Have you been brushing up the latest youth ministry techniques? Maybe you have been reading relational youth ministry strategies. At any rate, stop! That is probably not what your church pays you for.

Here is a short list of things your church does not pay for you for:

  • Building relationships with students
  • Preaching and or teaching
  • Praying for kids
  • Attending church and or worshipping
  • Studying your Bible
  • Loving kids
  • Discipling kids
  • Good Theology

If you are called to youth ministry, you will do these things regardless. There is no price tag you can place on it.  Besides, think about your yearly or quarterly reviews. Are you ever called on the carpet for any of these things? My guess is No. So, let me present a list of things you are probably paid for and  we all should be brushing up on:

  • Budgeting
  • Training and Leading a team
  • Fun activities and programming
  • Numeric Youth Group Growth
  • Ideas that will grow the church body
  • Paper work
  • Marketing
  • Organization
  • Understanding and Operating new Technology (AKA Social Media)
  • Handling Crisis (make everything better)

So, if you are about to be hired or are changing churches, don’t get confused for what you are actually paid for. The former list is what happens in the midst of the latter list. We live for the former list and endure the latter list. You might want start thinking about changing your summer reading list. Let me offer a few suggestions

And for those who still won’t give up connecting with kids, in spite of the fact that you are not getting paid for it. I recommend the book by Jonathan McKee called Connect. Great book.