Youth Ministry Longevity
I recently read a blog post on http://www.youthmin.org about young youth pastors and lack of long range planning. I appreciate his honesty about his struggle and sharing from that point of view. He shares in the post that during his six years as a youth pastor he has served in four different churches.
My experience in youth ministry has been the opposite of his. I have been involved in youth ministry for more than 14 years, at the same church for over 10 years and I have no plans of leaving anytime soon. I have had people ask me many times what has contributed to my longevity, and I have narrowed it down to a few things.
1. Long Range Planning
I realize that ministry is slow. Would I like faster results? A thousand times yes! But I also realize this is not a realistic expectation. I am committed for the long haul, and my long range planning communicates this fact to the students and families I work with. I literally have a two year calendar on the wall in my office, and already have dates filled in for 2013. 
I know some people have been frustrated with me because I don’t institute changes quickly, but also believe I have avoided some major mistakes because of that fact.
2. Ministry mentors with longevity
I have been blessed in my life to learn from some very amazing youth workers, and most of them make my longevity look short. One of my closest friends and ministry heroes has been at his church twice as long as me. He has seen many seasons of ministry come and go through his youth ministry and church. As I have made it through a few season changes myself I am thankful for his and many other’s examples of sticking it out for the long haul.
3. I still have a lot to learn about youth ministry
As I reflect on my ministry mentors and how much they have taught me, I also realize I have a ton more to learn. Whether it is from someone that has just started or counts their time in decades we all something of value to bring to the table. I value conferences, youth networks, blogs, books, and everything else I can tap into to keep learning.
4. I don’t view youth ministry as stepping stone
Chapter 7 in my new book is all about this fact, so I hope you will get your copy and read it for yourself. This mentality affects everything you do as a youth worker, and I hope you don’t see your youth ministry position as a stepping stone to a real job in the church.
I don’t know where you are on the longevity spectrum, but I would love to hear what has contributed to your timeline as a youth worker. What has prompted you to change churches or move on from youth ministry? What has kept you pressing forward at the same church?
Posted on September 25, 2012, in Youth Ministry and tagged blogging, life lessons, longevity, mentors in youth ministry, young youth workers, youthmin.org. Bookmark the permalink. 8 Comments.
10 years in the same place, thats amazing man. Way to break the stereotype of youth pastors. Such a great thing to see, I love it. Thats what drew me to where I am at now, longevity. Praying for 10 more years my friend.
Thanks Justin, a few of my ministry mentors I mentioned are connected with where you are at now, so I completely understand what you mean. Thanks for your prayers, I will return the favor!
Good thoughts Brian. I’m in my 27th year of youth ministry, here are some additional factors I think contribute:
1. Stability in the Sr. Pastorate
2. Pay & benefits commiserate with experience similar to other professions as you age.
3. The siren song of Church planting.
4. A church that recognizes that paying a ym veteran 15k more than a rookie is well worth the money.
Thanks for sharing Mark, and I agree those are all factors as well. What exactly do you mean by “the siren song of Church planting”?
A think there is a whole generation of youth guys that have been seduced away from our ranks by the church planting movement. Not that some of them weren’t called to it, but I think church planting plays into our narcissistic blogging culture and some of our best have left youth ministry prematurely because they want to be the next Rob Bell, Mark Driscoll or Francis Chan. When really what happens is that they crash and burn a brutal death, never to return to ministry, and sadly with some, the Faith entirely.
I completely see what you mean. That has definitely become part of the youth ministry paradigm we have created within the church. That is right down the line of what my new book is about, have you seen it?
Hey Brian,
I know that this is a long time coming but I thought that I would weigh in on what has kept me in the same church since 2009 and what me desire to return to the church in a full time role after graduating college. God has given me a heart to serve the church and my pastor. He has also given the desire to see every aspect of the church succeed not just the ym.
Thanks for chiming in Randy. I think being vested in the entire church, not just the YM is a huge key to longevity for sure. I love seeing the YM community embracing this idea more and more, very cool.