Youth Ministry: The Domain of the Young?

Murray Brown

Perhaps it's in part a symptom of my own advancing years but I have become increasingly convinced of the value of having older people involved in youth ministry. By that I don't simply mean helping out with transport or at work in the kitchen. I mean in relational leadership roles, caring for and mentoring young people.

Not that I am advocating that we ditch our younger leaders in favour of the over 30's, 40's, and 50's. Far from it. We need both! Over the past year I've spoken to and interacted with a large number of youth leadership teams. Without doubt they are largely hardworking and effective. Yet those that have a sprinkling of these older leaders are far richer, and I would contend far more effective than those that do not.

Why have older people?

Firstly, older people bring life experience. They are able to help young people put life's experiences in perspective and to offer counsel proven through years of observation. They also bring parenting experience. Many have already raised their own teenagers or are in the process of doing so. They understand a parent's perspective on issues and can assist young people in understanding their parents.

Older people bring credibility to the ministry. Parents of teens are more apt to respect the ministry if older people are involved. When they have concerns about the ministry they will talk to these people and gain an adult's perspective of what is taking place.

Older people also bring stability. Any youth pastor knows that some of their biggest headaches come from young leaders on their leadership team. When the team is all young, immaturity will surface far more easily than if a good sprinkling of leaders are older.

Why don't we have more older leaders?

There are many reasons but primarily it's about insecurity. Firstly, insecurity on the part of the key youth leader/pastor who is reluctant to bring older people onto the team because they feel intimidated by them and fear that older people will tell them what they should be doing. It should be acknowledged that this does occur and so in bringing in older leaders we must ensure they are team players who show respect for young people and do not simply want to be involved because of selfish agendas.

The second reason is insecurity on the part of the older person. A youth pastor phoned me some years back and asked if I had any articles or resources he could share with an older leader on his team who felt he was too old to still lead. The youth pastor explained what a fantastic leader this man was, and when I inquired of their age was told they'd just turned 60! Older people have a contribution to make but many have been sold the lie that they have nothing to offer young people.

Recruiting Older Leaders

These insecurities must be overcome if our teams are to be filled with the richness that diversity of age brings. Firstly our own insecurities must be faced and overcome. Some years ago I took a three month sabbatical. In my absence the church assisted me in appointing a team of parents to act as an oversight group to assist the young leadership team. Some were reluctant, unsure that they had much to offer, but the limited length of commitment required encouraged them to become involved. When I returned not one of them wanted to leave the ministry. That group became a huge support and blessing to me through some difficult years that followed. I had had some bad experiences in the past that had predjudiced me against including older people. This team helped me overcome my insecurities and to realise that not all parents are out to control the ministry. Providing they are willing to respect you as leader and to be able to both constructively disagree and yet totally support you in your role they can be invaluable.

As for their own insecurities, older people need reassurance that although they may not be as up to date with youth culture as younger leaders they still have a lot to offer. Sometimes the best way is to ask them to commit for only a short space of time. That gives them a chance to see the ministry up close and to begin to get to know the young people. If they are a good "fit" then both you and they will know it before making a longer commitment. A good way to recruit the best people is to ask the young people themselves which older people in the church they like and respect. Then go to that older person armed with news of their popularity!

A Growing Trend

There is a trend evident in youth ministry today that we refer to as the "greying of youth ministry". Those of us in youth ministry are staying in it longer, while church are appointing older youth pastors, and bringing older people onto their youth leadership teams. In a world in which young people are increasing finding themselves relationally isolated we need leadership teams of not just surrogate big brothers and sisters but of surrogate parents, and even grandparents. Through this diversity we model the holistic communities of faith and support so essential for healthy adolescent growth.