Resolved Debates
A youth pastor should be the servant of the senior pastor, and execute his vision for the youth department. 31%
69%
In line of authority, the youth pastor should be under the senior pastor. If the senior pastor has specific guidelines or a specific direction and vision for the youth department, the youth pastor is obligated to honor those guidelines in his ministry. In Youth Ministry
Created by 
|
Rate Now:
Average Rating: 3.50 / 2 ratings
|
hot topic, but i'm going to agree. most pastors of churches (in my opinion) actually function as an elder - spiritual leader of the church. while they don't have sole authority like a dictator over the church, there is a level of respect and alignment that should exist among the staff...especially if the pastor is the spiritual leader/shepherd of the church.
There are too many nuances is this question to have a clear agree or disagree for me. Basically, the vision for the youth ministry does need to generally coincide with the vision for the church. It's not the vision for the youth ministry that the SP needs to have, but one for the church of which students are a part. If the YP and SP are on different pages philisophically, then that's a problem. The youth pastor is under the authority of the SP. If that means that the SP has to use the authority and force things, there are problems. If the YP's input is not taken seriously or considered, this is a problem. The theory of it is true, but if there is a heavy authoritarian tone (because of either party), there is trouble on the way.
I sooo totally agree with you, Adam. My Pastor and I operate differently and my program ideas are often overridden. I do not feel like I can really create or that my role is really respected. I feel like I am a mouthpiece; I am actually told what to say oftentimes. I am frustrated and just want to leave the church. If the Senior Pastor believes that you are called then there needs to be respect for the role of the youth leader. My Pastor is very authoritive and often times "takes over" as opposed to "suggests" or "helps". I have often cried about this and am ready to take a walk. So, yes I am in agreement for the Youth Leader to support the vision of the Senior Pastor but there must be respect to the differences in ministry gifts.
As an arogant and prideful human being one of the hardest things for me to do is submit. That said it is essential the that associate staff be on the same page with the Sr. Pastor and the Elders as far as the vision of the church is considered. Servant might be a strong word and good leaders don't micro-manage but the vision needs to at least be compatible if not the same. Sometimes that means the youth pastor has to be a good sales person and help the Sr. see how his vision is being accomplished through the methods of the youth ministry. Sorry to be the contrarian again.
I agree with ya, John. I guess the word "servant" makes this debate's topic too strong for me, like a YP can have no opinion of his/her own.
I agree that you should be a servent under the Senior Pastor, but the Youth Ministry is your ministry not so so your pastors. Yes the Pastor and the Church can have a say on certain things. For example my Senior Pastor has given me the liberty to run it the way I feel lead too. So I love it, I am never worried what the pastor might think. Just as long I don't cross and lines such as biblical doctrine.
|
We are to facilitate ministry to students and as much as possible, family ministry. The only person's "agenda I care about is Jesus'.
I believe that you were hired for your vision. Not because of the ability to execute commands at the will of a SP. Your role is to see that the vision of the Youth Ministry program follows the vision of the church. Within that call, your responsibility is to uphold the larger vision of the church..that is where the senior pastors guidance is to be nurtured. But, you are not accountable to him for all vision, direction, and plan of action. I think you have to approach it with the idea that you are in this together. Persuing the larger vision while adhereing to your God given call as a Christ appointed leader. Your responsibility is to be a helper to the senior pastor not an underling.
It is the Job of the YP to free the SP to operate in his gifting. I do believe the the SP should operate as a FIRST among EQUALS. He should be in charge of vision and leadership of the flock God has entrusted to Him. The Youth Pastor should be available to assist him in that and do the Lead/Cast Vision with in the youth department under the headship of the SP
When I was 'hired' it was in part due to the fact that my vision and passion for ministry coincided with the SP and church. We had the same vision, and this is important. I believe that the YP should have authority to direct the youth "department" as the Lord leads him, if this was a role of the SP, then there would be no need for a YP- we do more than just 'preach to the kids'. But I would never go in a direction or introduce anything that is offline or counter-productive to the vision of the church. My youth ministry is not its own deal apart from the church (which would be a para-church org.), it is just another area of ministry of the church. *Side note: in my mind I find it hard to 'honor' if it is out of obligation.
NO NO NO! I do believe, however, that a youth minister should have such a good relationship with the senior pastor that the overall direction of the church should filter down into the youth ministry, but not by force. A senior shepherd should cast a vision in such a way that it catches fire in the youth ministry as well!
Wow, that is a scary statement. My pastor doesn't micro-manage the youth ministry, nor should he. He hired me to do a job, not just submit to what he wants. Like others have said, we talk and debate issues to make sure we align the same way, but in no way does he dictate to me how the youth ministry should run or even any aspect of the ministry. He is my guide within the church, giving me help when I need it and I keep him in the loop of what is going on.
I disagree with the term servant.
My pastor and I share common beliefs on a foundational level. We covered these things before I was hired. We both wanted to make sure that we saw eye to eye on basic foundational beliefs and a few other things, so as we got a few years down the road we did not have odds with each other.
Absolutely not! In fact, the very nature of the debate suggests that any church that functions like that is very unhealthy. This may work great as a business model, but not as a "body/community" model that churches are supposed to be.
|
- Previous
- 1
- Next