Misconceptions of a Youth Pastor…Part 3

There is generally in youth ministry this stereotype or complex that you have to be young to be a youth pastor.  I have to admit I have had that feeling as I approach thirty of, “what will I do with my life?”  It is amazing at how many churches keep it young on a continuous basis.   Youth pastors get replaced right at the point that they develop enough wisdom to not make the same mistakes over and over and over again.  Maybe this idea comes out of the world of sports, where younger is better and that we have to replace older, slower athletes.  Or on the big screen where it is the young actors and actresses that get the “good” parts.  Or corporate America where the young guns come in to change things up and create excitement.  Well wherever this “younger is better” mentality came from, it’s wrong!

Don’t get me wrong young adults can and do make some of the best youth workers.  They tend to have a more flexible schedule.  They are usually more energetic and can get in there and tear it up with the students.  They do tend to know youth culture because most of them are still on the fringes of it.  And they do have a much bigger advantage of knowing what it is like to be a teenager today.  BUT!

On the flip side: a seasoned adult youth worker brings maturity that younger youth workers may lack.  Parents tend to trust seasoned adult youth workers with their teens.  They have life experience which is invaluable to pull from.  They tend to think student first and not “me” first.

Here’s how I see it: to realize the most benefits from team ministry means there has to be diversity-diversity of genders of ages, and diversity of ethnic backgrounds.  Different aged leaders take on different roles in the group.

To all of those who are thinking about working with students; don’t let your age scare you that you won’t be good enough.  There is a tremendous need for those of all ages to unite to see this generation become the generation of change.