What I wish senior pastors knew about youth ministry

In the past few weeks I have had several conversations with youth pastors who are frustrated because they and their senior pastor have different philosophies of ministry. Such differences can be very difficult and sadly often end in one of the two leaving the church for another ministry (11 times out of 10 its the youth pastor). I wish churches didn't have to say good-bye to darn good youth pastors so often. Perhaps all that is needed is a little (ok a lot of) understanding. So let me offer a few suggestions for our senior pastors.

Because of the writers' strike I thought I'd give you some top 10 action. I know you're missing it.

Top 10 things I wish Senior Pastors knew about Youth Ministry:

10. Taking junior highers on a retreat or to a camp is not a vacation (if it is, why don't you and your family spend more of your vacation time at jr. high camp?)

9. Not every pastors gathering has to be at 7:00 in the morning. God is just as alive and active at 7:00 in the evening.

8. I know that you like wearing button-up shirts, dress-pants, and dress shoes every day, but shorts, t-shirts, and flip-flops seem to suit me just fine (and if you want theological backing, I'm sure Jesus wore sandals).

7. An effective youth pastor doesn't just sit in an office. She goes where young people are: the mall, schools, Taco Bell and meets them on their own turf.

6. Judging a ministry on numbers alone only tells us how many people show up to our thing. It really doesn't say much about life-long discipleship.

5. Going to a basketball game or band concert is ministry. By doing this I am being present to a teenager. (you try going to a freshman badmittion game and tell me its for fun).

4. Praise your youth pastor from the pulpit. Your authority and voice means a lot to the church. any public affirmation for your youth pastor will go along way with the congregation in its support.

3. Get off your youth pastor's back. It is really difficult to do youth ministry with someone breathing down your kneck (especially if that person doesn't have a tic-tac). Give your youth pastor some freedom to fail and be right there to lovingly guide her when she does.

2. Inquire about what's going on in the youth ministry. You didn't just hire a youth pastor to unload another responsibility of your's (okay maybe you did) and not concern yourself with it. The students in your church are the Church of today and what's going on in their lives matters deeply to your church.

1. Pray for your youth pastor. Pray for your youth pastor. Pray for your youth pastor.

I encourage you to print this out and share it with your pastor. My hope and prayer is that wherever you're at in your relationship with him/her that this can lead to effective discussion and maybe bring about any needed healing.

Although if you could, eliminate my name from this. Some of the pastors know me and I'd rather not have my ordination in jeopardy ;)

Keep loving on those kids,
Erick