THIS GUY COULD BE YOUR SUCCESSOR - FIVE WAYS TO INVEST IN YOUR YOUTH PASTOR

There’s often a stereotype attached to youth ministers. They tend to be younger, less organized, they’re addicted to energy drinks, they wake up at the crack of noon, their hair is long, they rock a beard, and they don’t know what they want to be if they grow up.

But here’s the shocking news, that guy whose office smells funny and who never returns a call but texts back instantly could be your successor. The large study I just finished on SBC associate pastors turned up a surprising finding - the most likely place the next generation’s lead pastors are is in youth ministry. More than any other single-focus associate-level description, youth ministers responded the most to the question “Do you aspire to one day become a lead pastor?” Of the 109 out of 463 who answered they wanted to be a lead pastor, 44 of them were youth ministers. It would seem, from the data collected, that this position is serving as a preparatory phase for the next generation’s lead pastors.

I’m really not sure why this is, and I’d love to know what input you might have to know why. So take advantage of the comments section at the end and let’s continue this discussion!

Here are 5 ways for lead pastors to invest in the “youth guy:”

1. Help him to understand his long term calling and career trajectory - Many people get into youth ministry while they’re young and still building experience. They may not have a 30 year understanding of their calling, but those years will come before they know it. Take the time to walk with your youth pastor through understanding how God has gifted him, the desires God has given him for ministry, and how ministry can change during life stages. Some guys after having this conversation realize they are “lifers,” and thank God for them. We need lifers. Having this conversation though will help you, and your youth pastor, to better discern God’s calling and leadership in his life.
2. Treat him as a grown up - Another stereotype attached to youth ministry is that it’s glorified babysitting led by an older kid. Some youth pastors struggle with being considered an adult, or being taken seriously for their calling and role within the church staff. One of the ways I found in another project to connect youth pastors to their lead pastor is for the youth pastor to become the lead pastor’s resource for current trends & pop culture. Lead pastors, invite your youth pastor to give you brief reports on a regular basis about what’s going on. It will help the youth pastor with responsibility, deadlines, and working under good authority.
3. Let him have a test drive - If your youth pastor has a desire to be a lead pastor, let him get a feel for what that position is. Assign him pastoral care visits, send him to a nursing home to visit a lady with dementia, invite him in deacon’s meetings, and give him pulpit time - and not just when you’re out of town. Let him have a series over a few weeks, and make it clear to the church what’s going on and why. Take these as opportunities to see what he’s made of. It’ll be awkward at times, and he might make mistakes.
4. Give him honest feedback - Every year the first couple weeks of American Idol are glorious, because the episodes are full of people who have no business trying to get a singing career. And when they get honest feedback for the first time, many of them crumble. Honest feedback isn’t being overly critical, it’s being what it says - honest. That means when your youth pastor has a ministry victory, celebrate it with him and make sure he knows you’re watching. And when he messes up, which he will, graciously, lovingly, and redemptively work with him towards greater ministry effectiveness. But through all of it, be honest with him. Sugarcoating, avoiding the good/bad parts of feedback, and leading by negligence won’t have the long-term effects that honest feedback and growth will.
5. Change how you see yourself - You’re not a boss, an immediate supervisor, or an overlord anymore with your youth pastor. You become a father in the faith to him, a mentor, someone who has years of experience to share with him. If he really wants to be in your shoes some day, share yourself with him. Don’t make it canned and ministry-mechanical. Be real, transparent, and reflective with him. You have a unique opportunity to help shape his pastoral theology, which will effect both how he leads the youth ministry and how he leads churches for decades to come. And God invites you to be a part of that.

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