Youth Ministry Corrections

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 …

R.I.P. Youth Director as a Position in the Church

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 …

Clergy & Laity (The False Dichotomy Of Specialness)

I often hear in Lutheran circles (ELCA) a division between laity and clergy that is completely unhelpful. What I find particularly troubling is the degree to which some exalt clergy to such a point that the Pastor’s vary nature changed–somehow by the laying on of hands the person is now elevated and special in ordination. I had an experience a while back where someone told me that the Job of a Youth Minister and that Read More …