How to Develop A Youth Ministry
Part II (con't)
This type of volunteer is more than a youth counselor or chaperone, because we are looking for those people particularly suited to work on a regular and constant basis with the teenagers. This volunteer will most likely come from within the congregation, but part of the long range plan is to call a paid individual to the position sometime down the road. Volunteers have their limitations, and sometimes these can create hindrances that can hurt the ministry.
Usually churches choose to use one or two married couples of the church to carry on the ministry, and often these folks have teenage children themselves. Whatever the case, it is of the utmost importance that these leaders meet on a regular basis to plan and evaluate the ministry. If planning sessions are not carefully calendared, it is likely that little lasting fruit will come of the efforts, and young people will not receive the attention they require.
Advantages of using volunteers:
- Volunteer ministers do not cost much money, and the local youth ministry can be started without as much formal preparation.
- The young people and members of the church already know the individuals who will be working. The transition to a new ministry and its workers is relatively easy.
Disadvantages of using volunteers:
- Sometimes volunteers do not fulfill their stated ministry responsibilities. It is possible to lose sight of the original interest and vision.
- When problems do arise, it must be kept in mind that you will be dealing with church members rather than employees.
- In many instances, the volunteers are not well equipped for youth ministry, and the quality of the ministry can suffer.
The summer youth minister
This method or option of ministry is ideal for initiating a youth ministry. Instead of using local church member volunteers, an outsider is selected to serve as youth pastor. This outsider is paid an honorable salary and, if needed, the church agrees to provide housing for the youth worker while he is on the field.
Advantages of a summer youth worker:
- There is no division of the worker's time and interests (no conflicts of interest). The exclusive purpose of the summer youth worker is to work with teenagers to develop a plan that reaches unchurched community youth.
- Cost is minimal. The summer worker will be on the field during the summer months when regular school classes are in recess. Most churches can easily afford to pay a worker and provide housing for two a three months.
- The church has opportunity to get to know a prospective minister in the event that they decide to call him to later full-time ministry.
- A short term ministry provides the summer worker with valuable ministry experience.
- Some of the best available summer ministers are university and seminary students. Many of these folks will have few summer class conflicts and, in fact, are looking for summer employment.
Disadvantages of using a summer youth minister:
- Unless there is careful local planning to incorporate the summer ministry into the overall ministry effort, the successes and benefits of the summer ministry could evaporate as soon as the worker leaves the field.
- If a different summer minister is used each year the ministry could lack stability.
- If the local pastor doesn't possess good administrative skills or is insecure regarding his own abilities and responsibilities, personality and/or program conflicts could develop. More personnel demand better supervision and guidance.
(To be continued)
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