The First 3 Years

Posted: 6th May 2009 by John in Uncategorized
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Hey my name is John and I’m the youth pastor at VCC in Virginia Beach , VA! This is such a great way to communicate to each other and build each other up. I wanted to talk about something that I am recently going thru. I was at another church and I actually left at the 3 year mark and so now I am coming to the 3 year mark here at vineyard, and I’m seeing some of the same problems. Maybe some of you have been in youth ministry longer and so you can speak into this which would be great in my opinion but maybe there’s some volunteers out there or youth pastors new at the job. I recently met with a youth pastor and he talked about the first 1-3 years you are running off hype basically and then the next phase 3-5 is actually when you start building the church. Now I don’t like to hear that the 3 years of my life, what I have worked so hard for can be just thrown into a cateogory of “Hype” but I feel that there are different seasons in youth ministry and if we can help each other navigate through these seasons then we as a Vineyard Team will be better at equipping our youth ministries to outlast these seasons and better reach teens. I really want to build a youth ministry that outlast me and my personality. Is there anyone out there that has any thoughts on what I’m saying here? I know that I’m currently having a hard time reaching new Youth. Is there anyone that has seen anything like this or is currently feeling like ur momentum is not there? How can we get it back? How can we freaking break our city’s open for God? Can Broken Youth really become heathly and lead the church?  Just some thoughts and I just put down what I was thinking today..  I read a book called Sustainable Youth Ministry that was absoutely incredible… i think everyone should read it.. def…

  1. Christian says:

    John, great thoughts! I don’t really feel like I have definitive answers on this, but yes I am facing this. I had a “peer youth ministry” that I led for 10 years starting as a teen. Then in my mid twenties I had to totally re-invent our youth ministry for the next generation. Now I’ve been doing that group for over 5 years, and again we are hitting transition. One thing I’m trying to learn is that with youth ministry, I need to always be looking at leaders in three stages. 1) Seasoned and older (even into early twenties) who can really drive the ministry and do what I do; 2) totally ready teens (14-19 usually) who should be the heart of my leadership, helping us craft a relevant ministry; 3) the noobs – too young to lead, but full of potential. I am trying to connect with all three in order to make sure that our ministry is not about me, but about what THEY need. Not saying I’ve got it – just saying I’m shooting for it :)

  2. Jenna says:

    Thanks for posting John! I think the first few years are reallly about relationship building. You are getting a feel for the city, the youth, the parents, the staff you are on or assisting, the Sr. leadership…and sooo much more. In many cases, if there is any sort of “difficulty” with the guy or gal that was the youth leader before you, this can take even longer.
    I know I have been working with the youth in Lewiston for almost 2 years and feel like I am just now getting to a place of feeling like my leadership team is gelling…and that is a continuous effort and room for growth.
    I’ve heard many pastors say that the 3-5 year mark is when it just starts to come together…though from what I see it’s pretty much a continuous effort towards seeking the Father’s heart, welcoming Him to move in a fresh way (in my heart, in my leadership team and in our youth…both those that are already coming and those who I don’t know yet.)
    Lord, would you give all of us a fresh touch, fresh ideas, fresh anointing…show us any of the places that we need to let go of old wineskin (ways of doing stuff) and give us the new wineskin! We pray for leaders to join our teams that have fresh ideas, servant hearts and an infectious passion for the youth of our cities! Have Your way! Amen