The End of Your Youth Ministry

I know it’s the beginning of the year and so the topic may seem ironic. This was actually to be sent out last December but I’m posting it here for Level 1 graduates who didn’t get their copy in the mail. As you read on I do hope you find encouragement from it. May you have a wonderful fresh start to the year ahead!

Like accident or deadly disease, this is not a topic I or any youth worker really wants to dwell on. Haven’t we known fellow leaders who have left the ministry in very bad circumstances and hoped that the same would not happen to us? It is one topic though that I still want to discuss with you because preparing for the end of your part in youth ministry is needed in order that your youth ministry does not end.

That may sound confusing but let me explain. The average age of the youth leader may be shorter than you think. There are few documented studies on how long a youth leader spends in ministry but the ones I read come to the same conclusion: there is a very high turnover rate for youth leaders (see these for example). Possible causes for the end of ministry are numerous: burnout, conflict with leadership, lack of adequate training or resources, etc. Not all the reasons are bad. God could call you to take up another role in his service which also happens regularly.

The thing is an abruptly ended youth ministry will probably harm youth more than help them. In their constantly changing world, teens need people who they can depend on. Youth workers who leave year after a year will not create an environment to help teens at all. If we are not preparing for the time we leave, we may leave the youth ministry worse off than when we started.

Thinking about the end of our youth ministry will also improve the quality of it. When time doesn’t matter we tend to spend it on frivolous things. And when we have run out of time we think of all the things we could have possibly done. Keeping in mind that we have limited time will help us to focus on the things that will last. And when our ministry does end whether naturally or suddenly we will have no regrets knowing we have said and done the things that were important.

Christ Jesus was one who saw the end of his ministry quite clearly. In the gospel of Mark, for example, he tells his disciples on four different occasions that the Son of Man will be murdered (Mark 8:31, 9:9-10, 9:31, 10:33-34). Once he was told that Herod wanted to kill him and he replied, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I finish my course.” (Luke 13:32). That his ministry would end and the manner of it did not sway him from his course rather it was to his advantage.

In much the same way, let’s consider our course from beginning to end. Think about the endeavor you are undertaking. Many of us came into youth ministry unintentionally (some accidentally), and may not have thought about this much, but no matter where you are in your ministry it will be helpful to consider it in its entirety. Consider the plans that have been laid down or the vision that has been given. What do you hope to accomplish for your ministry? What is the big picture you hope would happen when your time is done?

Now, think about how much time realistically you may have in your ministry. More often than not we may not have enough time to do all that we have in mind and our plans must be refocused or revised. Perhaps you may also need to recommit yourself. As you dwell on these things I hope you would see your time in youth ministry as not just a passing season but a worthy calling, worth spending your life on.

Having said that, I still challenge you to prepare for the end of your role in youth ministry. Let’s plan as though our ministry will continue for a long time but prepare for contingencies should we be gone in two to three years. Consider that Jesus himself spent approximately 3 years in his ministry. And again keep in mind that our calling as youth ministers has one of the shortest terms on average. I was reminded of this recently when my superior asked me to start praying and looking for people to take up key roles I am currently handling, pointing out that we never know when or where God would call us next so it is good to be prepared.

The apostle Paul too, did much the same thing as he knew his time was coming to an end. He puts concisely what he hoped to be accomplished in a letter to Timothy: “What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” (2 Timothy 2:2). If we would want our ministry to bloom and grow long after we are gone then this must be a top priority of ours. If you have only been a few years as a leader you may not quite feel the urgency the way Paul did. But consider that Timothy was probably only a few years into his ministry when Paul charged him with it so let us take the command to heart also.

Here are some ways to turn this charge into action.

1.    Pray – Before jumping in, consider how crucial this process is and ask God for guidance. Jesus himself spent the whole night in prayer before choosing those who would be his apostles. (Luke 6:12). Or perhaps the opposite may be true: you may feel overwhelmed or unprepared with the whole idea. Don’t despair or give up. Our heavenly Father will give wisdom to all who ask.

2.    Look – for the people to whom you can turn over your role in the ministry. One common reason that we don’t entrust our ministry to others is that there is no one to entrust it to. Be on guard though, another widespread situation is that we become too eager here that we entrust our ministry to the unfaithful or to people who are not in the position to teach. One way to avoid both is to be serious in your commitment to disciple

3.    Focus on a Few – Think of the Lord Jesus who addressed crowds numbering in the thousands. Yet most of his time in ministry was actually spent with twelve. Of these, there were 3 with whom he shared the more personal events of his life: Peter, James and John. When we think of the time given to us to train those who will take our place, we too can most realistically train only three or less to effectively take up our role. The less number of people the more focused, the more intense the process of multiplying your life unto others. And only in a close intimate circle can we share our life.

4.    Begin immediately. To train people to continue on the ministry will be a long process so the sooner you start the better.

As you meditate on these words, take encouragement from our Savior whose example we follow. After completing his work on earth He gave his disciples a promise and a mission. That mission has been passed on from generation to generation, it is the same one all our ministries are part of. And the same promise holds for you, surely He will be with you too, enabling you to complete the good work he’s given you.

Alvan Tauli
Philippines Training Coordinator
Global Youth Ministry Network-Asia

Reflection and Action Items:

1. Read through the book of Mark or 2nd Timothy reflecting on what has been discussed here. Study how Paul and Jesus prepared for the end of their ministry.
2. List down the main things you want to accomplish in your current youth ministry.
3. How many years in your estimate do you have to give to your present youth ministry?
4. Can you realistically do all the things you’ve set out to do with the number of years you estimate you have? If not revise your list or recommit time.
5. Where are you in the process of entrusting your ministry to faithful men who will be able to teach others? Write down practical steps you can do this month to begin or continue this process.
6. Set a time to create a whole year plan specifically for this area.
7. Share your plans with a mentor or a peer. Enlist their help so that you can remain on track with the goals you set.