Youth Ministry

Youth pastors like Dave are currently having an existential moment. Over half of all Millennials raised in the church have gone on to leave their religious affiliation behind, leaving church leaders concerned about the future and growth of their congregations, both for their own livelihoods and the future of faith itself. A recent study from the Barna Group states: “The most unchurched Americans are Millennials, so it comes as no surprise that youth ministry is a priority for many churches.”

With that in mind, today’s pastors have several goals in mind for their youth ministry. Foremost among them is building relationships, between the youth and the church, the youth and the pastor, and of course, between the youth themselves. Youth ministry is essentially a teaching laboratory, a safe place for young people to gather and to learn how to become functional adults and develop a personal faith that is unchanging in an ever-changing world.

While youth groups are often based around church events, mission trips, and the like, the Barna Group found that these activities are not enough to sustain membership. With so many opportunities for entertainment and social engagement, many of today’s teens no longer find fulfillment of those needs within the church. As a result, interest in youth groups has decreased, and with it, the number of overall congregants and practitioners.

The change affects churches on a financial level as well. The fewer congregants, the fewer youth to engage, the less money the church brings in, and the less youth ministers and others are able to earn. In 2015, a survey of youth pastor salaries reported that half of all church employees responsible for youth engagement have taken on second jobs in order to support themselves. Salaries are decreasing and in some cases, the role of youth minister is a volunteer position, or eliminated entirely.

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