Monthly column for youth leaders

Jo Horn hands over EN's Youth Leaders' column to Roj Fawcett by conducting his interview for the job in the full glare of publicity . . .

Full-time youth worker: to be or not to be?

If you've ever thought about being a full-time youth worker, or your church is employing one, or thinking about doing so then read on. Here we've interviewed a real, live full-timer to give you an idea of what sort of thing is involved. It sheds light on what volunteer youth leaders are doing in your church, too. So as you read, think through what you could be praying for your youth leaders, voluntary or paid, and think of ways in which you could support them.

Meet Roj (that's Roger Fawcett). He's married, with three children, and is a full-time, paid, youth worker for a church in rural Bedfordshire.

J: What's it like being a full-time Christian worker?

R: I thought that having a Christian label would make things easier, but it doesn't particularly. It gives people something to comment on or rise to. People also watch those with a 'full-time Christian' badge on carefully for when they slip. However it does lead to some amazing conversations.

J: What's it like being a full-time Christian youth worker?

R: Very exciting. I knew as I grew through my teens that I wanted to work with young people and to be in a position to teach them the Bible and disciple them. Doing it is fantastic.

J: What are the joys / difficulties?

R: The joys are seeing the young people get a grip on the Bible and what it means to be a Christian. This could be understanding the gospel for the first time, or taking a big step forward. The difficulties are often practical or having enough time to do things well. I teach a little RE in a local school and that's where the biggest attacks come from. There is opposition in schools' work for certain.

J: Do you think churches should have full-time youth workers?

R: I don't think full-time youth workers instantly fill pews or solve all problems with the teenagers. John Allan once said that when a church employs a youth worker they should expect more work not less. Since I have been doing this job I have learned a lot about ministry. It's a good thing not to think in terms of all or nothing. While a full-time youth worker is sometimes seen as an obvious step for churches, there are pitfalls. It can be very difficult to sort out the right package, but you can't cut corners when employing someone properly. I think churches should explore other possibilities alongside full-time workers. Are there people who can work part-time? Others may be able to lead a small group on a weekly basis. There are lots of options.

J: Tell us more about the role of volunteer leaders?

R: Volunteer leaders are the essential backbone of church youth work. There are many different ways they can operate. They are often around for much longer than a full-timer, they can also get to know small groups of young people very well. Volunteer youth leaders should be highly valued and trained well.

J: What can a full-time worker do that they can't - if anything?

R: Time is probably the biggest difference between a full-timer and a volunteer. The amount of time available, and the flexibility of when it is available.

J: What are your priorities?

R: Getting into the Bible for myself and helping young people and youth leaders to get to grips with it too. I'm speaking five years into the post, so a lot of bridge-building and awareness work has already been done.

J: Is your work mainly with the leaders or the young people?

R: I work mainly with the young people in Bible study groups, youth clubs and Sunday stuff. But there is a role in training and co-ordination of leaders too.

J: What's an average day look like?

R: During the day I might spend several hours in my study preparing material. Sometimes admin. catches up and I have to make lots of phone calls and write letters. I often visit schools for either an assembly, a lesson or a lunchtime club. After school I have a Bible study group from 4.00 till 5.00 p.m. In the evening I may be out at a youth club, a youth social event or sometimes another Bible study group.

J: What would you like it to look like?

R: Rock-climbing in the mountains in Spain.

J: How do you want to see your youth work develop in the next two years or so?

R: Our teenage group is really beginning to find its identity, so I would like it to continue to grow, especially through attracting our young people's friends along and seeing them become Christians. I would like to see the Bible study groups that we organise midweek for teenagers continue to grow, with commitment from volunteer workers that is long term and really disciples them well.

J: What role does the Bible play in your youth work?

R: The Bible plays the central role in our church's youth work. I hope that any young people who visit hear the gospel and respond to it. To those young people in our congregation I want to see them understanding and applying the Bible to their lives. Even outside the church setting in schools I want to use the Bible. I'm especially keen on using the Bible appropriately in assemblies in schools. The Bible speaks with infinitely more authority than we ever can by ourselves.

J: What's the secret of good youth work?

R: Prayer. Prayer and correct handling of the Bible.

Alternatives to rock-climbing in Spain

J: What are the joys / difficulties?

J: What are your priorities?

J: What's an average day look like?

R: Rock-climbing in the mountains in Spain.

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