The History of ‘REAL’ Youth Pastors??!

The beginnings of youth ministry, as I understand the term, took place in the mid-1800s, in the wake of the industrial revolution. Churches took note of all the young people who moved into central urban areas to work in factories and the church realized the need to ‘educate them’ on Sundays. While the primary goal of early youth ministry was education, a desirable secondary effect was that students would realize ‘they are sinners in need of forgiveness’.

True enough. But alas…

Thus began the cookie cutter model of formation. What was bound to happen, did happen: Many leaders out of frustration would work independently, not subjecting themselves to congregational scrutiny. This fostered the development of interdenominational teaching programs and, oh no, church leadership became fearful that they would lose all of their young members to these societies. The church was no longer in ‘control’ of their dear young flocks’ spiritual formation.

Soon after, the ‘Church of Christ’ flourished with the beginning of parachurch ministries, Christian Organizations that engaged in social welfare and evangelism without restricting itself to a specific religious denomination. Wow! Praise God! Soon thereafter, however, even younger adolescents began to see their organizations as institutionalized and irrelevant. Large group gatherings dwindled down into small meetings and then into nothing. Then specific church-based activities for youth emerged, as the dreaded ‘Friday night Youth Group’ began.

Enter stage left ‘the youth pastor’ position
that, in whole, is what I call…a CRISIS.

The root of the crisis can be found in the way youth ministries are structured. In the last 30 years, the ‘Church’ (the body of Christ or the institution of man?)  In North America has produced a generation of ‘professional’ youth pastors. Yup, that is, an energetic and enthused bunch, focused in a specific vocation, founded upon a specific specialized educational training with a resounding cry from our church fathers and missions implemented to ’round up our youth again and bring them into the churches’.  To do their job, they’ve got to schedule regular, effective, and relevant youth group meetings. They need to meet with parents. They have to go to staff meetings. They have to attend conferences. And yet, many of them stay at one church less than two years.

Hmm. something is TERRRIBLY wrong here.

The average youth worker got into the field because he wanted to disciple young people, or he himself was discipled by a youth pastor. But something happened along the way. He embraced a flawed model of discipleship and formation, perhaps because of history, perhaps because of ignorance- and so, charted a course to ineffectual ministry and ultimate burnout. Trapped by expectations, calendars, and a risk-averse evangelical culture which embraces a theologically sanitized, politically correct version of Jesus that would never take on religious authorities, much less try to cast out a demon or raise somebody from the dead.

THIS IS MY HOPE: not to fall into the trap and break from the trend. I refuse to follow and become like a ‘real’ youth pastor.

I prefer the vulgar, offensive, language of the kingdom of God. But that’s for my next post!

Bye for Now,
Christian.
A ‘REAL’ youth pastor.