(this will appear in the next issue of the Jubilate Deo)
It’s amazing what fun we can have with awkward headlines! Without any clarifiers we don’t know where the emphasis belongs. This results in multiple possible meanings, which can be humorous. What does that have to do with youth ministers? Simple. Without the right emphasis, youth ministry falls into the blur of church life and then leaves youth ministers with a harder task of making dynamic ministry happen.
Consider the following two possibilities. Youth Minister “A” works at an average parish where youth ministry has a low profile. Though weekly meetings are posted in the Sunday bulletin, when families with teens visit the church they may not even notice that a youth group exists. Consequently their possible participation is a random chance. The vestry hears little information about the youth group and questions the ministry when budgets are set each year. If vestry members are intrinsically committed to youth ministry or if the rector insists, it will get basic support. Most of the congregation knows little more than that a group for teens exists. What neither the congregation or the vestry may be aware of are lives being transformed in the youth room, on retreats, and in the daily work of the youth minister. Sadly, this youth minister will eventually grow tired of his or her work there. Why? The church simply does not know how to support the ministry and give it the profile that it desperately needs. Finding volunteers to get involved is a chore as few see the vision for this ministry or the importance of it. Funding may be an annual struggle with the vestry. Parents may seek results that differ from the vision of the youth minister. In this setting, Youth Minister “A” is typically able to do little more than maintain simple programs and keep a consistent number of youth involved. Unless he or she successfully mounts a campaign to raise the profile of youth ministry in the church, little will change.
Youth Minister “B” serves in a less common congregation that has made youth ministry a priority. The high profile of youth ministry is seen in a variety of ways. Members of the church hear often about the plans and progress of the ministry. They read about meetings and events in the bulletin, newsletter, and website. Teenagers are given a high profile role in the life of the congregation serving as greeters, readers, and chalice bearers on Sunday mornings. The youth minister preaches at services a few times each year (not limited to or designated as youth Sundays) and as a result is viewed as ministering to the whole congregation. Following youth trips or retreats, students are given the chance to share with the congregation the results of their event. Prayers in services always include the youth minister and the young people of the church. Youth Minister “B’ enjoys a strong degree of support from the church. The rector has communicated often to the congregation that youth ministry is a priority because they are the next generation of this church. Rather than wait until they become adults, they are recognized as a vital part of the body of Christ. Getting parents support and volunteers to lead teens is not a challenge in this church where people view youth ministry as an exciting ministry to be part of. Youth Minister “B” will remain in this position for a good amount of time because he or she will see real growth not only in the lives of students but in the number attending.
Having served in both settings, the contrast described is no exaggeration. My challenging years were spent in the former and joy filled years in the latter. The high profile youth ministry requires a youth minister who is called and equipped. It also requires that the rector and vestry understands youth ministry to be more than simply fun activities led by a young adult who enjoys being with teens. These are formative years and there are too many young people to be reached for the gospel to relegate youth ministry to the level of a second tier ministry. Our diocese has a mixture of both high and low profile youth ministries in our congregations. While this is far better than the norm for Episcopal Churches across the country, we need to strive for high profile ministries in every congregation. We must continue to train and equip men and women who are called to this vital ministry so that they can engage in cutting edge 21st century ministry models that transform lives!
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