Hiring a youth pastor

[blessedwife318]

We will avoid that quandary. When I saw the 'churches' doing 'the peanut butter challenge' in their 'youth groups' led by their 'youth pastors' it helped to reinforce my stance. - no youth pastors. All worship together at the worship hour. Yes, sure, there are some 'good ones' out there, but to me it is just like saying a woman is a 'good pastor' in her defense as if that justifies that unbiblical position.

Not to mention that most churches go through youth pastors like they are going out of style. In the 6 years I was youth group age I went through 7 youth leaders. Let's just say that left me very frustrated and a bit cynical about churches in general. By God's grace I'm past that but 18 year olds should not be that cynical about churches.
The other problem is that unless you were like me and also went to "grown up" church you would know no one when you graduated.

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[Jerome]

Here's the verdict of Capitol Hill Baptist Church:

http://9marks.org/mailbag/mailbag-7...ices-or-one-youth-pastors-a-discipline-issue/

Both a “youth pastor” and “youth director” are legitimate. Our church has used the latter of late (though we don’t have the title, I don’t think). But I do think you generally want to have an elder giving oversight to the youth ministry. That doesn’t mean he has to attend events. But the person running the events should report to him, consider teaching material with him, and so forth.

We don’t have a youth pastor right now (though we’ve been considering it). A pastoral assistant presently runs our youth ministry, and one of our staff elders oversees him and the youth ministry, along with his other job responsibilities.

 

[JonC]

Not to mention that most churches go through youth pastors like they are going out of style. In the 6 years I was youth group age I went through 7 youth leaders. Let's just say that left me very frustrated and a bit cynical about churches in general. By God's grace I'm past that but 18 year olds should not be that cynical about churches.
The other problem is that unless you were like me and also went to "grown up" church you would know no one when you graduated.

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My last church was like that (going through youth pastors). I don't know if it was an issue of the right person or simply an issue of an inadequately defined position.

My current church (I've been there about 8 years) has had the same youth pastor for that period of time. He's in his mid to late 40's but has done an outstanding job in the position.

I'm not sure what you mean by "grown up" church. Even our children attend worship service with the congregation (this was true in the last church I spoke of as well). The reason we have a ministry for children and for youth is to work with them in Sunday School, evening study groups (Sun. and Wed. nights) for events geared for that category (VBS, camps, and other activities) and to meet their needs throughout the week. If a church grows to a moderate size congregation, there sometimes comes a time when one pastor cannot personally and effectively meet the needs of his congregation. But my personal experience is limited to only a few churches. Are there many churches which use the youth ministry as a substitute for corporate worship?

 

[blessedwife318]

My last church was like that (going through youth pastors). I don't know if it was an issue of the right person or simply an issue of an inadequately defined position.

My current church (I've been there about 8 years) has had the same youth pastor for that period of time. He's in his mid to late 40's but has done an outstanding job in the position.

I'm not sure what you mean by "grown up" church. Even our children attend worship service with the congregation (this was true in the last church I spoke of as well). The reason we have a ministry for children and for youth is to work with them in Sunday School, evening study groups (Sun. and Wed. nights) for events geared for that category (VBS, camps, and other activities) and to meet their needs throughout the week. If a church grows to a moderate size congregation, there sometimes comes a time when one pastor cannot personally and effectively meet the needs of his congregation. But my personal experience is limited to only a few churches. Are there many churches which use the youth ministry as a substitute for corporate worship?

The church I went to in high school kept the youth separate from thr rest for the church. I think I was the only one that made it over to the sanctuary for the sermon. In large churches in my experience it is the norm to keep all the ages segregated from each other.

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[annsni]

I love our youth pastor. He's been on staff since....well, he could be on staff!! He started as a student, became a student leader, became a pastoral intern and then became a pastor. Through this time, he never wavered from his commitment to youth ministry. He now is married and has three children of his own. When we first started at the church, the youth pastor was amazing and had been my brother's gym teacher at a Christian school back in the 80s. He is now one of our campus pastors so while he did move on from being our youth pastor, he is still on staff and still in contact with many of the former students in youth group. So in the 20 years we've been at the church, we've had two youth pastors and both are still pastors at the church and have been there since before we came!

What I love is the heart for the Lord our youth pastor has and his heart for discipling these kids. He has the kids in small groups, discipleship groups, the large group teaching and encourages the kids to be in ministry in the church. He's feed a lot into my own kids and I appreciate his partnership in bringing up my kids through the rough teen years to be strong in the Lord.

 

[Don]

If the man is not a good fit for that church then I wouldn't encourage the hire. It will only cause strife and division. I don't understand why he would seek the position if he disagrees with the church's theology. I also don't see why the church would entertain hiring someone for such a vital position if he doesn't affirm their beliefs.

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I think you misunderstand. The man coming to be youth pastor is a good fit; John is not.

 

[JonC]

The church I went to in high school kept the youth separate from thr rest for the church. I think I was the only one that made it over to the sanctuary for the sermon. In large churches in my experience it is the norm to keep all the ages segregated from each other.

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Maybe it's a regional thing. I spent my teenage years around the same area. We moved three times and attended a large church each time. But every church I attended we worshiped with the congregation. When we got older we wanted to sit with our friends instead of with our parents. But I never experienced that type of segregation in church (I'll add that I grew up attending SBC congregations). My last church did have a "crying room," which unfortunately was often ignored by a few proud parents.

 

[JonC]

I think you misunderstand. The man coming to be youth pastor is a good fit; John is not.

I may have. He said that he was a good fit for the fundamental church, but at the same time indicated that it was sad he would have to conform to their beliefs. Either way, I suppose it's a "no go" vote. If the man teaches theology that John supports then he doesn't fit the church. If he fits the church then his theology is not something John would support. I don't know that he could vote his conscience regarding proper teaching while supporting the interest of the congregation.

 

[Internet Theologian]

Question: if you, as a pastor, found out one of your church members was posting such things about YOUR church, would you at least consider talking to that person?

Nope. If a person goes to a church that differs in areas with their position, it is up to them to stay or serve there. Saying that a person has to conform to the system of a certain church in order to serve is up to them to do so. They have to live with it.

Many find themselves having to make some sort of small compromise in order to join a certain local church. Some on here have done just that. It is not derogatory, imo, to mention this or allude to this fact.

 

[Don]

I may have. He said that he was a good fit for the fundamental church, but at the same time indicated that it was sad he would have to conform to their beliefs. Either way, I suppose it's a "no go" vote. If the man teaches theology that John supports then he doesn't fit the church. If he fits the church then his theology is not something John would support. I don't know that he could vote his conscience regarding proper teaching while supporting the interest of the congregation.

See post #7.

 

[Internet Theologian]

Not to mention that most churches go through youth pastors like they are going out of style. In the 6 years I was youth group age I went through 7 youth leaders. Let's just say that left me very frustrated and a bit cynical about churches in general. By God's grace I'm past that but 18 year olds should not be that cynical about churches.
The other problem is that unless you were like me and also went to "grown up" church you would know no one when you graduated.

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Some churches want to ask the kids if they think the new youth pastor candidate is 'cool'. Who's running 'the show' here? Answer: It's the pew, not the pulpit, and certainly not the Scriptures.

 

[JonC]

Question: if you, as a pastor, found out one of your church members was posting such things about YOUR church, would you at least consider talking to that person?

It certainly would lean towards a matter of church discipline (not disagreeing with some doctrines but posting about those disagreements).

See post #7.

I took this to mean that the man held to a view closer to Evan's theology than to the churches. But I could very well have misunderstood.

 

[JonC]

Some churches want to ask the kids if they think the new youth pastor candidate is 'cool'. Who's running 'the show' here? Answer: It's the pew, not the pulpit, and certainly not the Scriptures.

I disagree that the church should be run "from the pulpit," but certainly it's direction comes from the pastor. I have attended churches that were "run from the pulpit," which accounted for the lack of growth. But I don't think we mean the same thing when we say "run from the pulpit."

If you don't mind me asking, what in area of the country do you life? This segregation and asking children to pick their pastors seems so odd to me. Is it common among certain denominations or in specific areas/cultures?

 

[Internet Theologian]

Question: if you, as a pastor, found out one of your church members was posting such things about YOUR church, would you at least consider talking to that person?

By the way, what things exactly are you referring to being posted? Things in this thread? Things in a past thread, concerning your disagreements with evangelist6589 past postings, or current things posted? I'm trying to find out what exactly the disagreement is here.

Then there is this caveat: If the person were naming names, the exact church, pastor's name et al and slandering these on a forum that may be a different thing. But this is not that.

In all due respect I think much ado is being made out of not much. It appears for all practical purposes that to 'pile on' evangelist6589 is a sport to some.

Not everyone agrees with all things taught in their church. It's normal. I belonged to a church that preached that no matter how you live, if you prayed a prayer sincerely you're going to heaven. I suppose I should be lambasted over such a thing, bringing it up on a forum and all, because I vehemently disagree with that error.

 

[Internet Theologian]

I disagree that the church should be run "from the pulpit," but certainly it's direction comes from the pastor. I have attended churches that were "run from the pulpit," which accounted for the lack of growth. But I don't think we mean the same thing when we say "run from the pulpit."

If you don't mind me asking, what in area of the country do you life? This segregation and asking children to pick their pastors seems so odd to me. Is it common among certain denominations or in specific areas/cultures?

Right, I don't think a church should be run from the pulpit either, but at the same time the pulpit should not be controlled by the church as long as truth is being expounded. Take that for what it's worth.

The scenario I am referring to has happened both in the Eastern US and also in the midwest, more often in the latter, and always among IFB's.

 

[JonC]

Right, I don't think a church should be run from the pulpit either, but at the same time the pulpit should not be controlled by the church as long as truth is being expounded. Take that for what it's worth.

The scenario I am referring to has happened both in the Eastern US and also in the midwest, more often in the latter, and always among IFB's.

Thanks. Like I said, I think that we agree about the pulpit thing (I've also been in churches where a few in the pew ran the church.....they actually owned the land that the church sat).

I've never attended an IFB church, not really because of any issue of doctrine but simply because we've always settled in a good SBC church (...and 'cause Paul was a Southern Baptist...not Paul Washer....although he is....but the other Paul ). Seriously, though, thanks for the information. I am not as familiar with IFB churches as I would like to be (partly because I assume they are as diverse as the SBC).

 

[evangelist6589]

By the way, what things exactly are you referring to being posted? Things in this thread? Things in a past thread, concerning your disagreements with evangelist6589 past postings, or current things posted? I'm trying to find out what exactly the disagreement is here.

Then there is this caveat: If the person were naming names, the exact church, pastor's name et al and slandering these on a forum that may be a different thing. But this is not that.

In all due respect I think much ado is being made out of not much. It appears for all practical purposes that to 'pile on' evangelist6589 is a sport to some.

Not everyone agrees with all things taught in their church. It's normal. I belonged to a church that preached that no matter how you live, if you prayed a prayer sincerely you're going to heaven. I suppose I should be lambasted over such a thing, bringing it up on a forum and all, because I vehemently disagree with that error.

Yes piling on me is a sport to some and I am unable to defend myself and say what I normally would say in response.

 

[Internet Theologian]

Yes piling on me is a sport to some and I am unable to defend myself and say what I normally would say in response.

You'll be alright bro, just don't do the rabbit thing anymore, you know that wasn't right. Several here want to pile it on you, they like what they deem an easy target and seek you out. Take the high road (Christian responses) to attacks.

 

[evangelist6589]

You'll be alright bro, just don't do the rabbit thing anymore, you know that wasn't right. Several here want to pile it on you, they like what they deem an easy target and seek you out. Take the high road (Christian responses) to attacks.

I have BW on ignore and the others I just ignore their garbage posts.

 

[blessedwife318]

I have BW on ignore and the others I just ignore their garbage posts.

You know I think you should either talk to people that have upset you or stop publicly saying that they are on ignore. The Christian response is to deal with an offended brother, not make sure that everyone knows they are on ignore. Just a little food for thought.

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