Somewhere along the way, our culture and youth ministries lost their passion and practice of traditions and rites of passage. In our rejection of a traditional approach and focus for worship, we may have lost something that is not only important but also effective. Traditions, as well as rites of passage, are making a comeback, especially with emerging adults. There is something safe and familiar about traditions in the midst of the chaos surrounding us. Yet the tradition has been misused in our past instead of for its true meaning and intent. This temptation is not a reason to reject things that are seen as traditions or traditional. It is not a reason to throw away rites of passage. Instead, we should reclaim traditions and rites of passage in our lives, churches and youth ministries.

Mission trips and other service projects are great programs and ministries in which we can use traditions to enhance these experiences. Youth workers can enhance mission trips, especially for youth who have been on several trips, by making traditions a part of the experience. These traditions can range from the silly to the spiritual; and while youth may not like all of them and almost always will complain about them, they make the mission experience more meaningful.

In one church early in my career, the youth complained about one tradition so much that I stopped it the following year. They complained even more without the tradition than they did with the tradition! Adding traditions to mission trips also can make the experience more meaningful for parents and families.
Some of my favorite traditions include Van Lottery where we draw names when we stop and assign seats in vans (or even on planes) based on the drawing.

Another favorite tradition is having a foot-washing service at the end of each trip where I wash the feet of all of the youth and leaders and pray for them, then have a time when they can do the same for each other. A meaningful tradition for youth, families and friends is to have families and friends of youth who are going on the trip write secret letters of encouragement to them. We then give the youth the letters halfway through the trip, and it is often a very powerful experience. Parents have enjoyed the tradition of meeting the night before we leave for a time of prayer and commissioning. We also have the youth bring their luggage that night so there are less 1 a.m. fights between them and their parents, and we are less likely to have trouble fitting everything into the vehicles.

I have enjoyed various traditions that involved the congregation in the trip, including interactive fundraisers, activities, commissioning services and presentations after the trip. I do not consider myself to be a creative person, so be sure to share your ideas for various traditions with other youth workers so we can learn well from each other. There are an unlimited number of possible traditions youth workers can use to add enjoyment and meaning to mission trips for participants, families and the congregation. Traditions have an amazing ability to enhance and build community; and youth workers should consider how, where, and when to use (and not use) traditions in their youth ministries. Youth workers can reclaim tradition and point their youth and families to a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ.