I am often asked what I consider to be the ‘ideal’ youth minister. It’s a bad question in a way, because we should never have stereotypes, but it gets me thinking about the kind of youth leaders who seem to gather young people and keep them coming back. Young people want to be there with them.
There can be some bad examples of this. For example, the leader who works so hard on his popularity, that his charismatic personality draws people for all the wrong reasons. There are plenty of examples of groups that folded once the dynamic personality evaporated or left. In my travels to churches to do consultancy work, I am often surprised by the type of group that really seems to be cutting it. I think there are some common parameters in the groups I have observed.
What they say matters
Perhaps the most obvious attraction is the group where the leader(s) take seriously their preparation and teaching. What they say seems to matter to them and, although humour might be used, there is a sense in which their teaching is serious. I have heard youth speakers who are great jokers and can entertain, but their message is an afterthought to their entertainment. Some see their presentations as a path to popularity — this comes unstuck when faced with a ‘hard’ teaching. But, if teaching seriously deals with the passage and applies to the life of the young people, they seem to come back for more. I was slightly worried by the young person, who, when I asked him why he went to the group, replied, ‘It’s a good laugh’.
Facing issues
Another factor appears to be the willingness to face issues. I have met groups where the leaders assume that, once a lesson is taught, every young person has completely understood every point. That is a fundamental misunderstanding of the teaching role. Look at the number of times the disciples came back to Jesus to ask him questions. I have met groups where to challenge or question is seen as a sign of disrespect. I see it as a very healthy sign, because I don’t understand everything first time round and nor do most young people. One of my early mentors answered many silly questions from me and I am so grateful for his patience. If your youth group is a safe place to ask questions and raise issues, young people will come back.
I actually think that structure and organisation are issues here. I have visited youth groups where I have arrived and we all sit down and look at each other and nobody has any idea what is supposed to happen. I know we have to be cool, but that is not the same as doing no preparation and ‘winging it’. I think young people appreciate both structure and flexibility so that there is a clear agenda, but the leader is not so rigid that he cannot move into an area of interest if it arises.
Have fun
The last may seem strange, but groups that have warmth and fun appear to attract. I am certainly not suggesting that we run a group on fuzzy feelings and great laughs, but I do think it should be a place which is good to be part of and where relationships are warm and lasting. I have encountered opposition to the idea of ‘fun’ in some places, but I return to one very senior leader, who, when we were considering how to run a late night meeting at a national event said: ‘Make sure they know when you are serious and when you’re having fun; but don’t try to mix then up’.
Maybe you’d like to think about the things you regard as crucial to the life of your group and whether you can change the culture of your group to a place where God and his word are honoured and where it’s also a good place to be.
Dave Fenton is the Training Director of Root 66, which runs training courses for youth ministries across the UK.
