Inclusive Youth Ministry: Gut Checklist

Thanks to Deborah Jodrey at Illustrated Ministry for writing up this fantastic planning checklist for building Inclusive Youth Ministry: Planning with Marginalized Youth in Mind (Illustrated Ministry blog; 06.08.26)

Deborah writes, ‘Now is the time to ask, “Do these plans consider marginalized youth?”

She begins her post with an exploration of ‘Who Are “Marginalized Youth?”‘, offering a history of the term ‘marginalized’ and its current applications.

Then she wonders, ‘Why Is It Important to Plan with Marginalized Youth in Mind?’

She emphasizes: ‘Who youth directors have in mind when planning impacts who actually gets to participate.’

She concludes this response: ‘Prioritizing marginalized youth is not about adding something extra; it is about designing activities and programs so that all young people can show up fully as themselves, feel valued, and participate meaningfully. When centering marginalized youth in planning, programs become more inclusive, more creative, and more fun! The entire community grows stronger.’

In short: the more intentional youth directors are in planning with marginalized youth in mind, the more welcome and engaged every young person will feel.

She then outlines her checklist:

  • Ensure Safety
    • Prioritize safety before fun.
  • Consider All Cultures
    • Don’t assume one ‘normal’ culture.
  • Prioritize Accessibility
    • Build in access not ‘special acceptions’.
  • Be Aware of Your Own Bias
    • Watch who gets seen, heard, and chosen publicly.
  • Equity, Not Just Equality
    • Pay attention to what different people need to participate fully.

Jodrey writes: ‘Create a ‘gut check’ list before each event and program. Reflecting slows us down just enough to ask better questions and to create more inclusive opportunities for all our youth.’

Her Gut Checklist includes:

  • Who might feel unsafe here?
  • Who might feel left out?
  • Who might feel exhausted?
  • Who might feel invisible?
  • Who might need extra support?
  • Who might need financial assistance?

‘Use this list before your next gathering, event, or retreat.’

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Build community with Youth Ministry leaders committed to developing more inclusive ministries at this year’s ConNext Summit: Beyond Belonging: Branch Out – Bring In – Build Together, where rapper and Roof Cutters creator, David Scherer (AGAPE*) will lead three plenaries, Alsa Bruno will lead music and worship, a panel of peers will share their diverse uses of, The Book of Belonging, and workshops will be led by regional peers already developing ministries of fuller inclusion and belonging. Find details and the registration link here.