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Student Interviews of Churches that are Using Peer Ministry

#29 Interview JAN, 2000
American Lutheran Church, Huron, SD
Interview with Dennis Paulson, Director of Program Ministry
By: Karen Schmidt

Rural, agricultural community
1400 baptized members
2 pastors
Youth-- approx. 50 high school and 50 middle school

Peer Ministry Description

How many trained adult facilitators work with Peer Ministry?

There is 1 trained adult facilitator - Dennis.

How many youth are trained (or being trained) in Peer Ministry?

There are 12 youth and 1 adult currently in training.

How long has your church been involved in Peer Ministry?

This is the first year of involvement in Peer Ministry.

How are Peer Ministers identified and encouraged to participate?

Two or three kids from each class are asked to participate based upon interest and involvement in church. Twelve out of a list of twenty signed a covenant after a meeting with the parents and kids.

Where and at what time of day did your training take place?

They have Sunday evening meetings for 1 1/2 hours at the church, as well as attempting to schedule a retreat for some weekend.

After the initial training how often do the Peer Ministers meet?

They hope to finish by Lent, as Dennis is planning a Lenten mentoring service that coincides with the Wednesday evening services during Lent.

What is the overall goal for Peer Ministry?

Leadership training, hoping for youth to identify and connect with those who need the connection... to WHEAT and MEET.

Ministry Uses

What are some of the ways that Peer Ministers have used their training?

Earlier in the training, each one of the kids were given 3 names of adults in the congregation who have no children in middle or high school currently they were then told to visit the adults and WHEAT them and invite them to a chili dinner. Dennis told me that 90% of the people that came were direct results of the kids' invitations.

How has Peer Ministry effected the youth program?

As the group began they were a very quiet group and they are beginning to gain a trust and charisma as a group.

What words of wisdom would you offer others considering a Peer Ministry program?

• Be wary of 8th and 9th graders, they are a tough bunch to get through to, based on maturity level.
• Training seniors, they are graduating soon after training.
• 10th and 11th graders are best bet to work with, when just starting the program.
• Sessions-- maybe add some varied exercises of your own.
• Kids who really get into it are the ones who have been there-- the kids who know what it is like to need that connection and feel like not exactly part of the group!some that may not appear very "popular" may have a lot to offer in a peer ministry facility.