Small Town YM: Graduation

Graduation

Small Town vs. Non-small Town

Same:
1. Its a BIG deal.
2. There are awards given out.
3. The valedictorian and salutatorian are announced.
4. The valedictorian gives a speech (usually really short).
5. It is crowded (and no a/c).
6. Family come a long way to be a part of this special day.
7. Graduates wear a cap & gown.

Different:
1. The graduating class is smaller.
2. A lot of the community attends who don't have a child graduating.
3. Some of those people are somehow related to a graduate.
4. As a youth minister, most people notice if I'm there or not.
5. Area pastors are fairly involved from the stage (message, prayer).
6. They have 8th grade graduation, too. Complete with caps, gowns, "certificates", and valedictorian speech.
7. I didn't hear of any graduation party.
8. There is only one high school in our county, so only one graduation.

Neutral/Specific to this church:
1. They had 7 (yep 7) salutatorians this year. (Thankfully they didn't all get to give a speech)
2. They personalize their caps. Some put picture collages on them. Others have their caps airbrushed with a team logo, sport or their name.


Graduation is such a special time for the students (probably moreso for the parents) that we need to show our support. For some of the students this is the last amount of education they will be getting. Others are about to begin a long college career. Every year, there are seniors who graduate that we hate to see leave the youth ministry and others we "celebrate" their moving on. As a youth minister, you must not show favortism toward some graduates and neglect the others.

One of the things we do to celebrate is our senior banquet. This is a night to celebrate and honor our seniors and their families. This year we added a DVD to their gifts (the DVD had the 13 min. picture slideshow we showed at the banquet and the slideshow we showed on Sunday morning) to help them remember the night. I think it is important to encourage students in various life stage transitions (such as going into high school and graduating). The longer you are in ministry at a church, the harder each year will get to say goodbye to the students.

Being in a small town is an advantage during graduation season. Take advantage of the community support and involvement. Use the graduation season to let the community know more about your church by being involved and "noticeable" in the area.

Remember to take the time to "be there" for the seniors during graduation season.