Comments on: Youth Leadership 101: What to look for in a youth leader

By: Ben komanapalli

Ben komanapalli — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 17:25:55 +0000

Thats a great list Tim! I need to improve on being more relational and follow thru. Thanks for the list!

By: Tim Schmoyer

Tim Schmoyer — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 01:52:58 +0000

@jeremy zach: I totally agree about having a solid foundation on the Word. I guess I should’ve explicitly stated that under “growing edge,” but yeah, I agree.

I’m not so sure I agree about how necessary it is for every youth leader to have a handle on pop culture and adolescent development. They’re helpful, yes, but I’ve found that my best youth workers aren’t necessarily the people who are all full of youth-y knowledge. They’re usually the old retired couples who really, sincerely love teenagers. My observation has been that teens don’t really care so much if you know all the latest bands or if you’re up to date with the latest fashion trends as long as they know that you genuinely love them — that’s what they really care about, and that’s what teens latch on to.

By: jeremy zach

jeremy zach — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 22:07:38 +0000

i would add a few more traits:

1. A solid theological education. I think it is imperative a youth leader not only know but know how to articulate basic Christian theologies.

2. A handle on youth and pop culture. If a youth leader doesn’t have a clue about youth fads it may be difficult to relate.

3. A basic understanding of adolescent development. It will help a lot if the youth leader know the common traits of how a mid to late adolescent will act, behave, talk, think, speak, and process because this is all apart of their spiritual development as a teenager. A youth leader needs to know that a teenager’s spirituality is not going to look exactly like an adults spirituality and we shouldn’t expect them to experience God like we experience God.

By: Brandon Johns

Brandon Johns — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 15:27:21 +0000

You forgot “The ability to consume large amounts of pizza in a single night!” Seriously, I can’t think of anything else that should be added to this list. I am will use this in my new leader packet (to update the “My expectations” list in their packet)

Thanks Tim and Go Steelers!

By: Tim Schmoyer

Tim Schmoyer — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 14:49:52 +0000

@david: Yeah, you’re right — it’s worth pointing out the obvious. However, there have been times when I know someone could make a good youth leader, but they’re too nervous or even intimidated to give it a try. Those people aren’t very passionate when they start, but I can tell that after they become more comfortable with it they’ll be great and that passion will totally be there.

By: david

david — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 06:35:31 +0000

I like this post, although I would say people with these qualities are often approached and asked by churches to be their youth leader just because they have these qualities and they think they would work well with youth. I think in addition they [the person recruited] needs to have the DESIRE/PASSION to work with youth. Maybe you are already assuming this in the nature of the post but it’s worth noting. Working as a nurse people can tell immediately if you are there for THEM or if you are there for another reason. Just a thought.