Youth Ministry FAQ: Volume 3 - Senior Pastor Edition

From time to time we to take a pause form the normal articles and take the time to answer a few questions from you: the youth ministry nation. Here are two recent questions, and our thoughts on each.

What do I say to people who tell me that they prefer me to speak instead of our senior pastor?
You pinch hit for the senior pastor while they are away on vacation – your sermon is funnier and most importantly … quite a bit shorter. As the sanctuary empties, and you stand at the exit shaking hands, you hear the same things from more than a couple people: They like your message a little bit more than the senior pastor. How should you respond?

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This is a great question – and one that’s actually pretty common. First off, make sure you don’t put too much stock in the compliments – the biggest reason they liked your sermon is because you aren’t the same old voice they hear every week. Everybody likes change now and then, and pew-sitters are no different. If you preached every Sunday for a few months, you would no longer be the “flavor of the month”. I (Kurt) only get to preach to the adults once a year or so, and people really seem to like it. Of course, people also like going to the dentist once a year! Prepare yourself with a quick but supportive comeback; something like how much easier it is to teach occasionally and be a new voice to the congregation. You will never lose with humility. Believe it or not, senior pastors are real people with real feelings and real insecurities. Encourage your senior pastor to their face and behind his or her back and you’ll always win.

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What is a comparable salary from a youth pastor to a senior pastor?
Why would you want to compare salaries? Comparing your salary to somebody else’s will only lead to bitterness, and that’s something you can’t afford (get it…that was a pun). I (Josh) remember being super frustrated over a Pastor Appreciation love offering where I was given a small share of the gift and the senior pastor was given the lion’s share. In hindsight, I recognize that he also carried the lion’s share of the leadership burden and overall direction of the church. The lesson is simple: when you compare, you lose. If you feel you are being underpaid or simply can’t make ends meet, it might be a good idea to look up the regional/denomination salaries (Group Magazine does a great annual study on the subject) and submit them for consideration.