10 comments (Add your own)

1. Steve wrote:

I would like a candidate who is passionate about the Lord and passionate about youth. He needs to be steeped in the Word and committed to teaching it. He needs to be absolutely committed to listening to the youth non-critically and loving them unconditionally. I want him to have a servant's heart for the hurting youth, the disenfranchised, the troubled youth and to reach out to them at every opportunity. I want him to be equally open to and receptive of all youth, regardless of spiritual, social, or ethnic backgrounds or conditions. I want him to desire to reach the lost and determined to lead our youth in so doing. He needs to have a sense of fun and, at times, not take himself too seriously. While it's not a requirement in my mind, it would be very advantageous if he's married, especially in certain counseling situations. I'd want him to function under the authority of the senior pastor.
This is a lot to ask, and no one will measure up in all areas, but our youth are more important to me than I can say.
I will be much in prayer for this man, and for our committee.

May 12, 2008 @ 5:11 PM

2. Ron Jr wrote:

I can't add much to what Steve wrote. I know that no man can do everything and everything well. Let's not lose sight of that. He will need a team of support in order to have any chance of meeting the criteria above. Obviously, Christ must be at the forefront of that team. I was reminded in a seminar this weekend that the first question we have to ask in every ministry is, "how is this ministry going to advance the Kingdom of God". So the guy must have, "advancing the Kingdom" as priority one. It's his job to equip the youth to minister to each other.

I think back to what Debbie wrote last week about new youth showing up and nobody talking to them. That really hurts. I was the youth who wasn't friendly to those outside my "group" and I regret it. I knew better back then, even felt guilty about it, but never had anybody push me to be better. I struggle with it even today. So, I want a guy who can get the youth to come along his side (to be that team) and teach them to be that person who courageously extends their hand to the lonely or new student, who wants to build those friendships, who desire's God's word be planted within themselve's and in other's, to be the shoulder to cry on, to be there to hang out with, to be Christ's ambassador. I envied the kids who claimed Christ away from church, I almost never did. Find a guy who can show them that Christ is nothing to be ashamed of but to be celebrated and shared and have the CONFIDENCE to share Him. He need's to be a "coach" of sort's, an encourager. I wish that I had somebody in my youth teach me to be more courageous about these things. So that's who I would like to see leading my kids.

May 12, 2008 @ 10:34 PM

3. Mark Wing wrote:

First, I don't think theres is a formula for praying. This is a heart thing and I believe God will have to change that. However, those of us who have been convicted to pray, need to pray and then with in our small group, and/or circle of influence, keep others accountable to do the same. Some will not pray, but that does not mean God will not honor the prayers of the dilligent.
Second, I was wondering why there were not more students on the committee. After all, they will be the people being ministered to. We have quite a group of students that are after God's heart. What do the students want? I believe the church would be pleasantly surprised by the man they would pick and what they want in a youth pastor.
With all that, I would like to have a youth pastor that sees the surrounding schools as his primary mission field. Since discipleship is something not every student is ready for, I don't think the emphasis should be as a group. I think the discipleship should be modeled after the Paul/Timothy form, an older man building into the life of a younger man or an older woman building into the life of a younger woman. I am willing to be involved with this.
I think he should have a passion for students and not see this as a spring board for pastoring a church. He should have some seminary background with a desire to learn God's word.
Lastly, I would like to see a youth program that would be a servant ministry more than a serve me ministry. I think this would break down the clicks and the students would be able to see God at work in exciting ways they would have to respond to.

May 13, 2008 @ 11:22 AM

4. A Concerned Youth Parent wrote:

I certainly hope that we have learned from our past mistakes. I hope that every member of our church is praying for the search committee and for the man that will lead our youth - even though we don't know who he is - God does - and that is good enough!!
I have a son in our youth group - has been at this church since he was born - but does not feel like he fits in. I hope that we hire someone that will want to build relationships with ALL of the kids - not just the ones that are outgoing. My son will just sit back and watch if he is not encouraged to come along and be involved - and I feel that for far too long we have decided that it was OK. I hate to MAKE him go - I want him to WANT to participate.
I appreciate all that Craig and ALL of the other volunteers have done to help out - but we need someone that can devote more time. I hope - for the good of our youth group - that we can get someone - the right one - the one that God has picked - to lead our youth - the sooner the better.

May 13, 2008 @ 12:33 PM

5. debbie wrote:

I would like a youth pastor who is passionate about God, His Word, the lost and students!

I want to see our kids who have been in church all of their lives and have an abundance of head knowledge to be trained to apply what they already know and reaching their lost friends, family, neighbors, and those in their sphere of influence with the gospel of Jesus Christ. If they don't have any lost people in their sphere of influence, they need to be encouraged to go out and seek them! Opportunities should be given to them to reach out to the lost.
I love the saying: "We don't care how much you know until we know how much you care!" Our students need to be equipped to care for the lost/hurting people around them in hopes of gaining their trust and having doors open to share the gospel of Christ with them, inviting them to church or to an event where the gospel will be presented.

I want a youth pastor who is strong in discipleship for those who are strong in their faith and growing spiritually. However, I must say that the opportunity for discipleship was given to our teenage girls recently. One of our strong, single young women stepped up to lead the girls through a discipleship book/Bible study on Sunday afternoon before the evening service and only 1 young lady showed up. This was a dissapointment to the girl who came expecting other girls to attend, but also to the single who was willing to give her time and was excited about leading. I don't know if they are meeting one on one now, or if they decided since there was no interest, to just cancel it. I guess this is where parents are going to have to get behind those willing to lead and encourage their students to participate.

I also want a youth pastor who is willing to go after those who are falling through the cracks. Those who are wandering into the culture or fence straddling. One who has enough courage and boldness to come along side these, and say "I don't see the Lord in your life, what's up?"

I think it's important that our students be challenged to serve within our church family. There are many opportunities for this, whether it be helping with AWANA, the nursery, special childrens/youth events, etc. We also have many senior citizens who could use some help once in awhile. Instead of looking to be served, I think it's important to teach them to serve while they are young so that when they are adults, it's already built in them to look for areas of service.

It's probably not practical to think that one man can be all things to all people. That's something our church has struggled with over the years. As a parent with several children of various ages who has gone through MANY youth pastors....I know that when one youth pastor was more relational with the athletic kids, then families without athletes were upset. When we had one who was closer to the spiritually strong and growing, those of us with struggling kids were not happy. I personally liked the one who held MY child accountable for her actions and was upfront with her about what he DIDN'T see in her life. He was tough on those who disrupted Bible study and Wed.& Sun night youth group on a consistant basis and took action, which made the parents mad and those he disciplined would not come back. But, we had a strong, growing, vibrant youth group during the years he ministered at our church.

My prayer is that we will be on our faces seeking God's man, and that we will recognize him when God brings him our way.

May 13, 2008 @ 3:12 PM

6. Becky Graham wrote:

I've been thinking about how we could pray more effectively for the Youth Pastor Search Committee and our youth. We could pick a day and time each week that we open up the church for people to come in and pray on their own time. Setting a prayerful atmosphere with maybe candles, soft music, suggestions on the screen as to what to pray about, scriptures, etc. A personal call to each student's parents and student inviting them to be a part of this prayer time would be nice. I would be willing to call the families or help in any way. Someone call me, I'm willing. This would be great if it could be done each week until a man is hired. It would also be another way of communicating what is going on with the committee as we posted needed prayer requests on the screen each week. Just some thoughts.

May 13, 2008 @ 11:23 PM

7. Katie Jenkins wrote:

Asking what one wants in a youth pastor could get a lot of interesting replies. So, I thought I would look to see what GOD wants in a youth pastor OR rather in ALL of us. (Isaiah 55:8-9 ~ "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways," declares the LORD. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.)

Deuteronomy 10:11-13 (NASB)
"Then the LORD said to me, 'Arise, proceed on your journey ahead of the people, that they may go in and possess the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.' "Now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require from you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the LORD'S commandments and His statutes which I am commanding you today for your good?"

HAPPY 60th BIRTHDAY, Nation of ISRAEL!
Katie

May 14, 2008 @ 8:22 AM

8. Hazel Lawson wrote:

All these comments have some great points. I have been a part of this church for a few years and have seen the ups and downs of the youth ministry. I was heavily involved with the youth while Doug D. was the pastor. He and the youth pastors to follow have had both strengths and weaknesses as we all do. All of our expectations cannot be met in one man!
How does one set up a program to reach all that may enter without ones falling in the cracks? Whatever approach is used I know that we can always smell a "rat!" Insincerity is a big turn-off when reaching out to others.
About reaching out to the area schools (a problem in the past), what about setting up a youth leadership team with members from each school. This team should not be labeled as a leadership team, but maybe an outreach team who focuses on helping visitors from their schools transition into the main group of youth.
Church should be a place where we can be free to be open without being criticized; where we can be real without feeling like a facade needs to be used; where we can passionately strengthen our relationship with Christ and our fellow brothers and sisters in Him through prayer, praise, and play!
In a perfect world, there would be no cracks for the youth to fall through; we have the same problem in our chuch in general. Youth and the leaders who have an honest love of Christ can sincerely reach out in love and leave doors open for when others are ready to be involved or ministered to. We cannot force relationships, but we can work to build them.

May 14, 2008 @ 10:55 AM

9. Micah Fries wrote:

We have added a new page to the website which allows you to respond to us, anonymously, and help the search team understand what you are looking for. This would be particularly helpful if you voted no. Take a look at the front page of the site and click on the button.

Thanks for the help!

May 14, 2008 @ 4:39 PM

10. Keith Goeking wrote:

I don't know if anyone is still reading this as you have moved on to week 18. However, having returned from vacation - I didn't get in on this topic and have some thoughts.

One - I think anonymous responses are worth what an anonymous letter is worth - which is nothing. Even when we have contrary opinions to that of the majority, we ought to be willing to be identifed with our ideas and thoughts.

Two - I would suggest the committee meet regularly for prayer, regardless of whether there are issues to discuss. That is essential for the unity and wisdom of the committee.

Three - The man we need for youth ministry must be much more than about fun and games. The world fun and games all over the place. While the average youth seeks that, we are not about average I hope. We want to disciple youth and lead them to follow Christ, not simply have them adhere to the church in some minor way. We need a man of God's Word, capable of teaching it effectively to the youth. We need a man of prayer, deeply committed to praying for our youth. We need a man of relationships capable of connecting with youth in such a way as to draw them to Christ. Fun and games lie on the broad way, we need a man of the narrow way - leading youth to life everlasting. We need a man who will raise the bar and lead our youth to reach for the bar of a serious walk with God.

Four - The man we need will not be found through the normal means of collecting resumes. It didn't work for us in our pastor search, and will not work in the search for a youth minister.

Five - If our church commits to pray for the youth pastor search as we did for the Pastor search, we will find God's man.

Keith

June 4, 2008 @ 7:03 AM

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