Staying Strong When Old in Youth Ministry

Mark Oestreicher, the youth ministry guru formerly from Youth Specialties has some cool new adventures with his new company, the Youth Cartel. His blog, whyismarko.com is still an excellent resource when it comes to conversations about church, ministry, and family. On a recent post, he reflects on a response letter he wrote concerning longevity in youth ministry. He wrote ten (actually 12) things that we as youth workers can do to sustain sanity in this thing called youth ministry. Many of these have become reality for myself as I surpass 19 years working with youth:


1. embrace humility. ask people to hold you accountable to this.
2. have intentional conversations with youth workers who have stayed in one church for 10 years or more. seek their input.
3. make a list of the reasons why longevity is valuable. pull it out and read it from time to time.
4. get over yourself. you are not god’s secret weapon or only option.
5. ruthlessly develop intimacy with jesus. only when you are deeply connected with jesus will you be able to set aside your ego and weather the temptations to move on.
6. remind yourself regularly that your calling does not come from people, but from god.
7. decide how you will measure your success. bad measures of success = a big program, lots of ego strokes, buzz, impressive numbers. good measures of success = the faith of former teenagers when they’re in their 20s or 30s (and only longevity allows you to really see that).
8. consider the cost to your church, the teenagers you serve, your family, and your own soul of constantly looking over the fence for something “better”.
9. eschew power. power corrupts your calling, and falsely inflates your sense of importance.
10. value faithfulness over influence.
oh, and #11: cultivate a life outside of youth ministry
how about an even dozen? #12: be ruthless about establishing and honoring a sustainable rhythm of silence and solitude.

Here are some of my personal notes:

1. This is maybe the most essential part of making it through the first five years
2. I never had a "mentor" or model for youth ministry. When I was young, nothing was intentional unless it made me look better. I am still looking for older mentors to share wisdom about ministry and what it means to be a leader in the church.
3. I have never made this list.
4. I think I got over myself as a savior of kids when I was working part-time as a youth pastor at a church in SE Portland while I finished seminary. I worked with a group of students who challenged and humbled. I never could have survived that time if not for the grace and power of God.
5. I have had moments of this intimacy with Jesus. I don't know if I would describe it as intimacy.
6. See #4
7. After a decade of ministry, it is so true that the fruits of labor are part of seeing young people grow into young adults. Leading weddings has been one of the greatest ways to celebrate "success."
8. I have to admit, I looked for something better each and every year I have served. Fortunately, doors were closed and I was kept in churches where I needed to be. I tried bigger churches, but I was never qualified. Not being qualified for bigger churches is my new badge of honor.
9. Power is a deadly thing is this business. In the hands of a 20-something it can be down right scary. In the hands of a 30-something it is down right confusing. In the hands of a 40...oh wait, I have until July to finish that sentence.
10. I love this quote...it is a solid nugget of truth
11. Yes, getting married and having children is one of the greatest things that can happen to anybody. It should force youth workers to shift priorities and schedules.
12. I love being alone..I love walking alone..I love walking alone when it is silent.