How to Develop A Youth Ministry - Part IV (con't)
- Without coordinated and continuous planning the church might find itself involved in two or more distinct and fragmented ministries.
As we said before, a solid job description is indispensable before considering a minister of youth. The description should clearly list the expectations of the church along with the proposed responsibilities of the new minister. Part of the description should detail ministry objectives and the resources available to accomplish the task. The church must also put in black and white how the congregation will support the minister and his family. Included in the description will be information pertinent to whom the youth worker will be accountable. Generally the youth minister is directly accountable to the senior pastor and personnel committee. When decisions must be made touching financial support or interpersonal conflicts, the personnel committee is best suited to the task. The senior pastor is the manager or general administrator, but when tensions or great differences arise, an objective point of view and counsel is suggested to best mediate the situation.
Any job description should also outline what the church expects in regards to an unmarried youth minister's relationship with young women who may be part of the youth group. It is best if the youth minister not become involved with member young women, because this can open a Pandora's box of problems among the teenagers and their families.
The church should set aside sufficient funds and time for the youth worker to improve his ministry skills. When he is able, he will participate in workshops and conferences related to his ministry objectives.
(Next month: "Special Needs of Young People") |
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