Longevity In Youth Ministry (1/2)
A YTH leader does not phase-out of YTH ministry simply because of age.
Let’s deal with a very important topic when it comes to YTH ministry. Especially a topic that is so critical at the moment.
There are so many transitions in YTH ministry right now. For many reasons we will talk about here.
Late spring and summer is a time that will often see YTH leadership in transition. On this week’s Podcast, I want to make sure that those transitions are God-led. And not other circumstances that remove quality YTH leaders from their setting.
This is not just a critical discussion for the YTH leader. But for the students and the church they may be serving at.
Sometimes external circumstances can play a major part in YTH leadership transitions. I want to make sure that YTH leaders think through a season of transition they might be in.
This is an important topic to talk about. Even if it may be difficult. Because oftentimes, a hardship or a difficult moment in YTH ministry may be a chance to make us stronger and more effective as a leader if we solve the problems that face us and stay.
I just want to be sure that leaders, who may be in transition, are being led by God and not by circumstances.
One of the main reasons I began ythology was because there are very few veterans in YTH ministry. I truly believe that YTH ministry will not survive if we continue to lose experienced and mature YTH leaders to other areas of ministry, planting churches, or even dropping out of ministry altogether.
Every week I have these discussions with YTH leaders across the country. So a major part of what I’m doing, and specifically in this week’s blog, is inspiring longevity in YTH ministry.
There are many reasons why we need longevity in YTH ministry.
It may be to provide long-term leadership development of the adult and student YTH ministry team,
or to foster trust in the parents and guardians of the students,
or to organize stable YTH events and programming to students,
or to create staged theological learning and application to students,
or to build community relationships in your area with schools and para-church organizations,
or even to leverage the personal growth of the YTH leader over time.
For a variety of reasons, we need greater longevity in YTH ministry.
Unless God directs you, there’s no reason to get out of YTH work. A YTH leader does not phase-out of YTH ministry simply because of age.
Let’s Address The Exodus In YTH Ministry
But, remember, a YTH leader does not phase-out of YTH ministry simply because of age.
(Barna, YMLink, Youth Specialties, AG ACMR)
The research is hard to find, but, what we have seen is about a 7-9 year average stay or length of career in YTH ministry. The older a YTH pastor is the longer they stay at a church (4-6 years for YTH pastors who are over 35). That’s a telling fact…
That maybe the more mature and experienced a YTH leader is... the longer they are able to stay and solve problems.
Over the past 20 years, statistics reported that it was common for YTH pastors to stay at a church about 18 months. That has changed. Most recent studies support about a 3.5 to 4 year commitment for the average YTH pastor at one church.
The reason we do not have great data is that about 78-82% of YTH ministry in the country (all denominations) is done by volunteer YTH leaders. Additionally, the research does show us that most YTH leaders are done by the age of 35.
So if the average career of a YTH leader is 7-9 years, or up to about age 35, how do we extend that? (Barna, YMLink, Youth Specialties, AG ACMR).
All of that said, what is clear, is that YTH ministry has an exodus of experienced YTH leadership. And, if we are going to increase the effectiveness of YTH ministry in the church, and address the serious theological issues in an entire generation, we must identify the problems or obstacles to longevity in YTH ministry.
And offer resolutions to those reasons why YTH leaders are exiting YTH ministry too early.
With this backdrop in mind, let’s look at the BREVITY and the LONGEVITY of YTH leadership in the church.
Next week we are going to look at 5 reasons YTH leaders stay in YTH ministry. Or, how to extend longevity!
But this week, let’s look at 5 reasons why I see YTH leaders leaving YTH ministry.
Reasons YTH Leaders Leave YTH Ministry
But, remember, a YTH leader does not phase-out of YTH ministry simply because of age.
There are more reasons than these, but, let’s look at some key reasons for a lack of longevity in YTH ministry:
1. The Loss of Spiritual Health - The loss of spiritual vitality can be a reason that all ministers leave the ministry, but, it may be the the most important reason for YTH leadership.
Because of the stress of YTH ministry, as we will talk about in the following reasons for YTH leaders leaving YTH ministry, PERSONAL spiritual health is critical to longevity.
It is much easier for a YTH leaders to address all of the problems in ministry when they are spiritually healthy. Spiritual formation - prayer, reading, fasting, worship, giving, rest, total wellness, and other spiritual disciplines increase ministry effectiveness exponentially!
2. Not Solving Problems - When YTH leaders neglect problem-solving there is an avalanche of pressure and work that builds up. Parental issues, budget issues, pastoral team issues, event-planning issues, and even personal family issues can all become like a tsunami crashing down upon us.
And when you get behind the mounting problems, it can be easy to move on to another opportunity or to simply quit. It is when we solve problems that we gain confidence and longevity. Wins create a joyful and positive atmosphere in YTH ministry.
I often ask YTH leaders to write down a list of the problems they are facing - and to then write down a list of solutions to those problems. If you cannot come up with solutions, ask someone with more experience to help you.
There are always more solutions than there are problems!
3. A Lack of Currency - As a YTH leader gets older, he or she may start to question themselves. Maybe they start asking questions like, “Am I relevant?” Or, “Can I relate to the younger generation?” Maybe they entertain the thought, “Is it time for someone younger to lead?”
We just simply have to reinvent ourselves at every stage. It takes effort, but, I simply reinvent myself every few years by looking at a certain gift that I have and working on improving or highlighting that gift for a season.
I have found that often it is not God leading a YTH pastor to leave YTH ministry, it is discouragement from a lack of currency and the inability to relate to the world of the adolescent.
But, remember, a YTH leader does not phase-out of YTH ministry simply because of age.
4. Losing Your Relationship to Students - This may seem similar to the last reason on remaining current or relevant. But, this relational ethic is completely different. What I mean by this is losing our proximity and conversation with teenagers.
When YTH leaders are not in the context or setting of teenagers, it is easy to lose the love of YTH culture, miss the personal stories that make up each student, and then we become statistical and sterile in our approach to teenagers.
Ministry is about relationship. And relationship in YTH ministry may be at a whole other level of importance when it comes to longevity in ministry. The greater our relationship with teens, and not just the systems and tasks of day-to-day YTH ministry, the greater our emotional return on the daily for our work.
We cannot forget about the story behind every teenager. And I believe relationship and proximity to teenagers and their story will light a fire of passion and hope under a tired, disorganized, or pressured YTH leader.
5. A Superman or Wonder Woman Mentality - None of us has the answers to all of the problems that will arise in YTH ministry. But, with collaboration and team-work, we can handle anything.
I truly believe that a team approach to YTH ministry creates several things that increase longevity -
1. family relationships that make the work more joyful, (everything is easier with the right circle around you),
2. delegation of responsibility that makes the work more doable,
3. and an age/race/skillset diversity on the YTH leadership team that makes the work more effective.
You’ve heard it said before, “Teamwork makes the dreamwork”. “Many hands make light work”.
When YTH leaders employ a Super-friends or a Marvel or an Avengers approach to problem-solving, involving everyone in the solution, there is nothing that cannot be solved in YTH ministry.
Superman and Wonder Woman have a weakness. But the combination of super heroes has no weakness.
Finally...Let’s finish.
Next week we will give some practical advice on how to stay spiritually healthy, solve problems, remaining current, cultivate relationships with teens, and building a team around you.
As many reasons for brevity in YTH ministry that there are, there are dozens of solutions to help increase longevity. But, remember, a YTH leader does not phase-out of YTH ministry simply because of age.
Come back next week and see how to increase your stay and effectiveness in YTH ministry.
You know where to find us…
All the socials have our linktree addresses. You can watch this on YouTube, listen to this at iTunes, or read this every week at ythology.com.
I’ll see you next week as we talk about how to increase your longevity and effectiveness in YTH ministry.