I want to challenge you to become an advocate for church events that are either free or pretty inexpensive. Not everything in youth ministry needs to cost money and drain the family bank account.

Here are some simple ideas to get you thinking:

• Cook dinner in your home instead of eating out. Restaurants can be expensive and often separate teenagers into the haves and have-nots.

• Do a service project instead of doing something more expensive (for instance, a concert or an amusement park). Take your students to serve in a retirement home or at a local shelter. A service project is a free activity, and serving together often creates stronger memories than doing an entertainment activity.

• Host a movie night at someone’s house instead of paying to see a movie at the theater. Rent a couple of movies, make popcorn, grab sodas and candy, and hang out in an inexpensive and comfortable environment.

• Schedule your church events between meals. For example, have students eat lunch before they arrive at an event, and then return home before dinner. is will save the family money for two meals.

• Schedule outings that are free. For example, try sports day at the local park, game night, a hike, or a swim at someone’s house.

• Talk to others on your volunteer team or in your congregation who have connections. You might know people who can get discounts through a job or hobby. ey can help you do what you wouldn’t normally be able to afford.

• Look for places that offer a student discount, such as a school play or sporting event.

The reality is that many families struggle to pay bills. Even in affluent churches, where people give the impression of having plenty of resources, some families are deeply in debt. When youth ministry events require money, either students get left out or families make sacrifices to pay the price.

I’m not suggesting that everything in your youth ministry is free, but as you and your youth ministry become money-conscious, you’ll definitely serve families.