Being Put Out To Pasture....

I know no youth worker/ minister/ pastor who has retired from youth work. It's true. None. The stereotype is that they don't stick around long enough to do so, or that the profession is so young that no one has had a chance to. Do know several people who ask me what I'm planning on doing when I get older. My witty response is to tell them that I plan on cashing in on the same retirement package that Paul cashed in on.

It was really good for me to read several weeks ago an article from David Olshine that appeared in Youth Worker. The article is great and does a good job in talking about the graying of the American youth worker. Here's a taste...

Older Is Better than You Think

In the course of the past four decades, youth ministry has become a legitimate, professional vocation. The stereotype of the immature youth worker who loves Jesus and seeks out kids until a senior pastorate opens up has faded away in America. Youth ministry is viewed largely as a calling, a mission, a lifetime position for men and women. Youth ministry is taken so seriously that tens of thousands of youth workers across the country attend seminars and conferences dedicated to the profession.

 In addition, an academic model for training youth leaders has emerged over the past two decades. Many colleges and seminaries offer bachelors, masters, and doctoral programs in youth ministry. Many classes at this level include adolescent development theory, techniques on counseling youths and families, theology, and models of evangelism and discipleship.

What does all this mean? Youth workers are staying in the field longer, and the average student majoring in youth ministry is getting older. The general assumption regarding what churches are looking for? Easy. Athletic guy in his early 20s who can play games and keep up with the teens and knows all about youth culture and Scripture—or a vivacious woman in her early 20s who can do slumber parties and keep the girls away from bad influences. Yet surveys for the southern states show that most organizations want older youth workers—usually early-to-mid 30s, married, with families. Some churches even want 40-year-old youth pastors—those vets who've tried walking on water, sank through the waves a number of times, got back into the boat and are now stable and wise.

For the rest please click here.