Throughout decades of youth ministry, I’ve noticed many trends. Lately, an increasing number of churches are eliminating the youth leader position. Instead, they’re appointing the catch-all position of family pastor to oversee children through college age.
Although I’m totally for family ministry (I’m a parent, after all), I recommend against eliminating the youth pastor position in a church. With that as a backdrop, I’d like to plug the many benefits of youth ministry.
Here are 10 reasons youth ministry (and, therefore, youth leaders) are more crucial than ever for the future of the church.
Why Youth Ministry Matters
1. Youth ministry is the best bellwether (or predictor) for the future of the church.
2. Youth ministry done well is the best “farm club” for future world-changers.
3. Disciple-multiplying youth leaders often turn into disciple-multiplying church planters and pastors.
4. Well-led teenagers can set the pace for prayer and evangelistic excitement church-wide.
5. Teenagers keep the pain reverberating in our society close to the surface. That way, adults can know how to minister to their culture.
6. Godly, loving youth leaders are like parents to an increasingly un-parented generation of teens.
7. Teenagers have a built in “bologna barometer” that keeps hypocrites in churches on their toes.
