established and based on mutual respect, there will be little need to motivate through threats or warnings. Adult affirmation and encouragement will lead to positive responses from the youth.