The desperate need for more youth ministers means parishes should recruit within their own church.

by Jodie McNeill

Ministry needs ministers" and youth ministry is no exception. If you want to invest time and energy into the teenagers within your church, then it is important that they receive pastoral care from someone equipped for the task, and that the youth leaders are trained and nurtured by a suitably qualified pastor.

Notwithstanding, it is often difficult for a church to employ a youth minister. It may be that the cost is beyond the reach of the church. Or, perhaps the lack of trained youth ministers means that the parish is unable to find a suitable person for the job.

When we allow the goal of the Diocesan Mission to capture our imagination, it quickly highlights the desperate need for more trained youth ministers. It also pushes us to explore new options for training and recruitment.

One of the greatest innovations in youth and children's ministry training has been the establishment of Anglican Youthworks College. Yet, it is neither the theology nor the training that is innovative. Rather, it is the form of delivery that really provides a unique solution to the challenge of The Mission.

The beauty lies in the freedom for parishes to recruit youth ministers from within their own church, and to partner with Youthworks College in their training and equipping. Yet, this process happens at the same time as these new ministers-in-training actually serve in their home church.

Student youth ministers normally study for three days, two of which consist of formal lectures at the Loftus campus, with the remaining day allocated to private study. This then provides up to three full days to work as student youth ministers at a local church.

This solves the availability problem. But it also solves the affordability issue. Because Youthworks College students are still in-training, they are usually paid the recommended diocesan student minister rate. In 2005 this was $5499 per year for each day they are employed (plus super and other allowances). For example, it is recommended that a student employed three days per week be paid an annual amount of $16,398 plus super and other allowances. This amount can contribute to college fees, or students may choose to use FEE HELP and directly receive this amount.

Then, after two years of study, you have the youth minister you've been searching for" trained with a diploma in theology, and thoroughly acclimatised to your specific church context. What's more, your church has had two years to prepare for the additional funds to employ this person full time as a stipendiary lay worker. Or, if the student joins the secular workforce, then your church has a thoroughly trained lay volunteer and the funds to send another person to college as a trainee youth minister.

And of course, all this applies equally to children's ministry, too!

After several years in full-time ministry, some graduates of Youthworks College may then complete further theological study at the bachelor level, through Moore College or Sydney Missionary and Bible College (SMBC).

Yet Youthworks College is not the only innovation. Employing an apprentice minister through The Ministry Training Strategy is a terrific way to train and recruit. When coupled with training and advice from Youthworks, your apprentice can be equipped for immediate youth ministry as they prepare for theological training after their apprenticeship. Sending your apprentice to the six-day February Youthworks Youth Ministry Intensive is an ideal way to give them a theological and practical framework for their ministry to teenagers.

A third option is to employ a one-day-a-week student minister from Moore or SMBC. Yet, the best use of this catechist is to teach and disciple the existing youth leaders in their ministry to teenagers, not to become the de facto youth minister. It is too difficult for a one-day-a-week person to "run' the youth ministry, but it is within their reach to encourage the existing youth leaders, and help them prepare their Bible studies and talks.

Above all, and most importantly, pray that God will raise up workers for his harvest"”men and women who are equipped to handle the word of truth and to teach and nurture the teenagers within and beyond the household of God.

Jodie McNeill is a youth ministry trainer with Anglican Youthworks. Contact him at jodiem@youthworks.net.

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