On Monday, I start my new position as Minister for Youth & Young Adults at Asbury United Methodist Church. I’m excited, and also a little nervous about getting back into ministry. I know I’ve grown a lot and learned a ton since I was last doing youth ministry, but I’m still a little overwhelmed by the responsibility and privilege that comes with working with students.
Obviously, one of the first things I want to do is just start getting to know the students, the volunteer leaders and the church community. But other than that, I’m really just beginning now to think about “What do I want to do first…?” I’ve been told by numerous people to “blow up the program” and start from scratch. But, we all know how well that eventually works out in a church setting. And one of the rules I was always taught in seminary was to make very small, minor changes and do that very slowly. So, it will be my challenge to negotiate those two lines and figure out what I think should be blown up and what is important to keep.
For those of you who are in ministry right now (particularly youth/young adult ministry), what are the things that you would do in your first month of ministry? What is the first thing you’d do? Obviously, relationships are key – and beginning to develop those. But, what are the important first things to do as I begin? When I first started youth ministry in Idaho four years ago, the first thing I did was pick a name for the youth group and made t-shirts. I’m guessing that’s not the most important thing to do – so…what would you do?
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Having been in your position a year ago, here is my advice based on my limited experience: I would take the first month and listen a lot. I’d get a feel for the new culture of your church and community, meeting with every volunteer and listening to their story and how they view ministry. It’s connected to what you said about building relationships, but being intentional about understanding the culture requires a bit more evaluation. It’s taking a step back and trying to see what is really happening within the church, what is going well, what has been neglected, what’s unhealthy, and what needs to change. I didn’t make any significant changes for the first few months. It proved to be difficult because I inherited a ministry model/philosophy that I didn’t agree with. But it made a difference when I did start making changes; the youth and volunteers felt like their voice could be heard because I had taken the time to listen, and so trust was built and people were on board with the direction we were heading.
On a more practical level, get everyone’s cell phone number in your contacts and text students periodically.
Not the most profound advice, but hope that helps.
I’d like to speak in opposition of the “don’t change too much too soon rule.” I think it makes a lot of sense if you are a solo or a senior pastor working with fairly established congregations. If you’re an associate, working with a dysfunctional group or a non-established group, I think you often have a window in your first few months of ministry to capitalize on the excitement that your arrival might cause. Of course, if you don’t do some analysis of your situation, that could backfire, but I do think that people miss an opportunity in those first few months that sometimes doesn’t come back around for a while. Some things I wouldn’t change right away: long standing traditions, start and end times, adult sponsors (i.e. subtracting the ones that need to go).
I’m currently an associate whose primary responsibility is Young Adult ministry. What I found in my church when I arrived is that though there were a surprising number of young adults in our congregation (25-45 is our largest population and 60% of our new members over the last two years have been in their twenties or thirties), they didn’t know each other (nor was their impression that a lot of young adults went to the church). One of the first things I did, then, was to host an open house at my place and send out hand written invitations to about sixty of them.
It also extremely useful to set your parameters in terms of age. I ended up going with the ‘twenties and thirties’ tag and publishing that fairly widely (sadly, I wish it weren’t so, nothing kills a twenty three year olds comfort level at a young adult event like a fifty year old single man who still thinks of himself as young.)
This, of course, brings up the subdivisions in young adult ministry. There’s the right out of college (or in college), the young married, the young married with children, the had children very early and don’t think of myself as a young adult thirty four year olds, etc. If you think of young adults as one group, you’ll probably have more trouble. This isn’t to say that you don’t want these folks to interact but they don’t always have an immediate affinity for each other. You might find that you gain traction with one particular group very quickly and then have to target the other groups afterward.
The last bit of advice I might offer is this: youth and young adult ministries (in my experience) are quite different from each other.
So, what would I do (on the young adult side): host an open house, try to meet one person a day for coffee or lunch, and set up a blog/e-newsletter.
Ditto to the other responses. Some practical matters I learned in my short years as a youth minister pre-seminary. Know the law in your state about reporting suicidal youth or young adults. There are places you can get in a lot of trouble for not reporting folks who are a danger to themselves or others. I know it sounds extreme, but I’m on the ‘Be Prepared’ side of things. I’d also consider meeting/introducing yourself to school principals, coaches, etc. who are in the lives of your students. Make yourself known in the community. Also, remember to take care of yourself too. Connect with other associates for youth, campus ministers, young ministers, etc. These folks can be a huge source of help and support for you. Blessings Adam!
Karen
I’ve never been an official youth minister, but I’ve worked with a number, some of whom have done a great job and some of whom struggled badly. I think you’ve got a tough job ahead of you: youth ministry isn’t easy. I think whether you want to move slowly or quickly depends on how successful your predecessor was. If he (or she) was well liked, and the program is going well, you’ll probably want to move slowly. But if your predecessor struggled or left under bad circumstances, I think you’ll probably want to take advantage of a certain window of opportunity. Especially in youth programs, what people really want to see is a sense of movement and excitement: they want someone in charge who can inspire kids and get them excited. To do that, you need to be humble as all get out, and still be willing to take risks. I think you can get away with a lot, especially early on, if you preface everything with, “I have no idea if this will work, but I’m thinking about …”
I like what Joel said about finding out about the culture there. I think that is key. This is done by connecting with key staff members at the church and the key volunteers in your area of ministry. You want to have support around you and only they can give it to you from the beginning.
Good thoughts above. Another thing that will gain you major points with the congregation is to establish yourself as a clear and coherent communicator. Learn very quickly what communication avenues are the most “high yield” and start using them regularly. As much as you may hate it, being all Web 2.0 and all, sometimes postcards and letters through snail-mail are the best ways to communicate certain things. So, just make sure that it is always clear what is going on and that people know where they can go to find information and when they can expect to receive that information on a regular basis.
On that note, I have found websites and blogs to be very unproductive forms of communication with parents and youth in the ministry. A facebook page will most likely be the best form of online communication for people already in your ministry. A traditional website, in my experience, is good only for the new person, a visitor, or someone who is googling for a church and comes across the site. But once people get ingrained into the community, they will likely stop using the website. So, keep that in mind before you start designing a new youth and/or young adult website.
I think all of the stuff so far is helpful. I would take the advice of getting to know coaches, principles and the like a step further and get into the schools of your youth (this can be tricky based on passed youth folks totally unrelated to you). What I did was meet with the principles tell them who I am and what I am about (i.e. I am new I would like to get to know my kids). They are generally pretty receptive if you can assuage their fears that you are coming to convert the student population.
Also, I made sure I made myself known to the entire congregation. I asked to be in worship leadership pretty quickly, I spoke at the monthly men’s breakfast, I visited the quilters, women’s group. I know that I am much more extroverted so that helped, but if not only the parents but the congregation can see who you are and that you are passionate it is helpful in the long run.
Also, find out about mandatory reporting stuff for the Methodist and the BoO and the state.
I hate this overused sentiment but “it is all about relationships”
Greg
listen, listen, listen! to stories, complaints, wishes, dreams, what they love about the program/lack thereof now, what they used to love, what didn’t work, what might work now that you’re here, what they’d be willing to do to help you get started.
and, get contact info for everyone from church database, predecessor’s files, volunteers’ memory, wherever.
and, get a group of people (a committee, if you will:)) to help you make decisions / back you up if people don’t like them. plus, it takes pressure off you to do everything yourself and helps folks take ownership of all the lovely things you’ll help them do.
blessings!
the FIRST thing i would do is evaluate the ministries to determine what purpose they serve and ask your youth volunteers to assess where the youth are in their walk with christ. i use the web of discipleship by mike selleck. if you want a copy of it to look at, shoot me an email. i’ve got it in pdf format.
This might be cynical, but I think one of the most importatn things you can do is figure out who you need on your side in order for changes to work. These people may or may not have an official title. I’m not saying you have to be their puppet and only do changes they would approve of, but you do have to pay more attention to how they are processing what you want to do.
It’s a little thing, but make sure that the church is paying for your cell phone plan. Our youth pastor pays for his own plan which doesn’t include unlimited texting….ummmm, big problem there! So yeah, maybe you could get another iphone out of the deal lol
how exciting, adam, congrats! i agree with everything that’s been offered so far…so, this might be redundant:
1. lots of one-on-one’s and small group coffee/coke outings with kids
2. 5 different forms of communication with kids/parents [text, fb, emails, postcards, bulletins, verbal announcements, etc.]
3. articulating your ministry philosophy right away …though i think it does get refined throughout the process of getting to know this particular community and culture.
4. reading the photo directory a few times!
5. embrace the awkwardness that’s inevitable in the beginning
6. ask good questions
7. have fun, be silly, be yourself.
pretty cliche, but i think effective!
1. Listen…..and do some more listening without pontificating my opinions and my beautiful theology.
2. Assessment. What is the church culture like? What are key qualities that define the church? What are the strong values? Who has the power? What families are the most influential? What are the needs of the students?
3. A lot of hang out. Be normal
4. Make a socio-gram. Map out who is friends with who. (both for families and students)
5. Be aware of the parents that want to be your friend right away!
6. Come in with no expectations and expect it will take a good two years to really feel really get settled
7. Live in the honeymoon stage!!!! Take as many free lunches as possible because the church politics and drama will be coming!
8. Try to meet with the lead/senior pastor once a week.
9. Expect a few kids to tell you why they do not like you and why you are NOT like the other youth pastor
10. Get a facebook and make a facebook youth group.
Addressing just youth (i.e. jr and sr high) ministry:
One thing I don’t see explicitly in the comments is to get to know all the stakeholders in the situation. The youth are obvious, but their parents, the volunteers, the church board and the church staff are all vital. The worst thing you could do is perpetuate youth ministry as a ministry apart. Look for opportunities to involve youth in the life of the church.
Above all, get the parents and volunteers on the same page and use their support as much as you can to leverage your time.
One thing professional youth ministers overlook is that tenures are short – even a successful tenure may last only four years or so, which is just enough time to see one high school class from start to finish – the blink of an eye in the life of a congregation.
Consider this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primum_non_nocere
“First, do no harm.”
“Since at least 1860, the phrase has been for physicians a hallowed expression of hope, intention, humility, and recognition that human acts with good intentions may have unwanted consequences.”
Blowing up a program is rarely the best way to serve the church if you don’t plan on being there for a long time – build on what’s there that’s good and encourage the bad to die out naturally.
Above all – work to create an environment where, when you leave (as you will), you pass on something worth keeping.
Dittos to all of the above.
One important thing is to be around. Make sure you are there every Sunday, and most of the weekday events, especially for the first three months. Don’t come in and say “I’ve got this wedding to do, and this convference I’ve paid for, …” Be careful with your Marin connection, it wil be easy for someone to see that as your “primary” community, and Asbury as your “red-headed stepchild”, or meal ticket. I’m not saying that’s your agenda, just be aware that might come up.
As noted, youth ministry and young adults are two different critters. For the youth, they have no great denominational ties, so a few youth groups in town will be popular – and each will have a demographic. Figure out where you are in the whole mix of Livermore youth groups. Often, one church will have a popular, charismatic, trendy couple heading it up and the other groups will have a sub-demographic. Try to meet with some of the other local youth pastors (and young adult pastors).
Young adults is really two ministries – marrieds and singles. And each further subdivides – mariieds with kids, marrieds without. Singles split into college-educated and blue collar as well as single-single, divorced, single parents, etc. And, in some places, singles living with mom and dad versus singles in their own places. There’s a half dozen demographics, and your church will have some, but not all of them.
The singles will be like the youth – they have choices, only they can pick other churches all over the Tri-Valley, as well as Castro Valley, Fremont and Walnut Creek. And each group has a demographic, and they tend to be “ranked”. Singles groups often become dating pools, that’s a paradigm that needs to be managed.
The Tri-Valley has a tiered structure – one third of the people work locally, one third go to Silicon Valley and one third commute to San Francisco. As a result, community is “weak” and civic-mindedness is rare. On top of that, the two largest employers (who would normally provide some corporate-style vision and leadership education) have spotty reputations. The UMC takes a strong stand on racism, that may pose some challenges at the local level?
I’m currently finishing my 3rd month with a new youth ministry. Like many others have said, build relationships, hang out, listen. Also, get to know parents and listen to their hopes and dreams. If the relationship part comes easily (which it probably will), then focus a fair bit of time making sure that parents, elders, the powers that be understand and appreciate your philosophy of ministry.
And lastly, START SLOW. Make sure you take your sabbath and spend time with your wife. Make sure that you turn off your phone and computer occasionally. In the beginning, it is really easy to do to much, to try to be everywhere. Good luck!!
Shalom,
Mike
this is such a great feed of info…. I’m gonna have to file this away for later use :)
be a non-anxious presence.
I have been a full time youth pastor for nearly a year now. I minister in a hard community to minister… an army community. It is difficult because the divorce rate is terrible almost 80%, and most teens including church teens are or have been sexuality active 60%. When I first got here, I got to know the Church staff. You must develop a vision for your ministry that lines up with that of the Church. You must be a team player. I meet with my Senior Pastor once a week. Also, I did a lot of prayer. The more I prayed, the more the Holy Spirit showed me about the direction I was to go in. After two weeks, I changed the youth ministries name. I gave them a new identity. I also made t shirts for them and took them out to Acquire the Fire.I also spent a whole month developing adult and student leaders. We met on Saturday nights for a one hour leadership session. I fed them the vision God had given me and then I motivated them to bring their friends. I also gave them free food. I did lock ins, small groups and I even wrestled in a pool full of jello in the month of December. At six months, I evaluated my leaders and I raised the bar when it came to character issues and spiritual growth. I cut some student and adult leaders and now I have a solid core leadership team that is faithful. I empower my leaders to multiply themselves into others. We have tripled the size of the teens we minister to in this very hard community to reach out to. Some great advice: Let God move. Get out of the way. This is bigger than you. Allow the Holy Spirit to be poured out upon you and allow His power to change you and your family. Lead by example. Pray and fast like crazy. Focus on your spouse too. Family comes before ministry always. Happy wife, happy life. Involve your wife in ministry too. They are your better half. Finally, focus on your strengths and delegate your weak areas like administration to your faithful leaders or to your spouse. And don’t forget… never give rides to members of the opposite sex home by yourself. Use common sense.
Hey Adam, saw you at the Brian’s EMC in the Bronx back in May.
Appreciated everyone’s input. Whole-heartedly agree with relationship building. In addition to the students, sit down with the leaders, and various parents. Not only do they help their students shape the impression they will have of you but they are probably more concerned then the students are as to who you actually are. They have high expectations, they may have had input in hiring you, etc. But as others mentioned, listening to their stories and their favorite student min. stories are very important.
Practical things,
Yes to the lists. Every phone no., email etc. Also, big fan of the facebook page.
This is my second church and one thing that I did better this time was organizing my filing cabinet. My personal life is online and more digitally accessible. But in ministry, paper is still an issue. I had too many catch-all folders and it was so frustrating to find the stupid pieces of camp literature that was sent to me months ago. Now I have a file called, “stupid camp stuff”. (It’s next to the file called, “remind me why I’m here” which is currently filled with 3 thank you cards and a used starbucks gift card. In fact, it was given to me used, but I was blessed by the thought. Not really true but the truth regarding my filing cabinet is far less interesting.) Try to start filing correctly now because falling behind is not as easy as writing your master’s dissertation.
Also, consider going to the YS Conference. I get a lot out of them from learning new things to being reminded of important matters, encouragement. Also, the exhibition center has been a great thing for me. The closest one to you is Sacremento this year. (I’m going to Pittsburgh if anyone wants to grab a beer or coffee. Also, if you are coming from the jersey, eastern pa area and want to ride with us, I’m taking a church van, let me know.)
So relationships, lists, and filing cabinets.
Best wishes Adam.
the first month; i would identify the key players within the ministry and try and meet with them. I would also attempt to meet with all the seniors at once (might be the only time you see them) and ask them what has been important to the life of the ministry. I would also begin to draft ministry objectives and learning goals for the next 7 years. Then maybe make those t-shirts….
I’m going on a year and a half.
I wouldn’t trade my experiences as a youth minister for anything in this world. All these great advices are useful in so many ways. But something I only saw once in the comments that I want to add. Don’t forget your “first love”. Jesus may be calling you to ministry but don’t let the job of the ministry separate and distract you from spending time with your Lord and Savior. Blessings on you and the ministry…
In His Mighty Grip,
Chris
A ton of comments, but heres my advice after almost 6 years of youth pastoring experience. FIRST you MUST gain the trust of the parents and students. whats the dream and share it with the class get them involved. Worship teach them the how, when, where, and WHO. Find you core demographic, attract them, KEEP them. (who are you going to reach again?) heres my plan for any new youth group leader or youth pastor
1. mission statement
2. Core values (worship, word, fellowship ect. find what important to your group)
3. list of ideas on how to attract them and keep them
4. meet with parents/students, share with them 1&2
5. make a goal and how to reach it
6. continue to show them you care about THEM and their life, and that so does GOD.
86% of teens in america will graduate and never come back to church (last american census)
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