Champions User Guide

Best Practices

Ideas and Best Practices from Youth Ministry Leaders

Incorporate a link to www.lutherancolleges.org from your congregation website.

Host a college fair in your congregation and work with area congregations to bring youth together for a regional college fair event.

Enlist members of congregation to assist/volunteer with coordinating a “Lutheran College Sunday” to lift up Lutheran colleges and enhance awareness among members of congregation. Invite Lutheran college alumni to wear attire with their college/university logo reflected on the clothing.

Create a billboard and display college brochures/materials in the youth area.  Request pennants from colleges/universities to display in youth room.

Organize bus trip/tour of area Lutheran colleges/universities.

Consider taking confirmation group to a Lutheran college for retreat.

Host a financial aid night at your congregation and invite Thrivent Financial for Lutherans to participate.

Host a college planning/college search process session and include parents of youth.  Perhaps invite a Lutheran college admissions representative to assist with the workshop.

Establish a scholarship fund for those students planning to attend a Lutheran college/university.

Invite former members of the youth group who are currently at a Lutheran college to come back and speak about their experiences during Sunday worship.

Invite Lutheran college music ensemble (brass, woodwind, string quintet/quartet, choir or other instrumental ensemble to perform at your congregation.

Collect lutherancolleges.org materials and distribute to all college bound families.

Distribute application fee waivers (provided by lutherancolleges.org) to college bound families.

Bring youth group to a church-wide youth gathering and encourage them to visit the college/university section of the interaction center. 
Invite lutherancolleges.org or an area Lutheran college admissions professional to attend a regional youth gathering event and conduct a workshop on the value of a Lutheran college experience.

Coordinate a college planning/financial aid session for Sunday school adult forum to reach out to parents.