A New Normal - Part 1
My list earlier was what is widely considered normal in youth ministry. This might be what life was like in the future if churches addressed the systemic issues of the church related to youth ministry.
A new Normal.
1. Youth pastors and churches stay committed to each other and they each deal with the issues that currently lead them to break off relationships. This kind of commitment is viewed as a long term relationship and both parties work hard to assure the other is healthy and cared for. Turn over will never go away, but the expectation and norm for the "New Normal" will be longer committed relationships between church and youth pastor. To see this happen, churches will think about specific expectations ahead of time for their staff. The expectations will be managed by non-staff people who are committed to supporting the congregation and the pastor. These expectations will be reasonable and healthy for the youth pastor. In the "New Normal" churches who are unwilling to do this difficult task will find themselves without a youth pastor, as youth pastors will learn to pass over these kinds of congregations.
2. In the New Normal, the success or failure of the spiritual nurture of our students will rest on the local community starting with, but absolutely not limited to the parents. A youth pastor will still play an important role in the nurture of kids, but the ministry and spiritual nurture will not longer hinge on their ability. Ine the New Normal, Churches will remember what the role of the pastor is, while developing better habits of doing life together, and have a level of expertise in the congregation. (aside from a youth pastor) These congregations will be fun to work with as a pastor, and will give consistancy to students in their discipleship.
more later
A new Normal.
1. Youth pastors and churches stay committed to each other and they each deal with the issues that currently lead them to break off relationships. This kind of commitment is viewed as a long term relationship and both parties work hard to assure the other is healthy and cared for. Turn over will never go away, but the expectation and norm for the "New Normal" will be longer committed relationships between church and youth pastor. To see this happen, churches will think about specific expectations ahead of time for their staff. The expectations will be managed by non-staff people who are committed to supporting the congregation and the pastor. These expectations will be reasonable and healthy for the youth pastor. In the "New Normal" churches who are unwilling to do this difficult task will find themselves without a youth pastor, as youth pastors will learn to pass over these kinds of congregations.
2. In the New Normal, the success or failure of the spiritual nurture of our students will rest on the local community starting with, but absolutely not limited to the parents. A youth pastor will still play an important role in the nurture of kids, but the ministry and spiritual nurture will not longer hinge on their ability. Ine the New Normal, Churches will remember what the role of the pastor is, while developing better habits of doing life together, and have a level of expertise in the congregation. (aside from a youth pastor) These congregations will be fun to work with as a pastor, and will give consistancy to students in their discipleship.
more later
Labels: Riddle Group, Systems Thinking, youth ministry
posted by mark at
12:40 PM
3 Comments:
Sounds good, Mark. If you would for me though, what IS the role of the youth pastor the church needs to remember?
joe. did I answer this in the latest posts? "My thoughts on the role of the youth pastor?"
Yes, you answered my question. It almost sounds to good to be true. When I started volunteer pastoring youth a few years ago, what you say about being present to people and to God rang true to me. Before I knew it, most of my efforts and attention were being put into all the other stuff, that I felt so awkward at. I have developed some, (and I stress SOME) proficiency at all the other tasks, but it always felt like I was having to wade through the other tasks to get to what God has called me to do. Anyways, thanks Mark for being a guide through all of this.
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