A leaders-only Bible study can have drawbacks, but the benefits of nurture and support outweighs the costs.

Leaders are a vital asset in any youth ministry. For this reason, they deserve as much attention as possible to prevent them from burning out and growing disheartened.

Consequently, one of the most important responsibilities of the youth pastor is to pastor the youth leaders. This task has several aspects.

Primarily, there is the teaching component. Pastoral care must have the teaching of the word of God at its centre. Leaders need to hear this word for their own benefit, as well as for those they teach.

Secondly, there is the training component. As you help your leaders develop their skills, you improve the overall quality of the youth ministry, and in turn show that you value the leaders and appreciate their efforts.

Thirdly, there is the team component. Good teams rely upon members having confidence in each other, especially when faced with challenges. Furthermore, by working together, leaders can increase their ownership of the ministry.

Finally, there is the trust component. Ministry teams must demonstrate a genuine trust in God as together they bring their requests to him in prayer.

So then, how should a youth pastor teach the Bible, train, build the team and demonstrate trust in God through prayer?

A common solution is to atomise these pastoral components by organising separate events to achieve these different outcomes. One night they might hold a leaders' social to build the team; one Saturday they might have a leaders training day; another day they might have a special leader's meeting to prepare the upcoming term, to hear the leader teach the Bible study and to pray together.

There are clear benefits in having special training and planning "feasts' like these. However, the best way to grow the leaders is to provide a regular diet of teaching, training, team-building and prayer.

The most convenient and effective way to do this is to run a weekly leaders' Bible study. Instead of the leaders attending a normal "18 Plus' group each week, they join a special group lead by the youth pastor.

This has many advantages. The youth pastor is able to spend an hour a week teaching the Bible to the leaders. He or she can also provide some on-the-job training through action and reflection. The fellowship of the team will grow quickly and effectively. Small chunks of administration can be dealt with weekly, keeping the leaders "in the loop' and cutting down the need for time-consuming planning meetings. Finally, the youth leaders can join together in regular prayer for the specific needs of the youth ministry and each other.

However, the idea of a leaders' Bible study does have some drawbacks. It can alienate the leaders from their peers outside the youth ministry, even creating the appearance of an "elite' group. It also prevents leaders from inviting their newcomer friends to their home group.

Yet, whilst these concerns may be legitimate, the benefits outweigh the costs. In what better way can the youth pastor nurture and support his or her leaders than by spending a night each week gathering around the word of God?

Jodie McNeill is a Youth Ministry Trainer and Year 13 Director at Youthworks College. Contact him at jodiem@youthworks.net