Comments on: Your input: What do sr. pastors need to hear from youth workers? http://www.studentministry.org/your-input-what-do-sr-pastors-need-to-hear-from-youth-workers/ Conversations among those passionate for teenagers. Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:15:46 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: UYN Newsletter #14 « UYN Newsletter http://www.studentministry.org/your-input-what-do-sr-pastors-need-to-hear-from-youth-workers/comment-page-1/#comment-134641 UYN Newsletter #14 « UYN Newsletter Tue, 16 Sep 2008 17:44:20 +0000 http://www.studentministry.org/?p=1129#comment-134641 [...] Misc. Articles: -“A Lot of Youth Workers Are Hurting” -“Three-Mile Marker of Success” -“What Do Sr. Pastors Need To Hear from Youth Workers” [...] [...] Misc. Articles: -“A Lot of Youth Workers Are Hurting” -“Three-Mile Marker of Success” -“What Do Sr. Pastors Need To Hear from Youth Workers” [...]

]]> By: Ricky http://www.studentministry.org/your-input-what-do-sr-pastors-need-to-hear-from-youth-workers/comment-page-1/#comment-127658 Ricky Mon, 08 Sep 2008 17:13:25 +0000 http://www.studentministry.org/?p=1129#comment-127658 Tim, Great topics and points! As the new youth pastor of a church here in WA state, I think there is so much validity to your 2nd speaking topic. This is something we're in the process of teaching our parents and people (especially with an emphasis on making teenagers a part of church). Thanks for your insight! Tim,
Great topics and points! As the new youth pastor of a church here in WA state, I think there is so much validity to your 2nd speaking topic. This is something we’re in the process of teaching our parents and people (especially with an emphasis on making teenagers a part of church). Thanks for your insight!

]]> By: Carolyn http://www.studentministry.org/your-input-what-do-sr-pastors-need-to-hear-from-youth-workers/comment-page-1/#comment-127638 Carolyn Mon, 08 Sep 2008 16:49:49 +0000 http://www.studentministry.org/?p=1129#comment-127638 I love this article... and the one you posted about the olders helping in youth group... ah, but our church seems to be stuck in the young moms leaving their 10 and unders at home or with the sitter to join in at youth group... The one thing that has been on my heart lately is ..... ((REVERENCE)) It is so lost, so gone, so needed and so not to be found in the flip flop, java happy, feel so good church... how then do we hear God.. if we cannot be still? Where do we learn to be still? Did you ever experience as a child going up the stairs to church on sunday, being formally greeted, sitting down to quiet music and just feeling God"s presence? Did you ever wonder why it felt so huge in the church? Did you feel when you prayed that God was right there? I am not nor have ever been Catholic, but the Catholic churches had those knee rests so you could kneel right there, on your knees before God. ...It's not about the religion of it but about the REVERENCE of God? What was it like when Jesus prayed... When HE talked to God? Oh I can imagine those moments were so Quiet.. so HE could hear and feel .No wonder the disciples fell asleep in the Garden.. How do we then teach our kds to be reverent? how do we teach them to be still? How do we teach them that their feet should be clean as they prepare to come before the Lord? Do we need to teach them to prepare their hearts to hear a word from the Lord? What about Modesty before the Lord? In HIS house? There is so much to be said for the Old timers and what they know so much to be heard from the Elders... Is there a place for REVERENCE in todays Church? This is my question for Senior Pastors.... I love this article… and the one you posted about the olders helping in youth group… ah, but our church seems to be stuck in the young moms leaving their 10 and unders at home or with the sitter to join in at youth group… The one thing that has been on my heart lately is …..

((REVERENCE))
It is so lost, so gone, so needed and so not to be found in the flip flop, java happy, feel so good church… how then do we hear God.. if we cannot be still? Where do we learn to be still?
Did you ever experience as a child going up the stairs to church on sunday, being formally greeted, sitting down to quiet music and just feeling God”s presence? Did you ever wonder why it felt so huge in the church? Did you feel when you prayed that God was right there? I am not nor have ever been Catholic, but the Catholic churches had those knee rests so you could kneel right there, on your knees before God.
…It’s not about the religion of it but about the REVERENCE of God?
What was it like when Jesus prayed… When HE talked to God? Oh I can imagine those moments were so Quiet.. so HE could hear and feel .No wonder the disciples fell asleep in the Garden..
How do we then teach our kds to be reverent? how do we teach them to be still? How do we teach them that their feet should be clean as they prepare to come before the Lord? Do we need to teach them to prepare their hearts to hear a word from the Lord? What about Modesty before the Lord? In HIS house?
There is so much to be said for the Old timers and what they know so much to be heard from the Elders…
Is there a place for REVERENCE in todays Church?
This is my question for Senior Pastors….

]]> By: Eric http://www.studentministry.org/your-input-what-do-sr-pastors-need-to-hear-from-youth-workers/comment-page-1/#comment-125793 Eric Sat, 06 Sep 2008 03:11:43 +0000 http://www.studentministry.org/?p=1129#comment-125793 Tim - Great post, agree with your thoughts. Related to your "how sr. pastors can support" list I'd offer this practical suggestion of a way to implement point #1: speak highly of them in front of others, in other church leadership committee meetings, to families visiting church, etc. and then share that with the y.w. (not in a boastful way, of course, but as a means of encouragement to the y.w. about the job they are doing). We all know how little recognition and support is sometimes expressed. Knowing that the hard work, effort, and plans of the y.w. is noticed by the sr. pastor and acknowledged to other church leadership or church members may help others see how the y.w. is contributing to the overall vision/mission of the church as a whole and see the value of having that y.w. leading the youth ministry. Tim -

Great post, agree with your thoughts. Related to your “how sr. pastors can support” list I’d offer this practical suggestion of a way to implement point #1: speak highly of them in front of others, in other church leadership committee meetings, to families visiting church, etc. and then share that with the y.w. (not in a boastful way, of course, but as a means of encouragement to the y.w. about the job they are doing). We all know how little recognition and support is sometimes expressed. Knowing that the hard work, effort, and plans of the y.w. is noticed by the sr. pastor and acknowledged to other church leadership or church members may help others see how the y.w. is contributing to the overall vision/mission of the church as a whole and see the value of having that y.w. leading the youth ministry.

]]> By: Kate http://www.studentministry.org/your-input-what-do-sr-pastors-need-to-hear-from-youth-workers/comment-page-1/#comment-125518 Kate Fri, 05 Sep 2008 20:14:52 +0000 http://www.studentministry.org/?p=1129#comment-125518 Short version of Gman and Jeremy part 3 Give them time! Then you will be able to correct, direct and have a clue what they're doing and they will have a sounding board. Give then time! Short version of Gman and Jeremy part 3
Give them time!
Then you will be able to correct, direct and have a clue what they’re doing and they will have a sounding board.
Give then time!

]]> By: Jeremy http://www.studentministry.org/your-input-what-do-sr-pastors-need-to-hear-from-youth-workers/comment-page-1/#comment-124269 Jeremy Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:40:51 +0000 http://www.studentministry.org/?p=1129#comment-124269 The final thing I believe young youth leaders are looking for is FRIENDSHIP. You don’t have to be buddies with your youth pastor, but be sure to make time for him. Most youth leaders would jump at the chance to join you for lunch or some hospital calls. I volunteered on several occasions to drive my pastor to various meetings. I did this so I could have some time with him. (He also had a really cool car) As a pastor, you will have the opportunity to help a young leader get off to a great start or a disappointing one. The length and effectiveness of his or her ministry will in large part be due to the time they sat under your leadership. Be a Samuel to a young David. Be a Paul to a struggling Timothy. Take advantage of the opportunity God has given you to effect a future generation. The final thing I believe young youth leaders are looking for is FRIENDSHIP. You don’t have to be
buddies with your youth pastor, but be sure to make time for him. Most youth leaders would jump at
the chance to join you for lunch or some hospital calls. I volunteered on several occasions to drive
my pastor to various meetings. I did this so I could have some time with him. (He also had a really
cool car) As a pastor, you will have the opportunity to help a young leader get off to a great start or a
disappointing one. The length and effectiveness of his or her ministry will in large part be due to the
time they sat under your leadership. Be a Samuel to a young David. Be a Paul to a struggling
Timothy. Take advantage of the opportunity God has given you to effect a future generation.

]]> By: Jeremy http://www.studentministry.org/your-input-what-do-sr-pastors-need-to-hear-from-youth-workers/comment-page-1/#comment-124266 Jeremy Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:39:35 +0000 http://www.studentministry.org/?p=1129#comment-124266 Another thing our youth pastors are looking for is FREEDOM. If you hire someone to be your youth pastor, then allow them to have time to do ministry with students. If you expect them to be in the office all week long, then it is going to be hard for them to reach young people. Allow them the opportunity to be on the local campus as much as possible. I know there are plenty of associate duties that they need to be a part of, but don’t bog them down with so many of these duties that they don’t have time to be creative in the youth area. Another way you can give your youth leader freedom is by providing finances for your youth ministry. If it’s true that 90% of the people who are Christians today became one before the age of 20, then we might need to re-evaluate our church budgets. I’m not saying that 90% of the budget should go to the youth ministry, but give them a small budget or allow them to do some fundraisers so they can be more effective. A good youth ministry will bring new families into the church and pay for itself time and time again. Allow them the freedom to make some mistakes. Allow them the freedom to preach outside your church. While they don’t need to book ten revivals each year, don’t be afraid that someone will steal your “best kept secret” by allowing them some exposure. First of all, if you are treating them like you should, they won’t want to work for someone else. Secondly, by allowing them to preach out you can help supplement their income and realize how good that have it by being on your staff. Another thing our youth pastors are looking for is FREEDOM. If you hire someone to be your youth
pastor, then allow them to have time to do ministry with students. If you expect them to be in the
office all week long, then it is going to be hard for them to reach young people. Allow them the
opportunity to be on the local campus as much as possible. I know there are plenty of associate
duties that they need to be a part of, but don’t bog them down with so many of these duties that they
don’t have time to be creative in the youth area. Another way you can give your youth leader
freedom is by providing finances for your youth ministry. If it’s true that 90% of the people who are
Christians today became one before the age of 20, then we might need to re-evaluate our church
budgets. I’m not saying that 90% of the budget should go to the youth ministry, but give them a small
budget or allow them to do some fundraisers so they can be more effective. A good youth ministry
will bring new families into the church and pay for itself time and time again. Allow them the freedom
to make some mistakes. Allow them the freedom to preach outside your church. While they don’t
need to book ten revivals each year, don’t be afraid that someone will steal your “best kept secret” by
allowing them some exposure. First of all, if you are treating them like you should, they won’t want to
work for someone else. Secondly, by allowing them to preach out you can help supplement their
income and realize how good that have it by being on your staff.

]]> By: Jeremy http://www.studentministry.org/your-input-what-do-sr-pastors-need-to-hear-from-youth-workers/comment-page-1/#comment-124263 Jeremy Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:35:22 +0000 http://www.studentministry.org/?p=1129#comment-124263 3 part post and kind of long...sorry I think the most important thing a youth leader wants is LOYALTY. I hear pastors speak of loyalty all the time, but loyalty is a two-way street. While disloyalty to a youth worker is never grounds for them to break the trust of their pastor, a youth leader will never reach his potential without his pastor’s loyalty. Too many times I’ve watch powerful people in churches complain to the pastor about the youth leader and then watched that pastor take the side of the parishioners. While I’m sure it’s tough as a pastor to support a young minister when he has made a mistake, the pastor must make sure that he doesn’t join up with these people to Barbeque the youth pastor for lunch. There is no way a young man of God can walk in anointing and authority when this is going on. How can he lead students when they know if they complain to mom and dad, they’ll get the pastor to “fix it.” I was so blessed as a green youth leader to have a pastor that gave me room for mistakes and backed me up. There were plenty of times my pastors could have rebuked me, but they always took up for me in front of the people and addressed these issues in private with me. 3 part post and kind of long…sorry
I think the most important thing a youth leader wants is LOYALTY. I hear pastors speak of loyalty all
the time, but loyalty is a two-way street. While disloyalty to a youth worker is never grounds for them
to break the trust of their pastor, a youth leader will never reach his potential without his pastor’s
loyalty. Too many times I’ve watch powerful people in churches complain to the pastor about the
youth leader and then watched that pastor take the side of the parishioners. While I’m sure it’s tough
as a pastor to support a young minister when he has made a mistake, the pastor must make sure that
he doesn’t join up with these people to Barbeque the youth pastor for lunch. There is no way a young
man of God can walk in anointing and authority when this is going on. How can he lead students
when they know if they complain to mom and dad, they’ll get the pastor to “fix it.” I was so blessed as
a green youth leader to have a pastor that gave me room for mistakes and backed me up. There
were plenty of times my pastors could have rebuked me, but they always took up for me in front of the
people and addressed these issues in private with me.

]]> By: Tim Schmoyer http://www.studentministry.org/your-input-what-do-sr-pastors-need-to-hear-from-youth-workers/comment-page-1/#comment-124126 Tim Schmoyer Thu, 04 Sep 2008 15:43:06 +0000 http://www.studentministry.org/?p=1129#comment-124126 @ Chris Miller: Dude, how did I forget that one?! lol That definitely needs to be on the list. Thank you! @ Chris Miller: Dude, how did I forget that one?! lol That definitely needs to be on the list. Thank you!

]]> By: Chris Miller http://www.studentministry.org/your-input-what-do-sr-pastors-need-to-hear-from-youth-workers/comment-page-1/#comment-124122 Chris Miller Thu, 04 Sep 2008 15:40:03 +0000 http://www.studentministry.org/?p=1129#comment-124122 Only thing I would add is that they (sr. pastor) remember to pray for us and have our congregations pray for us. Maybe occasionally ask for specific pray request. I think if more people heard our heart/vision in our prayer request that they would be more supportive and less critical. It would also make everyone aware of the challenges we face in youth ministry. We all know youth ministry can be tough but it makes a HUGE difference when you feel the support of your pastor and church. Only thing I would add is that they (sr. pastor) remember to pray for us and have our congregations pray for us. Maybe occasionally ask for specific pray request. I think if more people heard our heart/vision in our prayer request that they would be more supportive and less critical. It would also make everyone aware of the challenges we face in youth ministry. We all know youth ministry can be tough but it makes a HUGE difference when you feel the support of your pastor and church.

]]> By: Tim Schmoyer http://www.studentministry.org/your-input-what-do-sr-pastors-need-to-hear-from-youth-workers/comment-page-1/#comment-124110 Tim Schmoyer Thu, 04 Sep 2008 15:25:01 +0000 http://www.studentministry.org/?p=1129#comment-124110 @ Gman: Yeah, that's a valid point. Thanks. I guess I wrote that out of my past frustrations, but you're totally right. It really depends on the youth worker. @ Gman: Yeah, that’s a valid point. Thanks. I guess I wrote that out of my past frustrations, but you’re totally right. It really depends on the youth worker.

]]> By: Gman http://www.studentministry.org/your-input-what-do-sr-pastors-need-to-hear-from-youth-workers/comment-page-1/#comment-124108 Gman Thu, 04 Sep 2008 15:22:47 +0000 http://www.studentministry.org/?p=1129#comment-124108 In some ways I think Senior pastors need to be more hands on and not hands off. They need to mentor and guide ... and unfortunately not alot of 23yr olds are ready to Run a youth group .... In some ways I think Senior pastors need to be more hands on and not hands off. They need to mentor and guide … and unfortunately not alot of 23yr olds are ready to Run a youth group ….

]]> By: Mark http://www.studentministry.org/your-input-what-do-sr-pastors-need-to-hear-from-youth-workers/comment-page-1/#comment-123989 Mark Thu, 04 Sep 2008 12:10:38 +0000 http://www.studentministry.org/?p=1129#comment-123989 Point two and three of "Why teenagers are leaving the church" is spot on. You get a similar effect from those causes with teenagers who all of a sudden become really on fire for God at university, it's because they're finally living with people who they see are studying the Word and praying and evangelising. Not necessarily that parents aren't doing these things, just that the teenagers aren't often seeing them doing these things. Point two and three of “Why teenagers are leaving the church” is spot on. You get a similar effect from those causes with teenagers who all of a sudden become really on fire for God at university, it’s because they’re finally living with people who they see are studying the Word and praying and evangelising. Not necessarily that parents aren’t doing these things, just that the teenagers aren’t often seeing them doing these things.

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