recently i filled out my self-evaluation for my job performance as director of youth ministries at hfumc. in this evaluation as in every other prior evaluation i have a statement that seems to find its way in there that "i struggle with a constant tension between the relationship and administration of my ministry." what that means, and my staff parish understands this about me, is that i am a relationship minister at the core. i get rejuvinated from being around folks in conversation, helping them through tough times, praying for them, teaching something as a mentor to them. however, i find that most of my work is held up in the administration of my job. this isn’t to say that i do not appreciate that aspect of my job. in fact, if i ignored it, i would not be in my job now (is there a parallel that youth ministers avg shelf life is 12-18 months?). what this "tension" for me is that administration is not my gift and it takes extra energy, time, and planning to do it well. it just is not my natural person.
now, i don’t know, but this may just be methodist church culture phenom, but it might not. the methodist church seems to always roll with a solo youth pastor. they are a one person show. all communication, information, paper pieces, new ideas, training, finances, implementation, planning, etc comes out of that one body. if one is lucky, as i am, you have staff that serves the whole church, which is able to help you out. my church staff happens to be wonderful and they cover my butt constantly, but their help is, in ways, limited to their specific tasks (ie. finance person holds my books and covers all our cash flow needs, but they do not send my mail). it is strange this one person show and i started to wonder, why do we do this one person show. then i ran some numbers.
for my context
227 : youth on our roll currently (we added a few last night though)
454 : potential number for parents (not all youth have 2 parents, that is a max number)
25 : youth leaders that are not already parents
706 : total number of people in the HFUMC Youth Parrish
now, if i were a methodist pastor, appointed to a church with a roll attendance of 706 people what might my staff make up look like? it would not be a solo pastor. you would certainly have an associate, and probably would have one to two administrative people.
what are your numbers like?
my buddy mark devries has a bit of research they use at youth ministry architects that says that you need one staff person for every 50 youth and that adults can only keep around 5 deep relationships with youth at one time. so with a number like that in mind, is it any wonder that our real numbers of participation reflect about 28% of that population highlighted above?
no wonder i am tired all the time. i have to put on a mask of skills that is not my primary. in the last week we sent out a mass email, group text messages, a paper letter mailing to parents, a graphically enhanced postcard to all youth, and a number of phone calls. we had checks cut for future events, buying groceries and kitchen items to serve food with, driving youth to meetings, planning calendar, making copies, making more copies, cleaning our space, trashing my own office, cleaning a kitchen.. and the list goes on.
why does the church, as a general, see the youth ministry as some side piece of the church? they are a part of the church, and it is harmful to go off and create a separate church of youth, but administratively it seems logical to look at how you are staffing your church and give some equal value to youth, children, and other focus of the church community.
Your example using the numbers is food for thought.
I know you do not mean it this way, but your example made me think of the way we view youth and youth ministry.
Is it a church within a church – a separate parish?
What is the proper role of individual relationships with individual youth?
I’m not suggesting you answer these. They are merely questions your post brought to my mind.
Your example using the numbers is food for thought.
I know you do not mean it this way, but your example made me think of the way we view youth and youth ministry.
Is it a church within a church – a separate parish?
What is the proper role of individual relationships with individual youth?
I’m not suggesting you answer these. They are merely questions your post brought to my mind.
hey john, i mention this in closing sentences, but it might be overshadowed by the whole writing. i would never, never, want to have our youth become some separate church. that just is not healthy in my eyes. though, however, some churches operate their programs with that intent in mind. that is not my case. it is just an observation of proper staffing and sometimes breaking down the numbers can reflect a lacking or strength.
another number i’ve done in the past is take the youth budget and divide it by the number of youth. it can reflect a financial support for the youth which can be, interesting.
hey john, i mention this in closing sentences, but it might be overshadowed by the whole writing. i would never, never, want to have our youth become some separate church. that just is not healthy in my eyes. though, however, some churches operate their programs with that intent in mind. that is not my case. it is just an observation of proper staffing and sometimes breaking down the numbers can reflect a lacking or strength.
another number i’ve done in the past is take the youth budget and divide it by the number of youth. it can reflect a financial support for the youth which can be, interesting.
I’m not even sure we see youth ministry as a “side” ministry. I’m beginning to think it’s all talk. Until we, as a denomination, see the youth as the torch bearers for our future and act accordingly, I’m afraid there’ll only be more tired, over-worked youth pastors such as yourself. I think another reason that the youth ministry isn’t given the recognition it deserves is because the youth don’t contribute financially as much as the rest of the congregation, therefore, (in some cases) they aren’t seen as complete, full members of the church. Sorry for the rant, Gavo, but this is one issue that just burns my craw.
I’m not even sure we see youth ministry as a “side” ministry. I’m beginning to think it’s all talk. Until we, as a denomination, see the youth as the torch bearers for our future and act accordingly, I’m afraid there’ll only be more tired, over-worked youth pastors such as yourself. I think another reason that the youth ministry isn’t given the recognition it deserves is because the youth don’t contribute financially as much as the rest of the congregation, therefore, (in some cases) they aren’t seen as complete, full members of the church. Sorry for the rant, Gavo, but this is one issue that just burns my craw.
I hear you and at times in my ministry, I could have written this post. Here is my question for you… why are you doing all that stuff? As a relationship person, you are exactly the right kind of leader who can relate to people, help them discover their skills and talents, and then inspire them to serve by doing any number of the things you listed. Working through others is often hard, but it is also the best way!
BTW, sounds like you have an awesome ministry.
I hear you and at times in my ministry, I could have written this post. Here is my question for you… why are you doing all that stuff? As a relationship person, you are exactly the right kind of leader who can relate to people, help them discover their skills and talents, and then inspire them to serve by doing any number of the things you listed. Working through others is often hard, but it is also the best way!
BTW, sounds like you have an awesome ministry.
thats a great question brian, and loaded.
part of it is that when i came to the church three years ago many of the folks had filled in at so many levels for so long, they wanted out. we had a complete change over of leadership, except for one couple. so a lot of it was me just doing what needed to be done to survive. while not knowing who all had gifts, or i could count on.
part of it is that our facilities staff is small, our space is big and used constantly (which i appreciate about our church) by community groups. so we get the minimal treatment. i actually do have an anonymous group of parents who will come and help with those types of problems, but they don’t work on a set schedule.
part of it is me. not being the admin naturally i am also not a natural organized delegating person. when i do it, i do it well, but many times i will take on something because i don’t want them to do something that i see as small worth. that is my issue and i am working through it.
another piece to that is to have thorough enough planning where the things you need done are planned out early enough and placed in the hands of the people you want to complete them in time to be done by the time you want them done. for me (and some of our leaders who are similar relationship people its why we called on them) that is tough to plan that way. for youth, it is almost impossible. but we are working on that too.
with the same thought there, i live in a culture where i am the gatekeeper for everything that happens. slowly we are empowering folks to act without my ‘pope’ blessing. that might provide other issues, but in the end, more capable apprentices of Christ. so trying to bust out of a one person show culture is needed.
that’s my honest response to your question brian. we like to feel that we are doing some right things. thanks for noticing
thats a great question brian, and loaded.
part of it is that when i came to the church three years ago many of the folks had filled in at so many levels for so long, they wanted out. we had a complete change over of leadership, except for one couple. so a lot of it was me just doing what needed to be done to survive. while not knowing who all had gifts, or i could count on.
part of it is that our facilities staff is small, our space is big and used constantly (which i appreciate about our church) by community groups. so we get the minimal treatment. i actually do have an anonymous group of parents who will come and help with those types of problems, but they don’t work on a set schedule.
part of it is me. not being the admin naturally i am also not a natural organized delegating person. when i do it, i do it well, but many times i will take on something because i don’t want them to do something that i see as small worth. that is my issue and i am working through it.
another piece to that is to have thorough enough planning where the things you need done are planned out early enough and placed in the hands of the people you want to complete them in time to be done by the time you want them done. for me (and some of our leaders who are similar relationship people its why we called on them) that is tough to plan that way. for youth, it is almost impossible. but we are working on that too.
with the same thought there, i live in a culture where i am the gatekeeper for everything that happens. slowly we are empowering folks to act without my ‘pope’ blessing. that might provide other issues, but in the end, more capable apprentices of Christ. so trying to bust out of a one person show culture is needed.
that’s my honest response to your question brian. we like to feel that we are doing some right things. thanks for noticing
At least with HFUMC, I don’t think it is just a youth issue. We have a lot of programming staff, but not much support staff. I know – I used to be one. We have one administrative person for four pastors. I think the church, in general, feels it gets more “bang for the buck” with program/pastoral staff, without realizing how much more program staff could accomplish if given the proper amount of support staff. I don’t know if you’ve brought this up to SPRC, but I don’t think it would hurt. Even a part-time administrative person for youth could be a big help to you!
At least with HFUMC, I don’t think it is just a youth issue. We have a lot of programming staff, but not much support staff. I know – I used to be one. We have one administrative person for four pastors. I think the church, in general, feels it gets more “bang for the buck” with program/pastoral staff, without realizing how much more program staff could accomplish if given the proper amount of support staff. I don’t know if you’ve brought this up to SPRC, but I don’t think it would hurt. Even a part-time administrative person for youth could be a big help to you!
i have mentioned it mark. i don’t expect mine to gain any spark anytime soon. there are too many needs to be addressed.
i have mentioned it mark. i don’t expect mine to gain any spark anytime soon. there are too many needs to be addressed.