Kids would come up to me, not knowing I was the youth pastor, too, and ask when I was going to play Snoop Doggy Dogg, Marilyn Manson, and Limp Bizkit. Hey, this is underground music, stuff you'll never hear on the radio or anywhere else. That approach always keeps them coming back. What's more, I found my youth group kids really took off and made this thing their own. The adults get into the fun, too, selling soda, candy, chips, and jumbo pickles.
College students serve as DJs and hospitality coordinators.
I used to believe that youth pastors are the primary agents for all outreach and evangelism to teens. In those days, I had double duty. Not only did I have to create an environment where non-Christians would feel welcome, but I also had to hit the lunchrooms every day. But for me, there was so much pressure. It was too much.