How long is long enough to be involved in youth ministry? Do you need to step out of youth ministry when you get to a certain stage of life? At a PYV training event last week, we were encouraged to believe that there are a number of stages in youth ministry, and we can survive them all.
Tim Hawkins, a youth leader who has decades of experience, was able to consider the great strengths that leaders in all the stages bring to youth ministry, as well as facing up to the weaknesses that we all have.
Briefly, the five stages can be summarised as:
One of the gang
You are pretty much the same age as some of the youth under your care. This means you understand the culture really well and have plenty of energy. But it also means it can be difficult talking with the parents of teenagers or bringing discipline to the group.
Big Brother / Sister
Now you're a few years older than the youth, so you're probably in your early twenties here. It's a stage of life that you are approachable to teenagers, and you have some extra money and time. You're also working out what your life is going to be, and you might be questioning your role in youth ministry at this stage.
Aunt / Uncle
At this point you are twice the age of some of the youth, and you have more life experience. You should also have a better understanding of faith and Bible by now. You're probably also busy with your own career and family, and if you are still involved in youth ministry, you're likely to be wondering if you're too old. My answer to that is "no". In fact, you're reaching a critical point that's worth pushing through.
Parent
With children of your own, you are able to understand what is happening for the lives of teenagers AND for their parents. This is, is my opinion, the 'golden era' to be involved in youth ministry. If you started at the "One of the Gang" stage, then you now have more than 15 years experience. At this stage you can build a great team of younger leaders to learn from you. I know you're tired, but don't give up!
Grandparent
At this stage, you are possibly older than some of the parents of the youth involved in your youth ministry. And you might find it difficult to relate to the culture the youth are growing up in. You probably hate their music and wonder why they never put their phones down. That's ok. They're wondering why you listen to talk-back radio and why you don't use snapchat. But at this stage you bring enormous life and faith experience to young people. You are an encouragement to them and to the younger leaders. I would also suggest that if you are at this stage, you want to make sure you're not on your own. You need some younger leaders around you.
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| Tim Hawkins and Brian Harvey |
I am now in my late forties. (Hard to believe, I know, but there it is.) I have been involved in youth ministry in one way or another since I joined the youth group at the Salvation Army in Hawthorn when I was 13. I want whoever reads this to know that long-term youth ministry is not only possible, it is beneficial. It is beneficial both for you and for the youth you work with.
If you are involved in ministry to youth now, I'd like to urge you to reconsider your finishing date. I know that not everyone will still be involved when they are 40 or older, but teenagers need to have some people of this age involved. It could be you.
