Why Youth Ministry has Failed!

Or where has it failed. (This from a conversation on a Forum
)

Let me quickly suggest a few ways:


It has failed because it has been more about the Youth Pastor than God.

It has become more the Entertain me rather than God changing me.

Retreats, games, gimmicks and focus on teenagers alone tends to be the focus.

It tends to be about self-evaluation rather than transformation.

It has forgotten that Youth Ministry isn't about Youth as it is about God and Family.

It often separates teens from their families and thinks that having adults be influencers on their lives works ...meanwhile the number one influence on their lives is forgotten - their parents.

It seems to be that the youth pastor knows better raising the kids than the parents who actually are.

It (Youth Ministry) tries to compete with extra curricular activities and thinks that they are the devil and people don't have their priorities start because their son or daughter is in sports, marching band, whatever ... and missed Your event or program.

It makes the focus on the program rather than Jesus.

It thinks relationships are the end and not the means.

It has failed in so many ways.

It is articles like this


That give me hope though.

Youth Ministry needs to be about Church.

It needs to be about being.

About Transformation, discipleship, loving others, loving God. Building community.

Basically Youth Ministry needs to be about Jesus. About being the church God called us to be!

Currently it has failed as an experiement but there is hope for the future. And for that I am glad and enduring and riding the future of it.

Top 10 Interview Questions to ask as a Youthworker

I've helped with the Hiring of a Youth Worker
.

Then how you can as a youthworker can get hired
.

Even presented the ideas of Why Youth Ministry


Ways to Start Strong


And even reflected back on What I would do differently


And even that of Handling a Forced Exit


Currently I've been thinking of 2 upcoming themes (Including this one) on Top 10 Interview Questions and Knowing when to Leave


So I always get asked what are some interview questions to ask.

Here is a Forum discussion on some questions to ask


Basically here are the Top 10 I would ask:

1. What is the Church like? Demographics, style, who trying to reach, history of the church?

2. What is the youth program like? what style - PDYM, Family, etc.

3. What is the Senior Minister like? Style, reference, how does he work with others etc.

4. What is the Leadership Structure? Is it Ministry teams, committees, staff lead, eldership/deacons what?

5. What is the expectation of the youth minister? Is there a job description, contract? What is expected from the staff, leadership, parents, volunteers, youth?

6. How are evaluations done? What are the goals and objectives of the ministry? How are they measured?

7. What is the future and vision of the church? Of the youth program?

8. What does the package offer? Salary range, benefits, vacation etc.

9. What is the area like? Demographics of the area and households. Is it rural, urban, what is there to help the Kingdom grow?

10. How are the parents, volunteers and students? Is their input saught? How was the interim handled?



Some additional resources to consult:
How to Choose a Youth Pastor by Paul Borthwick
Your First Two Years in Youth Ministry – Doug Fields
Youth Ministry Management Tools – Olson, Elliot and Work.
Group Magazine Nov./Dec 2005 – 2005 Youth Ministry Salary Survey edition.
2006 Compensation Handbook for Church Staff - James F. Cobble & Richard R. Hammar
The Big Book of Job Descriptions – Gospel Light
Things They Didn’t Teach at Bible College but you really need to know about Youth Ministry – Todd Clark
Youth Ministry Handbook – Edward A. Trimmer.

What questions would you add? Any of these you wouldn't ask?

All I ever needed to know about Life I learned from the NHL

1. There is only One Great One!
2. When there is conflict; there will always be a referee
3. Fighting can and will occur often even in the church.
4. Change will come quickly and you may not like it.
5. You get to score ever now and then
6. No one likes a tie game
7. Sudden death either excites you or sends fear!
8. No one team is exactly alike
9. Firing is never easy
10. There will be times of low attendance

Top 10 Reasons Why Youth Workers are Successful

10. Know it is the quality of the Program; not the quantity of youth ...quality brings quantity but not always vice versa.

9. The church supports the youth ministry financially

8. The Senior Pastor is supportive. He was a youthworker once; and has his own reputation at stake!

7. You have great support system of parents

6. Church leadership looks to youth workers to help families and be a leader of leaders to teens and their families

5. Parents see the Youth Ministry as having value and impact in student's lives.

4. Clarity is given in expectations; job description and their is room for creativity as well as accountability.

3. Vision for the church is defined and the role youth ministry will play in that vision!

2. Youthworkers lead a balance life; not burning out; but rather pleasing God and working on their own journeys in the process.

1. They have found great professional training, tools and are lifelonger learners