What Youth Workers Do VS What We Are Paid For
Have you been brushing up the latest youth ministry techniques? Maybe you have been reading relational youth ministry strategies. At any rate, stop! That is probably not what your church pays you for.
Here is a short list of things your church does not pay for you for:
- Building relationships with students
- Preaching and or teaching
- Praying for kids
- Attending church and or worshipping
- Studying your Bible
- Loving kids
- Discipling kids
- Good Theology
If you are called to youth ministry, you will do these things regardless. There is no price tag you can place on it. Besides, think about your yearly or quarterly reviews. Are you ever called on the carpet for any of these things? My guess is No. So, let me present a list of things you are probably paid for and we all should be brushing up on:
- Budgeting
- Training and Leading a team
- Fun activities and programming
- Numeric Youth Group Growth
- Ideas that will grow the church body
- Paper work
- Marketing
- Organization
- Understanding and Operating new Technology (AKA Social Media)
- Handling Crisis (make everything better)
So, if you are about to be hired or are changing churches, don’t get confused for what you are actually paid for. The former list is what happens in the midst of the latter list. We live for the former list and endure the latter list. You might want start thinking about changing your summer reading list. Let me offer a few suggestions
And for those who still won’t give up connecting with kids, in spite of the fact that you are not getting paid for it. I recommend the book by Jonathan McKee called Connect. Great book.
Living The Dream - Paul Turner
I’ve written and re-written so may of these, I have decided to try and sum up my ministry in 6 words:
Loves To See Youth Pastors Succeed.
That’s what I’m about. It’s because of my 29 year love affair with God and my 20 year infatuation with youth ministry that I want help you and your youth ministry succeed. Sometimes it takes one good idea, sometimes a few. If I can help you through resources, speaking, or training please do not hesitate to call and ask questions 205-260-7229, tweet me at PaulTurnerToo, or catch me on Facebook.
I've always wanted to be a youth pastor and minster to teens at all levels. Youth pastors, along with camp counselors, have been my heroes. I have been ministering to students now for 20 years and started a free resource sight called The Disciple Project at www.thediscipleproject.net. Come by and say hello.
I live in Birmingham, AL. with my wife and thee great kids, two of which are teenagers.
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Comments
Are you for real? Or is this
Are you for real? Or is this article tongue-in-cheek? I sure hope so, because I'm paid for it all! Maybe the church I'm at is abnormal, but part of my job description is meeting with students outside of church, discipling them, teaching Biblical lessons, and keeping a consistant personal time with God. Truth be told, we youth ministers lean toward the relational side of things more heavily and should spend more time on organizing and learning to lead better, but to say that that is what we're paid for is going overboard.
Unfortunately, in the
Unfortunately, in the churches I've been at, Mr. Turner is right on the mark. In fact, reading his article hit home with me as a youth director who is doing TOO MUCH paper work and is not able to spend enough time with the teens OR with Jesus! Chad is BLESSED to be getting paid for doing all of the things that are involved in the job description of a youth leader. Please pray for those of us who are not - as it is a daily struggle with burn-out and honest-to-goodness discouragement.
Hey Guys, thanks for your
Hey Guys, thanks for your comments. Chad, it really depends on the church you are at but I believe, based on experience, this scenario is more common. It could be read tongue in cheek but it was too true of previous experiences. The church I am in now, is all about relationships. In fact, I am shocked, but I love it. Thanks for your comments.
paul turner
www.thediscipleproject.net
Mr. T, I've been in youth
Mr. T,
I've been in youth ministry for 2 years now, and am jealous of the situations that you and those who commented on this post are lucky enough to be in. I am in a church whose focus appears to be on finances and how they can stay afloat--not on the people of the community--and certainly not on the youth, who are slipping through the cracks. Amazingly (and ONLY by the grace of God!), the children's and youth ministry have grown from about 2 to 42 from the time that I began working here--and we're still seeing more kids each week.
However, without volunteers or a budget, a staff who doesn't communicate, and the restraints placed on me to stay in my office each day from 9 to 5 (it's difficult to communicate solely via facebook and twitter!)...well, it gets discouraging.
The kids in my area of the world NEED a Godly influence in their lives. They aren't getting it at home; sometimes they aren't even getting it at church (sadly). So I'm here to stick it out--at least until Jesus tells me I can go somewhere else! In the meantime, I could sure use some prayer, Mr. T.
Thank you so much! And continue the good work that you do, blogging and encouraging those of us out there who need it!
Blessings in Christ Jesus our Savior,
Mrs. P :)
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