I have the great privilege of meeting a lot of senior ministers and youth ministers from around the diocese. I get to hear what churches are doing as well as some of the joys and challenges of ministry. In amongst these conversations I often hear stories of frustration from senior ministers and youth ministers. Senior ministers are thankful to have someone in the role but frustrated by the lack of organisation and discipline. This feeling is exacerbated when the youth minister doesn’t seem to be particularly teachable or open to alternative views. The youth minister on the other hand wants the freedom to make a difference but feels stifled and untrusted if there are expectations of accountability. Alternatively, and sometimes simultaneously, they feel frustrated because the senior minister doesn’t seem to listen or engage with what is happening in the youth ministry. This feeling is exacerbated if the youth minister is excluded from planning days and senior staff meetings.
Some of this frustration stems from competing expectations and a lack of time and communication. It would be helpful for senior ministers to take an active interest in the youth ministry and work with the youth minister to develop a vision for the ministry. Where is it going? How is it going to get there? Help guide the vision, stand behind the vision, be an advocate for the vision. Ask your youth minister what you can do to help them fulfil the vision. As senior leaders our job is to help those we lead do their ministry well. We need to inspire, encourage, support, pastor and we need to keep those we lead accountable for the things they said they would do. I think sometimes we feel that giving people freedom without accountability is a form of trust and a vote of confidence. While I appreciate the sentiment in the end it almost always comes across as not being interested enough to care.
The challenge for youth ministers is to be open to allowing your senior minister to get involved. Hold your ministry and theological opinions firmly enough that you are willing to argue for your case. On the other hand don’t hold them so firmly that the only way to disagree is to get into an argument. I have started to realise that when I place myself as a learner I free myself from the fear of losing face and that freedom gives me permission to ask questions, change my mind and develop better plans than I would have thought of myself. Youth ministers; ask the opinion of your minister, win him over with a good plan and when you disagree do so constructively.
Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you. (Hebrews 13:17)
I would be interested to hear your thoughts. Does this resonate with your experience as a senior minister or youth minister? Is your experience different and if so what has made it different?
