I received yet another inquiry today: “Do you have any recommendations for a student minister? We just can’t seem to find one. We’ve been looking for over six months.”
For several years, I would get similar inquiries about worship leaders or worship pastors. Today, there seems to be a dearth of both worship pastors and student pastors. So, where have all the student pastors gone? I asked some key leaders I trust on this issue. Here are their and my perspectives:
- A number of young leaders decided to plant a church rather than enter into or continue in youth ministry. Youth ministry traditionally has been a field dominated by young males. Many of these young males began narrowing their vocational choices to student ministry or church planting. A large number decided to plant churches. On the one hand, that’s a really good development. We definitely need more church planters. On the other hand, many churches are now pleading for student pastors.
- Fewer schools are offering training in student ministry. It’s a chicken or egg question. Are fewer schools offering this training and, as a consequence, fewer young people are becoming student pastors? Or, are fewer young people seeking the training and, thus, the schools are closing the programs because of diminished demand? Either way, there are fewer trained youth ministers.
- It is becoming increasingly common for many churches to call a student pastor from their own congregations. These youth ministers then do not always seek training from a college or seminary and, thus, the schools often close their programs. Smaller churches typically do not have the pool of internal candidates the larger churches do. And these churches are among the most frustrated in their search for student pastors.
- Some churches have eliminated the position of student pastor and replaced it with a family pastor position. Family pastors often have much broader roles than ministering to middle school and/or high school students. Thus, these churches have lost a specific focus on student ministry for adolescents.
- Fewer middle school and high school students attend church. The Gen Z generation has fewer in church than previous generations. This development is not new. It began with both Gen X and the Millennials. But the trend continues unabated. Fewer students means a diminished need for student pastors.
A number of churches that contact me believe a good student pastor is the magic bullet solution to help grow their churches and make them younger. If a church is in decline and growing older, it is unlikely that one person can reverse those trends. The church as a whole must change first and follow in greater obedience to the Great Commission.
I am curious. Are you seeing this same dearth of student pastors? Have you been looking for one for your church unsuccessfully? I would love to hear your story on this topic. Let me hear from you.
Posted on March 4, 2019
With nearly 40 years of ministry experience, Thom Rainer has spent a lifetime committed to the growth and health of local churches across North America.
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My post will be kind of long, so I’ll summarize here at the top. In my experience, I think there may be three reasons young ministers aren’t going into youth ministry: 1) they don’t want to use it as “just a stepping stone,” 2) they are often looking for a salary to help them start a family, and youth ministry often doesn’t provide that, 3) the youth ministry they grew up in left a bad taste in their mouth.
I am a 24 year-old full-time student and discipleship pastor. I’m blessed to be a part of a great, supportive church. I just thought I’d share some of my experiences. None of this is scientific data, so take it with a grain of salt. I love what I do and the kids and families I get to minister to. Nonetheless, I’ve been pretty up front with folks in saying that I don’t think I’m particularly gifted for long-term youth ministry. I think that I can do it now because I’m young, but I don’t know that this is something I will be able to do well when I’m older. All of that being said, I know a lot of young guys who, like me, don’t feel as though God has called them to do youth ministry long-term. Youth ministry is just something that they may be able to do well while they are young before they are ready to do something else in ministry. However, a lot of us are really uncomfortable with using youth ministry as a stepping-stone to something else, but there often isn’t another path in ministry. When I was looking for my first ministry job after school, I really didn’t want to wind up at a place that I would wind up leaving in a year or two, and I think a lot of other young people really want to find a place where they can stay for several years as quickly as possible. Church planting seems to be offering that to many young people, so they seem to be opting for planting instead of youth ministry. Church planting also often gives them an opportunity to work in the market place, which helps them reach lost people for their church plant, but also gives them additional salary. Many young guys in ministry are trying to start families, and a lot of churches seem to want full-time youth ministers on part-time salaries. Finally, I knew a lot of guys in school who resented their youth ministries. In their experience, youth ministry was childish, silly, and overly fun focused, but didn’t do much to actually disciple anyone or prepare them for life in Christ. Typically, the students that came from great youth ministries were more likely to be enthusiastic about youth ministry, and the ones who were not from great youth ministries were more likely to not want to do youth ministry. I hope this is helpful.
Dr. Rainer-
Wow. That is a great question. The answer is not hard. There is a multitude of reasons to the reason why churches can’t find student ministers or children’s ministers. I’d like the opportunity to unpack each of these reasons.
1. Unrealistic Expectations
2. Low Pay
3. Under Resourced
4. Not Considered Professional
5. The Grind
6. Family Issues
7. The Comparison Treatment
8. Hierarchy on Staff
9. Benefits
10. Valued
These are just 10 reasons. Why would anyone want to take on the task of leading and mentoring a church, parents, and students to have to deal with these issues? Many churches are blind to the stress and strain of student ministry. There is so much to this issue. I do not believe enough attention is being given to it.
Thank you for asking the question. Just to be clear, I am an 18 year veteran of student, kids, and family ministry.
We have been looking for almost 2 years now. Typical recruiting methods aren’t working like they used to (simply post to a college job board), and our conference has been unable to offer much help either. We keep hearing that less people are going into ministry and younger men are going into church planting. The church (as a whole) needs to rethink how we do ministry to youth and how we raise up and develop future generations of pastors.
Andy, you say you have been looking for almost 2 years, now. May I ask what exactly are you looking for?
We were searching and praying for a Student Ministry Pastor for just about a year since our previous Student Ministry Pastor was called by God to move into church planting.
We did not feel that we had someone in our congregation that could bring the skills and gifts needed to reach and disciple middle school, high school, and 20 somethings.
Many of the Student Ministry applicants we had apply to our posting did not match our requirements or were a fit for our church. Some that we really liked went a different direction or were called to another church.
I resonate with what you share in your blog. Things are changing in Student Ministry culture, in Church culture, and in our Culture. We kept looking, praying, and trusting the Holy Spirit’s lead.
It was a long road. But God provided the right guy at the right time who is a good fit with our staff and church.
We have developed a ‘Greenhouse’ in our church to train potential ministry leaders, focusing on those who have expressed a sense of call to ministry. Currently we have five young adults in the group, ranging from a senior in high school to late 20’s. We are walking them through theological foundations, personal growth foundations, things to expect and understand in vocational ministry as well as giving basic opportunities to serve and grow in a nurturing environment (home church). We average around 165-180 on a weekend so we are not a large church so that number in the Greenhouse blesses us tremendously. That to say: we are focusing on developing leaders from within.
That emphasis came about through prayer and what we believe is a more biblical pattern of developing and training leaders in the congregation and that, combined with our experience the year prior, to find a youth minister, drove us to this take this approach. We are glad we did! We are still a work in process, and we are learning, but we will likely stay with this approach.
Honestly, our search outside the church was disheartening. Yes, the culture has changed much, and the number of young men who express a sense of called-ness to youth ministry is down, and the ones who are mature in their faith and ready to lead are quickly grabbed by larger churches, but we also noticed a big change in potential ministry leaders through that process. There is a big maturity difference in terms of expectations and readiness when I compare what I experienced with this generation and looking for a youth person lets say 15 years ago. Over the course of six months we had the following happen:
1) More than one young minister (mid-late 20’s) said, ‘I’m interested in the position, but my life groups (or family group) or my friends (yes, all my friends) are in my home church. Does a person have to join the church or can I be the youth minister and do all the youth ministry but keep my membership at my home church? (These questions were asked, for what it is worth, on the FRONT end by the candidates). I’ve never experienced this before.
2) Someone walked all the way through the process with us. He met with us four times. He initiated and kept in contact and impressed. Over time, he told us he and his wife felt called to the church. Met with he and his wife and we agreed to go to deacons and personnel the next week, and he dropped off the map. Never returned calls after that or emails. Found out about 3 months later he had been meeting with two other churches and agencies and had a better pay package offer from another ministry. That was a new one. On the other hand, was glad to find that out about him before we brought him on. No doubt he would have left as soon as a bigger church called.
3) We had three ‘no shows.’ Meetings were set. I showed up but candidates didn’t. I called in all cases and heard everything from ‘I’m sorry. I forgot,’ to ‘something came up,’ (yes, something came up), to ‘I’m probably going to stay in my current church.’ It was just bizarre.
4) My ‘favorite’ was setting an appointment with a young man scheduled for ‘5:00, before our Wednesday night prayer service.’ That Wednesday morning, I had an angry text from said candidate. ‘I showed up at the church at 5:00 this morning to meet and no one was there. I remove myself for consideration.’ (I guess I should have put p.m. before Wednesday night prayer meeting)?
5) There were a couple of young men who first asked salary as the very first question, young men with no experience as a youth minister yet and still receiving their education. One asked me (again, no ministry experience), ‘I would be interested if you will make me the associate pastor too.’
6) Another candidate said he ‘didn’t think he was supposed to serve in a small church (he had zero ministry experience) because ‘the Lord had impressed on him at Congresso that ‘he was going to be a popular speaker at conferences one day, just like the person he saw speaking that day.’ Seriously.
7) Another candidate told me on the front end, ‘I can do this (arrogance off the chart). The drive is far for me. I’ll need (states salary) and my schedule is already full, so I will likely go to one service (Saturday or Sunday) only. That interview ended quickly. He had 5 or so years experience in bi-vocational ministry.
I could go on. It was so very odd. I realize that my/our experience might be absolutely not the norm, but that was the strangest experience I’ve had. During that search I spoke with approximately 20 ministers in our city for potential recommendations and counsel, and I heard a lot of stories that were similar. Guys were frustrated. They served in small churches and large churches and had similar experiences with young minister candidates.
We were in a season of prayer as a church and the people, to their credit, did not lose heart, continued to pray and then, in His perfect time, God provided more than we anticipated and asked for (an associate pastor who is more like a family minister now in our church, and a worship minister) and did so in the most incredible of ways. We learned a lot through that process.
I think the most important was: stay in prayer and wait on God and don’t lose heart. It took a lot longer than we anticipated, but God worked in us and in His own time and we are thankful.
I’m currently in youth ministry and in the process of taking a community pastor position a a different church. I believe one of the biggest issues is finances. I’m 26 and well, a lot of my generation has student debt… and a lot of it. Making ends meet with what most churches pay youth pastors is incredibly difficult. It’s even harder when you’re trying to tithe, save, and prepare for a future family. It just becomes untenable. I agree with others as well, being seen as second class or the little brother is a huge reason guys leave or don’t stay long. The last thing I’ll say is this, youth ministry is incredibly difficult. It is a meat grinder of unrealistic expectations.
I’ve noticed a common thread on here. No one is saying they’re church can’t find a youth pastor, they’re saying they can’t find a “quality” youth pastor, or they can’t find a youth pastor that “meets their criteria”. Maybe part of the problem is that many churches have unrealistic expectations. I think the superstar youth pastors that you all are looking for are all working at bigger churches that actually pay their youth pastors well.
I was just recently hired as a minister of students. (K-college) I searched for over 2 years for a position. I sent out close 800 resumes. I had a total of about 20 interviews, and 3 “second” interviews. Of course none of the other positions were where God wanted me, but one thing I noticed about most of the positions I looked at and even applied for, only wanted someone with 5+ years as a youth minister and also required an MDIV. I didn’t have the experience outside of being a volunteer and I just started seminary last year. I personally think committees are relying on MDIVs and experience as guides instead of praying and actually seeking God’s guidance. Having an MDIV doesn’t mean you’re going to be better than the person who doesn’t. God equips those He calls to service and I think churches forget that.
Unless you believe that God predetermines every single thing that happens in your life, isn’t it possible that the church where God wanted you to land, turned you down because they were more concerned about applying their own search criteria, then they were in truly finding God’s will? I know that may sound cynical, but that’s what 4+ decades in the youth ministry has taught me.
I was a Family Pastor for 3.5 years at a church that desired a FT youth pastor…it did not end well. Youth ministry was neither my passion nor gifting. Both the church and myself entered in with good intentions to make the role work, but it simply did not. This in a church of 300 that could not afford nor warrant a FT youth pastor position. I am now a bivocational pastor and while I miss being able to devote myself FT to local church ministry I am convinced I’m fulfilling the Lord’s call on my life in ways I was not before. I would caution any candidate being asked to fill this role to ask hard questions before accepting the assignment. Finally, I should note I learned a great deal about shepherding during my time there and I do not regret it for a moment. The Lord used that church in a variety of ways to shape me into the man I am today.
Here’s my quick thoughts after 15 years of Student Ministry, 1 year as Lead Pastor, then transitioning back into Student Ministry. Here my heart in this, I love Student Ministry and believe it’s essential to the church. The struggles i list below aren’t what I’m currently experiencing because I’ve found a rare amazing church.
1) Lack of good leadership in individual churches.
Many Student Pastors, especially if young are a diamond in the rough still needing polished in many ways. They need patience, guidance (but in love), and encouragement. Many instead are micro managed by another pastor or elde, rather than being equipped to fully lead out a ministry in who Christ made them to be.
2) Lack of realistic pay.
It’s sad that someone can accept a lead pastor position and get paid $10-20k more than someone who’s been in Student or Children’s Ministry for 10-15 years. I’m in an extremely rare situation that my church saw me for my years of experience, talents, and character ; and rather than offering me less than what I can live on, they forced the Lead Pastor to take a raise to bring me on at what my family needed.
Not to mention that I’ve been out of Bible College since 2004 and still owe $40K and sometimes making $500-800 a month payments. Many are burnt and tired of being bi-vocational.
3) Either having to live up to or do nothing like the previous Student Pastor.
4) Expected to do for the Student Ministry, what sometimes 4-5 people are doing for the adult ministry.
Preach, figure out worship, do graphics and social media, hospital calls, video clips, train small group leaders, plan and go on trips, communicate with parents… Oh and raise a family.
Granted, I’ve learned the importance of a team. But a team of volunteers takes a ton more time, than paid staffers.
5) Teaching typically attacked over personal preference Or style than scriptural truth.
6) Student Ministry budgets are too low. That’s OK, they’ve got enough time left to fundraise lol.
7) Expectation of growth is purely numerical.
I love the local church. Plan to serve it the rest of my life. But we got some serious work to do to better serve our Student Pastors. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or would like to talk more about it.
Blessings.
Good article and comments, as always. But, when I clicked on the headline I misinterpreted “student minister” and was thinking in terms of Bible college and seminary students who take on part-time ministries while a student. This was once common, at least in the fellowship I belong to (Christian Churches and Churches of Christ), but I’m seeing less and less of it. If you think it would be helpful, perhaps you could have an article addressing what seminary students’ role in the church as students should or could be and how that’s changed and why.
I believe that the current emphasis on church planting and the “coolness” and “hipness” of it is drawing more men who would have in the past sought youth ministry. Millennials want to be where the relevant action is so to speak and are pioneer oriented. Working on staff as a second (or third or fourth chair) is just not as appealing as planting.
But even among those who are called and will seek out Youth Ministry, there is going to be an issue in finding them, given the current culture of #MeToo and the Houston Chronicle reports. Primarily, I am curious if it will be more of a challenge going forward, especially in the smaller church. The small church already faces the financial crunch and will often only be able to afford a “part-time” student pastor/minister, almost forcing them to look to colleges for candidates. This now means that 21-23 year men are working closely with teens not much younger than they are. I was 23 in my first role as youth director and I had teen girls in that group that were 17 and 18 years old. Looking back horrifies me to the possibilities of false accusations and comprised situations. Thank God I and my church were ahead of that even then (25 years ago).
But again, the recent spotlight will cause churches to evaluate the liability risk of this position. This is correct practice of course. We can never be too careful with the children of the church. My concern is that many churches (of all sizes) may assume the risk to be too great.
I believe going forward a renewed emphasis on Family Ministry is appropriate too. Youth ministry I believe should involve the whole family. This may lead churches to call older, more mature men who are perhaps married with kids of their own. This would be seem less “risky”.
All in all, as church leaders, we need to be diligent in recognizing the called to all forms of ministry and then taking the extra steps to prepare them before they are released into the jungle.