Here is my top 15 things a church can do to keep their youth worker. Pay well. A first year youth worker in a church should earn the starting salary of a first year teacher in the area. Give vacations. At least 3 weeks a year and 4 Sundays. Give “comp time.” If they worked 50 hours one week, let them take 10 hours off the next week. Do not expect the spouse to work Read More …
I have been in youth and family ministry for 10 years, worked for 4 congregations under 7 different Pastors. In my experience here are some corrections that need to be made in youth ministry (in no particular order). 1. Being late or ending late (please respect my time and the time of the youth by starting and ending when you say your going to) 2. Being disorganized (Youth Minstry takes a lot of organization. Plan ahead! Spontaneity is Read More …
I am of the firm belief that we should take the position of Youth Director in the ELCA hit it with a shovel in the back of the head and bury it. It no longer does the Church any good to look for a “youth director” in order to provide the inadequate forms youth ministry we have come to love. Instead, I think we should be looking for Youth Ministers (that are missionally focused). What’s Read More …