Creating a Youth Culture That Uplifts Without Excluding

You can have the perfect calendar of LDS youth activities… and still have someone go home feeling like they didn’t belong.

Culture isn’t what you plan. It’s what people feel.

A quorum or class culture either uplifts—or it excludes. And for many youth, what determines whether they stay, engage, and grow spiritually has less to do with the gospel principles taught and more to do with how they were treated at the ping pong table or on the hike.

So how do we create a gospel-centered youth culture that actively includes, rather than unintentionally shuts people out?

Let’s talk about intentional, Spirit-driven inclusion.

The Two Cultures in Every Group

There’s always the planned program—the activities, the lessons, the service projects.

Then there’s the real culture—the eye rolls, the inside jokes, who always gets picked, and who doesn’t.

Your job as a leader isn’t just to plan events. It’s to shape culture—and often that starts in the quiet moments between the events.

Step 1: Set Culture Standards Explicitly

You might think they “already know” to be nice or welcoming. They don’t. Not in the way you assume.

Make it clear from day one:

Every person belongs here.
No jokes at someone’s expense.
We cheer for each other. We don’t compete for attention.

Create a leadership moment by inviting the youth council to come up with 3–5 group values. Post them. Reference them. Reward them in action.

Keywords: lds youth leadership ideas, communication and relationships youth, youth group leadership challenges

Step 2: Spotlight the Right Stuff

Who gets the most attention at your activities?

If it’s always the loudest, funniest, or most athletic… pause. Those aren’t bad traits—but if you only praise charisma or popularity, you unintentionally tell others, You don’t belong here.

Instead, start recognizing:

Quiet service (e.g., someone cleaning up without being asked)
Consistent effort
Moments of kindness or spiritual insight

This teaches youth leadership in church to reflect Christ’s leadership—lifting the humble, not just spotlighting the gifted.

Step 3: Mix Up the Dynamics

Don’t always let youth self-select into the same cliques. For example:

Assign service teams randomly
Rotate companions in scripture activities
Designate rotating “helpers” to lead with different partners

Yes, they’ll grumble. But they’ll also stretch—and that’s where relationships grow beyond comfort zones.

Quick Activity Idea (4–8 Min): Kindness Bingo

Create simple bingo cards with acts of inclusion:

Greet someone first
Invite someone new to join a game
Say thank you to a leader
Sit by someone different during the lesson

Hand them out at the start of Mutual. Invite youth to complete one row quietly. End the night with a quick 2-minute reflection: What did you notice when you focused on including others?

It’s Not About Everyone Being Best Friends

But it is about every youth feeling like this is a place where they’re safe, seen, and wanted.

You don’t have to get it perfect. But by raising the bar with love, youth begin to reflect the Savior more naturally—and each other more generously.

👉 Want to go deeper?
Our Forged in Faith Culture Builders Pack includes ready-made object lessons, value cards, and youth council exercises that promote healthy, Christ-centered group dynamics.

Forged In Faith