Needed: Youth Pastors, Music ministers, Children’s church workers…. In my area there seems to be a shortage of called, trusted, enthusiastic church workers like those mentioned above. Many of the churches in my area are smaller and could desparately use these types of workers. If you find one of these workers, often times they want a ton of money to come and stay at these small churches.
Wayne is bringing up an unfortunate reality in our American church. I agree with famousflavious that some youth pastors have been treated poorly. However, those cases are usually in larger churches that are paying and making big demands. Almost every pastor I know does everything possible to take care of a youth pastor who volunteers or works for a small compensation package.I believe the root of the issue is very shallow message that has permeated our churches. People are told that they can just say the sinners prayer, be sorry for his/her sins without repentance from sin (a decision to make a lifestyle change) and get a ticket to heaven. Often the drinking, drugs, sex issues, stealing etc. are thought of as the sins of the bad sinners. Few people understand the need to repent from selfishness, greed, being lovers of pleasure etc. Therefore, the law of supply and demand comes into play. If I am a talented musician who maintains an acceptable lifestyle many churches need me. Unfortunately, we have developed a church culture that causes many people to seek out music that makes one feel good rather than picking a church with accountability, sound doctrine and the challenge to grow spiritually, surrendering one’s life to Christ.Another issue I see in many different areas that hinders people giving time and money to the church is that the WWII generation (and their children) that sacrificed for others have passed away or are too old to help. Often the 50-70 year-old crowd are helping elderly parents or running themselves ragged taking care of grandchildren, great-grandchildren and adult children who haven’t taken responsibility in family situations or in the church.
I use to be a youth pastor for about 12 years before I started pastoring. I understand your comment about being used and abused as my father in law was my pastor. I did everything from mopping floors to running wire for sound to fixing roofs to driving the van but I didn’t mind doing all those things.
It seems to me that workers must be raised up from within the local church if at all possible. Having pastored small congregations all of my ministry, and having seen my father and grandfather likewise pastor small-to-medium-sized congregations (from 25to 200 in Sun morning attendance), I can say that unless the small church has some very generous givers with a lot of money, they are very unlikely to ever find someone willing to move very far to where their church is for little or no salary. And the simple fact is, most small churches simply cannot afford to pay anyone besides their pastor, if they can pay anyone at all. So without volunteers being raised up from within the local body, small churches are unlikely to get workers to move to their church in order to volunteer.
I agree with that statement but I wonder if we aren’t missing something. Please don’t take that statement wrong. Is there something we are not doing as a collective group that is not fostering the birthing of these kinds of workers?I’ve had some say, we abuse these people and I agree with that because I have been there. We don’t respect these people because they are just over the youth. or just over the singing. But all pastors know, you need good music and any growing church knows you need youth workers.
Used and abused is pretty rough. If you’re getting paid, then you’re not getting used and abused. We recently hired a youth pastor, and in that process I told him that I need a Swiss Army Knife. I don’t ant someone that does one job really well, but rather someone that can take on whatever is thrown their way. I don’t have the finances to hire a bunch of specialists – and I don’t think we’d want that anyway. I want someone that is a capable (and growing) leader who will work their tail off every single day. I ask a lot of our staff…and I’m about to ask more as we wade through the aftermath of Hurricane Irma. We’re in a RIPE season in our town right now, and we’re going to sweat buckets working that harvest. If the staff can’t (or won’t) work like crazy in a prime harvest season, then they can find a place to work that cares less for the harvest.
Exactly what I am talking about. This is the people we need in these positions. In all positions there are times when you feel used and abused but as I stated, I didn’t mind doing everything else.
I agree with famous flavius on this. I was one of those used, abused, youth pastors. I served on staff on one of the states top churches. I think many on here would actually be surprised at what a compensation package looks like at one these churches that many aspire to work at. The fact of the matter is, senior Pastors need to realize that youth pastors have families too. They have kids that need health insurance & should not just be considered employees of the church but people who also need shepherding in their own family. Especially when life-tragedies happen. Whats very typical in many of the larger churches is the Senior Pastor has full health benefits, large salary & some have multiple businesses on the side. Many don’t stay true to office hours but require their staff to be at the office from 8-5
A young couple graduates with a college degree from Lee University. They go to the COG ministry opportunity page and send out some resumes. A small church offers them a part time opportunity with a $250.00 per week salary. They are told that when the church grows they will be taken care of but in the mean time everybody has to sacrifice. The youth pastor has to get a secular job with a youth pastor degree so he ends up delivering pizza or driving a school bus or driving for Uber so he can buy groceries and pay rent. In the mean time he is expected to give 150% effort. Wednesday nights, Sunday nights, trips, activities, visits, and whatever the pastor deems necessary. Six months go by and the church has grown, the Senior pastor gets a raise, the building project is taking more money than expected and the youth pastor gets sacrificed on the altar of the religious machine. The youth pastor gets a job selling insurance or used cars and blocks the whole thing out of his mind like a bad dream.
A local person who feels his ministry is to work with the youth begins leading the youth ministry. He is very involved and giving. Later on, the church is able to provide some monetary compensation to the youth minister (but not a supporting salary). Then the pastor brings in a professional, someone who has gone to seminary or Bible school to lead the youth ministry. Suddenly the local person is no longer the youth leader.
There is an alternative to the madness of the machine. Its not for everybody but it works for the group of belivers where I currently attend. We do not have any programs. Parents understand that it is their responsibility to raise their children. We provide prayers, support and encouragment but no organized programs. Everyone meets together on Sunday mornings including babies and teenagers and everything in between. Most of the parents with little ones sit in the back with their strollers and blankets and sippy cups. If their child gets cranky they take them out of the room untill they quiet down. We let visitors know up front how we operate and if they are not comfortable with it then that’s ok, we are not a fit for everybody and there are plenty of other good churches in the area that provide childcare.
This is the only logical path for the small congregation. As far as I can remember In my younger years the pastor was the only one who received a ‘salary’ from the local church until they reached a level of 400 in church.in the rare occasion a musical director was compensated________________Some facts but mostly just my [email protected]/
I remember my dad’s advice:Don’t expect a salary, but owe no one and God’s people will feed you. If you decide in this direction your reward is going to be in heaven not here. I thought I was called of God and He would provide. I helped my pastor C.H. MAtthews sell pies most every week to support the Biloxi Church. Jail ministry or Old folks ministry I was ready. Evidently God understood I was misled, and ignorant and did look after me. I never heard of a ‘package’, I didn’t care I wanted a place to minister and I got that. My family had no insurance, life or health. I believed God would take care of me and my family. HE did, even thought I was wrong. I paid HIM back by deserting Him.I am old, but I know life is different. One man on this forum later pastored the same church I did, he could not have been looking for a ‘package’ but for a place to minister.. I know the world is different. I have no idea what I would do today, if I were in the ministry.Our (fundamental Christian) colleges put out thousands of ‘dreamers’ every year, Looking for that place to work for the Lord. I was a Veteran of the USMC & USAF, a HS drop out but with a burning desire to serve the LORD. I cannot imagine working my way thru 4 years of college and facing what the kids are facing today. I would not know WHAT TO SAY to someone graduating after 4 years of study. Then looking for THAT spot where they can GROW and produce. I worry for them unless their dad has a place for them. I might have a little sarcastic hint here, but just a little. ________________Some facts but mostly just my [email protected]/
That is an interesting approach. Reminds me of how it was when I was a young child. We didn’t have childrens church or classes other than sunday school. I remember once looking out the side window of the sanctuary as the preacher was preacher and wondering why is this man yelling at me, I don’t even understand what he is saying.
I was called to ministry sitting on a sunday school pew. I stepped into youth ministry at the age of 17 and always felt like that was my call until I was moved to pastoring. I agree with these people should be home grown and a truly called individual is the preferred candidate but why are we not seeing more called people moving into these roles.
[quote=That is an interesting approach. Reminds me of how it was when I was a young child. We didn’t have childrens church or classes other than sunday school. I remember once looking out the side window of the sanctuary as the preacher was preacher and wondering why is this man yelling at me, I don’t even understand what he is saying. If it’s working…[/quote]
Hey something worked, just look at yourself, you are called, equipped and serving.[/quote]
I like that and if I lived nearby I would like to visit!
I have to smile at that. Our oldest Grandson was visiting us many years ago, naturally we took him to church while he was here. In one service he pulled on my shirt sleeve and asked, Why is he yelling at us???________________Some facts but mostly just my [email protected]/