6 ½ Things Student Ministers Wish Senior Pastors Understood

Sometimes, in efforts to reach youth, we can overlook student ministers and their tireless efforts. Here’s what they want pastors to know.

By Zac Workun

“Youth ministry is ministering to the next generation of the church now!” It’s a refrain often repeated from pulpits and on conference platforms. There are hundreds of nationwide and statewide initiatives to reach young people.

However, sometimes, in efforts to reach youth, we can overlook student ministers and their tireless efforts.

So, from 19 years of experience and a little help from my youth ministry friends, here are some things we would want every local senior pastor to know about youth ministering.

1. Teens today are challenging

Although some things about young people never change, unfortunately, some things really have changed. Even in the past four years, the whole world of youth ministry is different. My old plans, programs, events, and illustrations that used to feel timeless need to be rethought. I’ve been doing this for a long time, and I feel more like a rookie now than ever before.

“Although some things about young people never change, unfortunately, some things really have changed. Even in the past four years, the whole world of youth ministry is different.” — @zacworkun Share on X

Teenagers today are challenging but also caught up in some seismic changes: the overwhelming burden of technological changes, social media pressures, increasing polarization, mental health issues, the list goes on.

Student ministers are embedded in trying to understand and engage these challenges. We don’t have it all figured out, but we often have expertise to share. Pastor, I want you to know I can be a cultural translator and not just an ambassador to a younger audience.

Things move faster and are more confusing than I can parse out for you. I’m learning something new each day, and I want your wisdom and our team to talk these things out.

2. The reality of relational ministry = slow growth

The statement, “Youth ministry is all about relationships,” is accurate and therefore, unfortunately, slow-moving.

For teenagers, relationships are everything. Great student ministers know building trust and genuine connections is essential for effective ministry. This often means spending time outside of church programming attending school events or simply planning extra time to hang out with students.

Pastor, I want you to know this is both a strategic aim and the relational approach. Help me know how I can evidence my accountability.

I want them to be convinced that student ministry is as important as adult ministry.“

3. I need clear expectations and flexibility in our programming

Youth ministry requires a level of flexibility that can sometimes be at odds with more structured church programs. Teens’ lives are filled to the brim and often teeming with last-minute changes. It’s one of the challenges we deal with now. Do you know how hard it is to get students to commit to events and gatherings?

“Youth ministry requires a level of flexibility that can sometimes be at odds with more structured church programs.” — @zacworkun Share on X

Effective student ministry often involves adapting plans and being responsive to the needs of the moment. Pastors, one of the best ways you can support student ministry is by providing the freedom to be flexible and giving clear expectations for what’s essential.

Youth ministry isn’t the same as a regular 9-5 job. Hours can be very weird, and it has a physical, emotional, and spiritual drain that regular work doesn’t have.”

4. I want to go to coffee with you

I know you have a lot going on, but could we try and carve out coffee just once a month? It would be nice to hear from you in a setting that’s not Sunday or sit with you as a minister outside of a regular staff meeting. I think you would find that if anyone else understood the endless demand of ministry, it would be your youth minister. I don’t have your experience, but I am entrenched in our congregation as well. Lord bless ’em, am I right?

A coffee with you might go a long way in helping us both feel less burnout by the work, the demands, and the isolation that comes with being for our people all the time. More than that, I want to learn from you about the calling we share, not just the jobs we have.

5. I don’t want to do this alone

Pastor, I don’t have it all figured out, but the more I do this, the more I realize effective youth ministry is not a one-person show. I’ve tried it that way, and I’ve learned the hard way that I need a whole system of support. Youth ministry takes mentors, leaders, parents, supportive staff, and a senior pastor who will champion the next generation.

Your role has a gravity with the adults, parents, and other ministry leaders that I could never have, and together I believe we can build a church culture that values youth ministry so more adults value and shepherd teenagers. I need your gravitas to encourage cross-generational mentors and prayer partners.

[I want senior pastors to understand] the importance of generational connections. It is a two-way street. It is easier to accept and realize that the younger generation needs the older generation, but the older generation needs to remind the younger generation that they need them too.” 

6. I desire a safe place for open communication (i.e. ideas, innovations, feedback, and failure)

Pastor, first of all, if I haven’t said it lately, “Thank you.” I’m sure there are a dozen things you’ve done for me that I’m totally unaware of.

I want to offer you this: I am willing to step into a deeper relationship of trust, because I want the best possible chance to create, dream, work hard, and try things for the kingdom.

I know misunderstandings and frustrations can arise when there’s a lack of clear communication between senior pastors and student ministers. But I believe if we can have regular, honest, and open conversations about the importance of reaching the next generation together we can build trust toward thriving ministry.

Trust and support are crucial to my success. It may not always look normal, but there is always a reason that I do what I do, and I always have a goal in mind. Trust the process.”

½. Youth ministry is a long game in a short season

This last one is a half point because it is never really completed. The work is not yet finished. Youth ministry is always in progress.

Working with students is often seen as a stepping-stone to “real” ministry roles, because students step through from kids to young adult ministry. However, the impact of great youth ministry extends far beyond the teenage years. Good churches don’t just have good youth ministries. Great youth ministries build up great churches. Gospel seeds sown in the lives of young people can bear fruit for a lifetime. Spiritual practices, vibrant small groups, and the importance of retreats are all things I want the whole congregation to value, not just our teens.

“Good churches don’t just have good youth ministries. Great youth ministries build up great churches.” — @zacworkun Share on X

Pastor, I want you to know I believe in the next generation, and part of that vision is getting them involved, making them feel seen, and supporting them now. Together, can we create a local church where students feel heard and valued, not just within youth ministry, but across the whole community?

This open communication fosters a sense of teamwork and ensures both parties are aligned in their mission to serve the church and its young members.

We aren’t done yet!

Pastor, I want you to know that the stronger our relationship, the better I believe the youth ministry will be for our congregation.

Ministry work is hard. Students are freshly challenging. When senior pastors and student ministers work together with mutual respect and understanding, they create a powerful partnership that can transform lives and communities.

For permission to republish this article, contact Marissa Postell Sullivan.