Longevity In YTH Ministry | 5 Reasons YTH Leaders Leave YTH Ministry
Next week we will talk about reasons YTH leaders stay in YTH ministry. But, this week, let’s look at 5 reasons why YTH leaders leave YTH ministry. There are many more, but, here is a great start.
Let me say at the outset that a YTH leader does not phase-out of YTH ministry simply because of age. Age is not a deterrent in YTH leadership. If anything, it is a requirement and one of the great qualities that make a healthy YTH leader.
As we talked about last week, longevity has been an issue in YTH ministry. One recent study shows YTH ministry longevity going up from an average stay of a YTH Pastor of 18 months in one place before moving to the next church, to now 3.5 years at one church. (ythology) In another study, the average career of a YTH Pastor was 7.5-9 years. But, interesting in that study was a finding that is really important to state. The older a YTH Pastor is, the longer the stay at one church. YTH Pastors who were 35 and older stayed up to 6 years in one place!
A telling figure of the importance of maturity and experience. This is encouraging. But, it is still not healthy enough. Again, next week we will share some more encouraging reasons YTH leaders stay in YTH ministry longer.
5 Reasons YTH Leaders Leave YTH Ministry
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 leader 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.
Here is a quick practical way to increase problem-solving: 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.
What you will find is that there are always more solutions than 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?”
One of the things I do to stay current, about every 2-3 years, is to just simply reinvent myself at every stage of ministry. It takes effort, but, I simply discover or rediscover 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 and relationship 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 purpose 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. The circle you run in is your strength, joy, and vitality.
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”. And. “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
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.