Hey, I’m Just a Youth Pastor!
- Posted by: Todd
- Posted on: Tue, November 21, 2006
- Viewed 65
- (4) comments so far
In this convesation it was used to justify not wanting to go to board meetings, not wanting to do all the administration that goes with the the job. It was used to justify not talking to some people in the congregation when they wanted a piece of time or a listening ear. I’m just a youth pastor - I don’t have time to deal with the church’s concerns as a whole. I’m just a youth pastor - I don’t need to figure out what the rest of the church is doing. I’m just a youth pastor - I can’t do a devotional at everything - it takes too much time away from the relationships with the kids.
In my mind they’re all excuses - I had to say “Michael, - if you aren’t a pastor in God’s church - not meeting the roles and qualifications in Timothy - then you have no right to be a pastor at all - youth or otherwise.” You see, the conversatin was with myself, using excuses I never thought I’d use to justify not doing things I usually like to do (except maybe the board meetings.)
My perspective got blown out of the water - only to be humbly put back in place - not by me - but by my own youth! I realized I was a pastor - a shepherd - because of an amazing gift gven to me by my youth. They made a DVD with a humorous video - they PAID out of their own pockets and got a substantial gift certificate to a restaurant in town (more than we could use) AND arranged to feed our kids and take them to the local poool for the evening. And they did it as a group. What made me realize I was a pastor was the Lord being faithful and seeing the sheep doing what was talked about.
My excuses for the rest evaporated as I realize once again what I do in all areas is an example to be set - a life to be lived - not only for my selfish desires but for God’s demonstration. I was humbled because they put their faith, their money and their time on the line - and lived their faith at a time when I didn’t feel like doing the same.
I’m not just a youth pastor - I am called to be a pastor to the youth - and God’s church. To lead the sheep. I’m thankful “I” didn’t win that argument last week. I’m even thankful the sheep led the shepherd last week. But I’m also humbled - let’s hope I stay that way this time!
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Michael Kowalson has been married for twelve years and is the father of four daughters. Currently, Michael is the Youth Pastor of The Nelson/Balfour/Junction Covenant Church in British Columbia, Canada.
It was a conversation last week where that popped up. That "JUST a youth pastor" part has always struck a difficult chord with me. The line "I'm JUST" anythign is often used as an excuse not to do what a person knows they should.
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Brian Hennon on Tue, November 21, 2006
Amen Michael! All too often, we (youth pastors) complain about not getting respect. We whine about not being viewed as equals in the church. Sadly, we have dug the hole ourselves. We have used the “I’m just a youth pastor” as a get-out-of-responsibility-card and we have spent far too much time being just another kid in the youth group rather than the adult God has called to LEAD the kids in our youth groups.
Gman on Tue, November 21, 2006
Sometimes it is the Youth pastor whose ministry is helping leading ans casting the future Vision of the Church. You should be viewed as a co-pastor and also recognize the administration of that ministry helps give direction to the church as a whole. The Youth pastor isn’t just a pastor to youth, but to families and has an eternal impact. Most people become Christians before 18; and so the ministry you do ..helps plant seeds and gives Hope. Hang in there.
RevJeff on Sat, November 25, 2006
Amen Gman. Youth ministry often leads the church into a new vision. By their nature teens are surrounded by changes. They aren’t freaked out by the word like most adults or BOARDS! Teens are natural risk takers and have an inherent HOPE for the future built into their DNA.
So, as the YOUTH pastor… Which I was for almost fifteen years… INCREASE your influence in the rest of the church by attending those meetings, have the difficult conversations, and start casting the vision of what Christ says we should look like.
Give ‘em heaven!
Rev. Rene' Winfree on Tue, July 24, 2007
YOU ARE RIGHT ON MY BROTHER!! EVERYONE IN THE CHURCH THINKS SINCE YOU ARE AN ASSOCIATE OR EVEN A YOUTH PASTOR, HOW CAN YOU KNOW WHAT GOES ON IN THE CHURCH. BUT WHO DOES THE CHURCH CALL ON WHEN THE PASTOR IS GONE? YES IT IS US!! WE ARE CALLED TO BE THE SHEPHERD OF THE FLOCK OF YOUTH, BUT WE ARE PASTORS TOO AND ARE CALLED TO THE GREAT COMMISSION TO GO AND MAKE DISCIPLES TO ALL NATIONS!! ALSO IT IS HARD BEING A WOMAN PASTOR WHEN MOST RELIGIONS FRET ON THEM!! GOD CALLED ME INTO THE MINISTRY ALMOST 5 YEARS AGO AND I AM DOING EVERYTHING IN MY POWER TO PLEASE GOD!!!
MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS YOU AND YOUR MINISTRY!!
PASTOR RENE’
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