youthpastor.in.transit

I'm a youth pastor and I'm currently in my second transition. I left my first position as a full-time paid intern because the 2 year contract I signed was up. I consider this a legit position because I was leading and giving oversight to the high school ministry at one of the church's multisite campuses. At the end of my contract a position was available for full-time but I didn't get hired for it. It was clear to me, after I had a number of discussions with leadership, that this decision was hard for them. I respect them for putting in the prayer and making a challenging call.

This time around my transition is much different. I was hired as a full-time middle school director. Not many churches have the resources to hire a full-time position for middle school so this gives you an idea of my current church's size. After 1 year here I felt a strong call from God that my time was coming to an end. This transition is extremely difficult because I need to respond to God's call and make the hard decision this time.

There are a lot of things we have to navigate when transitioning out of our positions. Here are some thoughts from a youth pastor in transition.

Leaving is hard

Leaving a position as a youth pastor can be extremely difficult. When working with students the investment is much more than pizza parties and chaperoning. In some cases we watch our students grow up from being hand fed spiritual milk to feeding themselves on a daily basis. Putting the growth of your current students into someone else's hands can feel like you are abandoning them. The highly relational nature of what youth pastors do always makes this process tough. Don’t try and make it easy. Let it be hard. Be honest with students about your concerns and use this as a teachable moment. Create messages in your last weeks about student leadership and challenge them to trust God with their future. Redeem this difficult moment into something full of Jesus, hope, and renewal.  

How do you leave?

I know that I have to do everything I can to help my students see that this decision is a calling. Before you leave over communicate that it’s not because of something the students did. Reinforce your love for the students and faith in God.

Leaving is an opportunity to cast vision for the future and empower others for ministry. If a leader has lead well then the transition should produce fruit. Good leaders have other very capable leaders under them that can sustain the responsibilities of the ministry until a permanent replacement is found. If you have been slacking on the investment you made in leaders it will show here. Make sure to invest in the leaders without asking them to do your job or the next guys job.

DO NOT THROW A PITTY PARTY! 
There is nothing worse than making this transition about us. God didn’t call us to ministry because we’re special. God has a plan for students regardless of who the leader is. We must make it a priority to help the students and the staff see our hope and faith in God. Encourage them in their faith and what God has planned for them. People may want to throw a pity party for you but those parties have to be crashed with hope and positive reinforcement.   

We are not in control of how people react
Sometimes people can be the driving force behind why we do what we do. We love the students God has put under our care. It’s obvious that we have invested in them with our blood, sweat, and tears. In my case that is literally true. We have to be prepared for any responses that may come from others. Sometimes the responses from students can be hurtful. If we have done the hard work of following Jesus then we know our decision, although it’s a good decision, may not make sense to a lot of people. We have to be understanding and display the grace and forgiveness of Jesus Christ. We are in control of how we respond. Create space so that you have extra time to respond to what’s going on rather than react in the chaos. Always communicate truth with grace.

           

Fight the temptation to check out early

God has called us to ministry for a reason. We have been given a responsibility to take care of those students. Have faith that God will take care of things like, where you will move to, and how this will affect finances. We will rarely get disappointed by doing our best and taking it one step at a time. It seems impossible to give your best if you are focused on yourself and not God. Keep your eyes on the work at hand. God will prepare the next place for you. 

Prayer and fasting

This spiritual discipline is one of the few things that Jesus actually commands us to do. We learn from Jesus that going away to pray and fast builds a stronger relationship with God. (Mark 1:35) Prayer and fasting is an act of surrender and respect, it's an invitation into the heart, and it's an offering of our will to be directed by God, it provides new discovery and opportunities. Without it we fight for air as the waves toss us around in a sea of fear and anxiety. I know this may sound like an obvious thing for a Christ follower to do but the truth is that prayer and fasting should be a regular part of our lives. Make sure you pray and you fast about this extremely important change in your life and the lives of those around you.

Thanks for reading my blog.
Are you in transition? I would love feedback. Thanks!