The Value of a Healthy Youth Leader

The Value of a Healthy YTH Leader

We are looking at the value of a healthy youth leader. What are the most important characteristic traits of a healthy youth leader?

I believe there are important traits that make up a healthy youth leader. Over the past few weeks we have listened to youth leaders share their ideas and now this week we are going to hear from students. Listening to the students in our youth ministry can be a tipping point in our work.

Healthy youth leaders build healthy youth ministries that build healthy students who ultimately build healthy societies!

For this blog, we asked four teenagers what the most important characteristics are for a healthy youth leader. Here are their thoughts.

Humility

The most important quality is a humble youth leader. One who is willing to admit that they are wrong and who is still able to learn from students.

It takes humility as a leader to learn from somebody younger than you. But I believe there’s such great value in learning from the backgrounds, the stories, and the experiences of another person. No matter how young or old they are

i’ve been in youth ministry for almost 40 years and I’m still learning from teenagers.

Integrity

Who are you behind closed doors? It’s easy to project a persona or a reputation publicly, but, who are you when nobody is looking?

Are you only ‘on’ in a large group? What about the times when you are in a smaller group? Students want to see us following God closely and having integrity every where we go. Not just in the youth setting at church.

What are you like at home or when you are not at the church? These are the important kind of things students are looking for. Integrity and consistency.

We need to develop youth leaders who do not simply love the platform, but, they love the people!

Passion

Students want a youth leader who is passionate about God and passionate about youth.

I believe the more time you spend with teenagers the longer you will be in youth ministry.

Our discussion this week is really simple. Healthy leaders have learned to love the people and not just the ministry.

I’ve heard so many students talk about how it’s easier to receive from a youth pastor who is passionate about their work. Students need to know that we love what we do. Teenagers are very perceptive and discerning - they can sense the frustration and they can sense the distance.

Passion can be seen in a youth leader by our love and commitment to being with teenagers, by how well organized we are in our work, and our emotional connection with people.

Genuineness

It is easier to listen to somebody who is loving and shows that they care about you. President Theodore Roosevelt once said, “People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care.”

Students are looking for leaders who are genuine and not trying to put on a show. Students really don’t care about how many followers you have, how many people comment on your post, or whether you portray the right social media image.

Finally

Listening to teenagers is an education to me. I learn so much when I sit back and have conversations with them. I have caught myself listening to teenagers and doing a self check in my life and ministry from the things they say.

Here are some great traits that each of us as youth leaders must take seriously. If we are going to see healthy youth ministry, we need healthy youth leaders.

Healthy youth leaders build healthy youth ministries that build healthy students who ultimately build healthy societies!