Refocus, Communicate and Repeat

One of the challenges of being an interim youth pastor is the limited time frame. On average I have served in churches as an interim for 8 to 10 months, and as youth workers we know that any significant spiritual growth in a student’s life takes on-going discipleship and requires longevity on the part of the youth worker. And whether you’re an interim, or just coming in as the new full-time youth worker, a common hurdle we face can be a leadership team that has been working more on the program rather than focused on the vision for the youth ministry.

I faced this during one of my previous interims. The youth pastor had been let go because he was very relational (more of a buddy) and lacked any leadership skills. The volunteer leaders had been left without any leading and equipping, and they filled the calendar with events in an attempt to, “keep the students from leaving” until the position was filled. Without a doubt it posed a challenge from my first day, but after refocusing, communicating, and then repeating we saw significant change within the youth ministry as a whole within the first couple of months.

Redo and/or Refocus—The youth ministry may already have a vision and purpose statement, but over time it was not communicated or lived out. If there’s one in place, refocus and redirect your leadership team back to that vision and purpose. If one isn't in place, develop one and immediately start communicating and repeating it. You’ll find that volunteer leaders who have been left without a leader are craving and waiting for someone to not only communicate but also lead the vision. They want and need to know how they fit into the big picture of the youth ministry and see you living that vision with passion.

Communicate and Repeat—From the beginning, how and what you communicate to your adult volunteers will make all the difference. Communicating the vision and purpose for the youth ministry must be communicated and repeated often. Yes, you may sound like a squawking parrot but if the leaders, parents, and students are used to an unhealthy pattern it will take communicating the vision and purpose to redirect their focus. So refocus, communicate, and repeat...often.