20 Youth Pastor Expectations On Day 1

Youth Pastor ExpectationsI believe that one of the reasons Youth Pastors struggle for longevity and tend to burn out so quickly are the expectations that are present from day one.  It has been my experience that most Youth Pastors are ill prepared to tackle all of the unsaid, assumed expectations of being a Youth Pastor.

Most of these things are somewhere in the job description, but rarely clearly spelled out.  To be honest, there is NO ONE on the planet who is able to do all of these things.  You need a team.

That said, here are 20 Youth Pastor Expectations that are present on day 1 on the job:

  1. Manage Budget
  2. Cast Vision
  3. Market Ministry
  4. Plan Events
  5. Fundraise
  6. Study
  7. Teach/Preach
  8. Recruit Volunteers
  9. Train Volunteers
  10. Counsel teens and families
  11. Manage time
  12. Decorating and design
  13. Web developing
  14. Social Media
  15. Campus Ministry
  16. Evangelism
  17. Planning and leading mission trips
  18. Camps/Retreats
  19. Communication
  20. Tech Guru

What other things would you add to this list?  Are there other things that you feel the pressure to be able to do?  Did you feel equipped and ready to do these on day 1?

About the Author
I am a Youth Ministry veteran of twenty four years, and currently serve as the Student Pastor at High Desert Church.  I help equip and encourage Youth Pastors through this blog and podcast The Longer Haul.  My passion is helping Youth Pastors create a ministry of longevity that they truly love.  I am the grateful husband of Sarah and the dad of Emma, Anna, Lizzy, and Jack.  I am a speaker, lover of vintage VW’s, and the owner of one 1972 VW Westfalia Bus.

3 comments on “20 Youth Pastor Expectations On Day 1

  1. Dave Miller says:

    Put a end to all clique’s in the church youth ministry

    1. Jody says:

      Absolutely Dave

  2. creg says:

    Hi Jody, I’m starting youth ministry at our small church of Worcester. There are a lot of ongoing events within our church but I’ve been called to minister to the youth at our church. I’m also a dad of three beautiful girls. Lets go baby!

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