As a professor of youth ministry, I get many requests from churches for potential names. In the past three years, especially, I've noticed a growing problem: more churches are looking for youth ministers and there seems to be less available youth workers. One church listing presently has over 125 churches looking for youth ministers. Many churches spend months looking (one Indiana church has been looking for over a year, aggressively!). So here's a few questions:

1. Is the troubling trend that smaller churches feel the only answer to grow, or be relevant, is to hire a youth minister just my perception (most churches that call me are under 150), or is it, in fact, a tragic reality?

2. Does a church (large or small) really need to hire a youth minister, part-time or full-time? I'd love to hear from churches with successful youth programs and NO youth minister. What's your secret? Anything helpful for smaller congregations?

3. Since most youth ministers in restoration churches don't last a decade in the career and have a short tenure with most churches of 3 years, are there some issues we need to be addressing in their training? If so, what would those issues be?

4. And, finally, what about women? I know this is touchy. But it's tragic to have some of my finest students be excluded from jobs because of their gender. Many of these girls end up getting jobs in parachurch organizations, other denominational churches or secular positions. Some will be hired in children's ministry. I understand the "women's ministry" issue, but are we missing something here? Thoughts, comments, questions?

Rick Chromey Professor of Youth Ministry St. Louis Christian College

-- Anonymous, October 30, 1999

Answers

Hello Rick,

ISTM you are asking the wrong questions here. Of course, if the Bible is not our guide then this subject would not matter. When someone *hires* a youth minister he is simply adding to the unauthorized *staff* that has taken over the simple gatherings of the body of Christ. It is simply a way for more people to feed from the unauthorized treasury.

Until people realize God gave the Christian parents the obligation to train their own children there will always be the *adding on* to the plan God gave us.

When will it all stop? Probably when physical time shall be no more and we stand before Almighty God to give an account for the way the kingdom has been invaded by those who are not satisfied with the simple plan of God.

May God have mercy on us.

-- Anonymous, October 30, 1999

I think it depends on what State you are in. (not mentally) I could think of several youth minisers looking for a place to serve yet they would not move out of their current state. Smaller churches should be training some one within to step forward and committ to the youth, like an intern. Train that person and as the church grows, so does the responsibilities of that person. This could lead to them being a "full time" youth minister within. As far as why the stay is short or the career changes; Youth minister can be treated rough. Espesially their first year out there. They are seeing behind the curtian politics of the church many do not see. They become discouraged. And well, I'm not touching the womens issue.

-- Anonymous, October 30, 1999

I agree with Jeff that a Youth Minister needs to have thick skin. If he does what he is told to do (spend lots of time with the youth), all of his late afternoons and evenings will be taken up and yet there will be some in the church who insist he is lazy because he is not in his office in the morning. Also there will be some in the church who will object to his roudy group of kids he is bringing into the church. And he will have to take the heat about how the building is a "mess" due to his youth (even if it wasn't the doings of the youth, but rather another group that used the building). And of course, there are the financial issues. Some churches, like the one where I work, don't even give the youth minister even a small budget let alone a budget the size of the evangelism budget or the office budget, but expect him to do great things. Thus, the youth minister may have to spend time in fund raising, or "begging" and not in ministering.

There is also the issue of irresponsible youth ministers. Some of the things I have had youth ministers tell me they have done with the youth absolutely scares me [I know of youth ministers who have taken their youth out to do illegal things and even get them arrested in the process]. I also know some youth ministers who see youth ministry as a license to play golf 6 days a week. It is little wonder to me that some youth ministers don't last a life time in youth ministry.

One thing I think is amazing up here in the Portland, Or. area is that there are a lot of youth ministers up here who are in their 40's and have been doing youth ministry for 20 years or more. I think the reason is because these youth ministers are putting in the time both with youth and with the church office. They build respect with the leaders within the church and with the parents of the teens and act responsibly in every situation.

I don't believe youth ministry has to be a short time ministry. There is a couple in their 70's out here in Oregon who are still going strong, leading the youth ministry in their church.

As for the issue of the necessity of youth ministry, I can not say it is absolutely necessary. All I can say is it is definitely a tool God can and does use to further reach and strengthen the youth and their families today.

-- Anonymous, October 31, 1999

A youth minister needs to realize it takes time to get things done. You cant jump into a ministry and expect to have a budget the size you want. You will have to earn it. You can not expect everyone to jump on board to the ideas you present until you have proven yourself. This take more than the three years tenure expected. Youth minister need to realize how much damage it does to the youth of the group when he leaves for whatever reason. Another problem I see is how the YM represents himself to the students as well as the rest of the congregation. Is he going to be a minister of the church or the good buddy leader of the pack.

-- Anonymous, October 31, 1999

I would like to share what works at our church. We are a church of approx 450 people. Our youthgroup meets every Wednesday nite with an attendance of 30 to 35. We have 4 VOLUNTEER youth leaders ages - 35, 45, 48 & 49. Two are women and two are men. All but one of us starting helping because of our own kids being in youthgroup. Three of the 4 no longer have kids of our own in the group but would not leave because we love doing the work! One of the leaders is on staff as the DCE(director of Christian education) which provides her more opportunity for administrative things - however her time with the youth is volunteer and not in her job description. We have a successful program and what is it that makes it work so well? It is a combination of things: 1. Comittment and dedication of people who are called to youth ministry. This would include the 2 weeks of vacation I spend each year devoted entirely to youth activities. Also the many nights of preparation needed. Also the comittment to take time and listen to the kids 2. Development of an active program. This should include mission work - which gets the kids out of their normal environment so a life-changing impact can be made. Fun only activities are necessary as well as the more spiritual. 3. Most of all it needs to be bathed in prayer with a focus on Jesus. Youth time should be centered around "word & worship". Music is a critical part of the program.

This is not exaustive but should touch on the more important elements. A youthgroup will not function properly if the leaders are there to simply put in time - the kids can see thru that. Teen Mania and Youthworks! have helped our program tremendously.

Marty

-- Anonymous, November 10, 1999

One effective solution is for churches to train up their own ministers. It can work! There is no verse in the Bible endorsing what is our traditional way of training vocational ministers -- 4 years of school, etc.

The last church I was at before moving to NC was in the process of training a childrens' minister and youth minister. The childrens' minister was volunteer, but he has been told that he will be hired into the position fulltime as soon as the budget allows (it is a rapidly growing church, so probably next year). The youth minister is part-time, being paid for his time. The church is in an area with a number of college campuses where the church hopes to have a minister per campus, and the church is in the process of training current students for ministry, with the thought that some of these will be offered jobs in the future as campus ministers.

The church that we spun off of did something similar. About half of its hires were from outside the church, the other were hired from among members who had proven themselves (this is out of a staff of 12 or so).

So some of these smaller churches could hire one of their own, and perhaps help equip them by either finding a Christian college with distance ed programs or simply letting them "apprentice" under another church's youth minister.

-- Anonymous, November 15, 1999

Regarding Nelta's concerns over unauthorized hiring of youth ministers, etc: This is a question that more youth ministers than you probably realize have struggled with. As a youth minister and home schooling dad myself, I believe parents do realize their responsiblity to educate and raise their children in the Lord. Some choose to delegate areas of that training (to public, private schools) and unfortunately some delegate much of their faith training to "professionals" such as myself. In the churches I have served, I have made it clear upfront that I am not their children's primary minister or pastor (shepherd) but am here to assist them as Christian parents in their God-given privelege. When a youth minister is called to work with a church, he is ordained not only to minister to the Christian youth already in the church, but to assist them in their witness and evangelism of their lost friends. Church leadership expect that he will provide some opportunity for outreach to those who are not yet Christians. Parents expect that he will assist in their spiritual growth and model Christ to those who have to Christian example in their home. The Bible authorizes pay for elders who teach and preach. It is not a great stretch to find justification to pay those who teach and preach to young people. If we are to deny to the church (members of the body of Christ) every position, tradition, method, and structure not explicitly found in scripture to communicate the gospel, you would not be reading this post. Parents do need to realize that the youth minister is there because he has a heart to work full time with teens/children, not to usurp their responsibility or authority but to help. I have yet to see a parent decline such help. Children are raised to be godly by the witness of the extended church family as well as the nuclear unit. Some in that family may be paid youth workers, some volunteer, some not involved with the youth at all, merely teaching by their consistent presence in the back pew, but if we are to care about the future generation of Christians we need every avenue of help available.

-- Anonymous, November 27, 1999

The Youth Minister issue has been a long and tedious situation for 2- 3 decades. We say we have many openings for Youth Ministers, yet, we do not want too many of those who have graduated from our colleges. Many things have surfaced as prime considerations: 1. We want experience, yet we pay poorly. 2. We want maturity, yet we undermine and ridicule young, men who are trying to figure out what they are to do (Often with no help or

-- Anonymous, November 27, 1999

(Continued) job description.) 3. We try to make them a "Jack of all trades," but "Master of none." 4. We have gotten away from what Youth Minister were intended to be for, as established in the 1960s: (a) Extension and affirmation of parental teaching at home; and, (b) Co-ordinators of the youth program with sponsor help...Not the "guy in charge" of all Youth functions who is always expected to be there at every event. ON THE OTHER HAND, Youth Ministers seem to expect more for less. There are still some good ones coming out of our churches to the seminaries today, but they are seemingly fewer and fewer in numbers. The home is not stable and consistent in showing and encouraging young men for "the call." Also, the church is so busy with programs to compete with other "program-oriented churches," that we are failing to mentor these young minds in the depths of the "word." We are getting busier and busier with our own little kingdoms and being certain we have the best show in town that we fail to put the word and Spiritual growth first. We are allowing ourselves to compete for numbers so much we are ignoring maturity. We must make numerical growth, and maturity in faith, partners. These young men must see this happening so they mimmick it. We also ignore the obligation to re-direct some who seem not to have a call to ministry as much as they have a desire. We are not helping young men who do not have a calling when we wish them well and just send them on their way with a prayer. Here are a few closing thoughts for young men who desire to be youth ministers: 1. Place relationships, prayer, the Word, and strong teaching ahead of your own popularity or clowning around! 2. Be certain to keep a personal devotional life! 3. Love people! 4. Stop whining about what you can't have or what money is not available to you. Be responsible with the trusts given you! 5. Stay put, labor in love, and encourage the youth given to you by God! 1-3 year ministries often say more about you than the excuses you give the next church when you move again. 6. Get organized and stay neat in appearance. (Including your office.) 7. Do Not allow yourself to indulge in malicious talk, slander, jealousy, etc. of your Senior Minister or Elders!!! This is NOT of God.

-- Anonymous, November 27, 1999

All the brothers (and sister) so far have said very good things. The only comments I can add on this are these:

1. I just wonder if the "short time period" people spend as youth ministers is because it is often a "stepping stone" toward a pastorate, and not viewed as a "legitimate" form of service?

2. I think what is really discouraging is the very very frequent pairing of youth with another ministry, such as music or education. "Youth/Music" or "Youth/Education" ads are frequently seen. Being a former "Youth/Music" minister myself, I can tell you that instead of getting more bang for the church's buck, the church gets a frustrated person, and two poorly led programs. Youth ministry is a full time endeavor to be properly effective. There should be no other responsibilities.

-- Anonymous, December 03, 1999

Being a women in full time youth Ministry, I will tell you that it is not easy. Elders meetings are difficult, earning respect is difficult and feeling inferior to other male youth ministers near you is also difficult. However, trusting God, prayer and loving people have no alternatives. I have been with the church that I am at for about 3 years ( part-time and now full-time. I have earned trust and respect and although the investment has been slow in coming, the pay off has been worth it. The elders see me as a daughter and treat me with love and respect. They protect me from those that feel I shoul d not be in the positin that I am in. The church that God has brought me to has been a wonderful learning experience and I that God for it. I am not quite sure why church are afraid to hire women. I am not a women liber. I love the Lord and feel called to this ministry. God will provide place of ministry for me. I never want to be the senior minister, or the on leading the church. I never want to preach. But I am not shy about sharing God's word with his people. I am not shy about tell the truth to those that need it. I think that churchs are missing out on a wellspring of faithful, available, and teachable ministers because of gender. I am just as quailfied to love a teen to Jesus as anyone else is. It is my love for God and my desire to serve him that matter.

-- Anonymous, January 11, 2001

I'm a youth, and my church is looking for our first Youth Pastor. My church is a smaller church, of about 100 pretty regularly attending on Sunday Mornings. We have four volunteers who lead it on Wed. nights, and another person who teaches Sunday School. My church does not have people who want to work with the youth, because alot of them are inner-city types of kids, who don't have the best home life. The leaders on Wed. nights are very unorganized, and we don't have lessons. Since no one in my church is willing to step up and take on the challenge, we are looking for a youth pastor. We have about 12 Sr. High Youth that come on a regular basis on Wed. nights, and I am the only one who has grown up in a Christian Home. Everyone else who comes, they think of going to church as more of a social time, which it should be, but they don't want to have a lesson at all. Some people in my church have tried to do the Youth Group, and they have lessons, but I'm pretty much the only person who enjoys it, since I want to learn and grow. What would you say to someone like me, in a church like mine?

-- Anonymous, November 15, 2001