Ten things every Youth Pastor Needs
*These are in no particular order, and do not reflect the “Top Ten”
things every youth pastor needs. There are many things that could have been on the list, and probably should be on the list, but for now this is the list.*
1. A Great Wife
Can I say anything that would add to this…
2. A sense of Humor
If you can’t laugh at teenagers then you are missing out on half the fun of being a youth pastor.
3. Bluntness (kids don’t get subtlety)
Maybe this is the hardest part. Part of it is that kids don’t get subtlety, but I think that most of it is that they want you to be straight forward with them. “Don’t beat around the bush, just tell me what you think.”
4. A love for the students
If you don’t love ‘em; worry about ‘em; pray for ‘em; and long to see ‘em grow
I don’t know how you can make a difference in their lives.
5. Discernment (with something off just enough in the discernment category to allow you to do crazy things)
Students always want to do crazy things. You have to decide very quickly what is just good fun, and what is inappropriate.
6. A tight budget at home
Money is usually short, but you shouldn’t care (sometimes that is hard).
7. Leadership help
You need help. You can’t be totally involved in every kid’s life, this is where your leaders come in (see also #1 for the best leadership help available).
8. Supportive and involved Church leadership
Youth ministry is just another part of the Church ministry as a whole. You have to have the support of the Elders (or insert your church polity here). Your elders must be involved and know what you are doing. It is their job to lead you, and it is your job to let them.
9. Fellowship
You can’t do it alone. You are going to loose a lot of fellowship opportunities ministering to the youth. You have to seek it out (see #1 for best fellowship available).
10. A love for God’s word, and a willingness to sacrifice "game time" for teaching time
If the Bible is not the center of your ministry I am not sure what kind of impact you can make.
posted by Paul at 8:15 AM
4 Comments:
Great list! However, I'd probably make something like, "A deep and intimate walk with the Lord" as the #1 item on the list, as I'm sure you'd agree. Being a man of God who saturates himself, his family, and the ministry in prayer goes further than anything else we can do to make ministry a "success." It's all God's work anyway. :-)
You're exactly right. This is by no means a "top ten." If you want a top ten you can follow the link to Letterman.
It is God's Work, I am so thankful that he has allowed me to be a part of it, and I do not want to miss any opportunity to be used.
Thanks for your comment, it is nice to know that people are reading.
Ten Blessings Bestowed on the Youth Pastor
1- Great Wife - We all give thanks for her
2- Sense of Humor - especially handy when the teenagers laugh at the Youth Pastor
3- Bluntness - when done in His love, the blessings are multiplied
4- A love for students - through God's grace
5- Discernment - stand firm, as they grow in the Lord they will bless you with their own
6- Tight budget - so is theirs, makes for a greater appreciation of things done as a group
7- Leadership help - blessed are those who help Youth Pastors that lead in Christ
8- Supportive, involved Church leaders - blessed is the Youth Pastor who humbly and wisely heeds the counsel of men who love the Lord
9- Fellowship - one body, one faith, one fellowship
10- A love for God's Word -
But the goal of our instruction is to love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith (1 Timothy 1:5) -
What a blessing to have received the gift of teaching!
Yeah, try to keep up with youth ministry blogs through www.technorati.com and yours popped up. Thanks for your post!
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