How to Start a Christian Club at Your High School

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: If you are surrounded by great Christian friends

   Pray for the right sponsors, the right location, the right time of day to have your meeting, and the students that will be coming.
2. 2

   Step 2: create a leadership team and meet with them regularly.

   Let them catch your vision for the great things that God can do at your high school.
   
   Pray regularly with them. ,, Consider athletics, other clubs, study halls, etc. ,, Think of small gyms, large classrooms, unused classrooms, meeting rooms, etc. , Having research done before your meeting with your principal is imperative to show you are prepared. ,, Short, informative, and memorable are best. ,, Will there be worship, a speaker, prayer groups, Bible Study, or a combination of a few? ,,, If you feel led, share your heart with him about why you feel called to start a club like this on your high school campus. ,,, (Carefully consider this though, as a teacher sponsor is often a great resource, although there are many benefits to being student-run as well). , At many high schools, rules for before-school clubs are much more lenient than during school.
   
   Keep this in mind as you decide when to meet. ,, Optimally, this teacher would be a strong believer who is excited and wants to help all they can. ,,, Let him know two weeks in advance. , Overall, create a great excitement and anticipation for this new club! ,, Work through any scheduling problems, miscommunications, and begin planning your next meeting. ,, There may be weeks the attendance is very low, or a speaker doesn’t show up, or a room is double-booked…stay flexible, positive, and always have a back-up small-group study with you just in case!
3. 3

   Step 3: If you aren’t surrounded by great Christian friends

4. 4

   Step 4: don’t let that stop you

5. 5

   Step 5: but find an encourager

6. 6

   Step 6: whether it’s your parents or your youth pastor.

7. 7

   Step 7: Decide when the best time of day to meet would be.

8. 8

   Step 8: Talk to students to see when the most students could come.

9. 9

   Step 9: Search the school for great locations and ensure they aren’t being used at the time of day you need them.

10. 10

    Step 10: Create a list of three or four places you would like to meet.

11. 11

    Step 11: Talk to teachers to see who might be interested in possibly sponsoring your group.

12. 12

    Step 12: Create a name for the club.

13. 13

    Step 13: Continue to pray with your encourager and/or leadership team.

14. 14

    Step 14: Talk with your leadership team about the format of the club.

15. 15

    Step 15: Type a proposal of sorts

16. 16

    Step 16: with all the information you have collected from talking to students

17. 17

    Step 17: teachers

18. 18

    Step 18: and researching rooms and times.

19. 19

    Step 19: Schedule an appointment with your principal.

20. 20

    Step 20: Give him a copy of your notes as you share with him.

21. 21

    Step 21: Learn from him the protocol of starting a club specific to your high school.

22. 22

    Step 22: Ask him for recommendations on which teacher or teachers might sponsor your club.

23. 23

    Step 23: Ask him if a teacher sponsor is required

24. 24

    Step 24: or if the group could be completely student-run.

25. 25

    Step 25: Come to an agreement on which room to use

26. 26

    Step 26: which time to meet

27. 27

    Step 27: and follow all protocol he asks you to.

28. 28

    Step 28: Meet with your leadership team to discuss all your principal told you.

29. 29

    Step 29: Confirm teacher sponsors and meet with them

30. 30

    Step 30: sharing your heart with them regarding this club.

31. 31

    Step 31: Pick a kick-off club date.

32. 32

    Step 32: Make flyers and posters

33. 33

    Step 33: and with your teacher or principal’s permission

34. 34

    Step 34: post them around the school.

35. 35

    Step 35: Decide if you’d like to book a youth pastor to speak and/or lead worship for the first club.

36. 36

    Step 36: Put an announcement in your school newspaper or television news.

37. 37

    Step 37: Have your first club meeting!

38. 38

    Step 38: Get leadership team feedback.

39. 39

    Step 39: Continue praying and planning

40. 40

    Step 40: giving all you do to the Lord for His glory.

41. 41

    Step 41: Don’t get discouraged!

Detailed Guide

About the Author