My thoughts on the Role of the Youth Pastor: Part 2

So what does a youth pastor do?

The churches the Riddle Group works with own the ministry to youth which practically speaking means that every bulletin announcement, every calendar, every van reservation, every missions trip, every event, every game everything is planned by the congregation. The congregation takes care of everything, because the ministry belongs to them. So what does the youth pastor do?

I believe the youth pastor's role is to be fully present with God and to be fully present with people.

That's it. Period.

It's a lot and it will look somewhat different for each context and each youth pastor.

My friend Ryan, who was hired as a youth pastor in a church the Riddle Group consulted, summed it up.

"You mean I get to be myself? I don't have to fake being someone I'm not? Are you kidding me?"

Nope. I'm not kidding. You take yourself, what you are good at, with all your giftedness before God. Listen. Be.

Then. Be yourself with people and youth. Are you a great teacher? Teach from your experience with God and your community. Are you an administrator? Administrate.

How is your memory?
Do you remember why you got into ministry? What was the impetus for it? Was it to do what you are doing right now? In other words, when you started ministry and responded to the call God had on your life for ministry did you think you'd spend your week like you do? Did you leave ministry, because it seemed that the calling you receieved from God consistantly failed to line up with the expectations the church had for you as a youth pastor?