How Do You Define Your Role as a Youth Worker?
I used to have a football coach that would constantly say/scream the phrase, “Know your role.” It was his way of communicating the importance of players knowing their specific responsibility on any given play. In theory, if players knew their role, a play could be executed effectively.
It’s important for us as youth workers to know our roles. And, as he so often does, the apostle Paul has something to say about this. Referring to his calling in relation to the Church, Paul states this in Colossians 1:25:
“I became a minister [of the church] according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known.” (ESV)
So, according to Paul, he is a minister of the church (NIV says “servant”), not necessarily by choice, but because God has appointed him to this office. And look at the guiding principle behind this appointment: it’s an office of stewardship. God has appointed Paul a steward of His people.
This word “steward” is a pretty cool one. It’s the Greek word oikonomos, meaning “a manager or a superintendent.” IVP’s NT Commentary defines stewards as “managers of large household estates.” These guys would not only run the house in their master’s presence, but were responsible for it while he was gone. They were left to look after the master’s possessions in his absence, in a manner reflective of the master’s desires . . . in other words, as if they were the master.
How does this help us define our roles as youth workers?
As a youth worker, I believe God has specifically placed you in your local church. No matter the crazy circumstances that might have led to you being there, I believe God has appointed you to this particular calling. And your appointment is guided by the principle of stewardship. God has charged you with carrying out your ministry in the spirit of one who is attending to the affairs of his or her master. The Master has charged you with representing Him.
As a steward, you are tasked with carrying out your work as God would have you do it as if He were actually present with you. Our view of the teenagers we serve should be God’s view of them. Our view of the work we do should be God’s view of the work of tending to His people.
So here’s a few questions:
- Do you carry out your work in such a way that you are first and foremost mindful of the students who have been entrusted to you? Does what is best for them come before what may be best for you?
- Does a principle of stewardship permeate the difficult interactions that will inevitably occur? When that one parent (you know the one) shoots another “dart” in your direction, do you handle it as one appointed by God to represent Him? When the senior pastor doesn’t agree with your agenda or pushes his too far, are you responding as a steward called and appointed by God?
- When you feel underappreciated, overworked, or completely misused, are you able to judge your worth based not on how others treat you, but on how closely your servanthood imitates Christ’s? After all, you are called to act in His place, to love and care for His people as He would.
Stewardship is a high calling. But be encouraged: God has placed you where you are in confidence. The Master believes you can serve His people as His representative. Know your role. Let a spirit of stewardship permeate your ministry.
Andy Blanks is the co-founder of youthministry360. Andy has worked in youth ministry for 12 years, almost exclusively writing, designing, and developing curriculum. Andy is a teacher at heart and loves to challenge teenagers and youth workers alike through his writing and speaking.
Share your thoughts with the youthministry360 community:
- Where do you see Scripture pointing to another way of looking at our roles as youth workers?
- What are the challenges of having a spirit of stewardship?
“Imitate me as I imitate Christ” is key, I believe. I think Micah 6:8 has distilled that down to key components:
He has told you, O man, what is good;
and what does the LORD require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God.
Justice, kindness, and being humble in front of each other and in front of God.
I am convinced that our teens may not remember the study we did on James in 10 years, (although there are seed planted), but they will remember how I handled a dispute with another leader, or how I treated them when they were less than fun to be with. We, as leader, have the potential to anchor these kids spiritually by the lives they see us live in front of them. If they see our love for Christ is real and our love for them is real, then they will know in the very deepest recesses of their souls that Christ is real and life changing.
Yes . . . Great biblical definition of our role.
I listened to Josh McDowell speak recently. He claimed ( and I am paraphrasing) that the difference between this generation of teenagers and past generations is how they view people living lives that do not match up with their professed faith. Past generations of young people see someone acting incongruous with their faith and they say, “That person is wrong. They are not acting in accordance with truth.” McDowell said this current generation of teenagers sees someone acting in ways that go against their faith and they say, “That faith must not be true.” I think McDowell is right on. More than ever, our actions must line up with our faith. We must teach Scripture, but we must be sure to live it boldly in front of our students.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Kathleen, and thanks for being part of the YM360 community!
I am encouraged by this post. As I equip our volunteer small group leaders for the fall kick-off, they will be reminded that the students will “follow them” as “THEY” follow Christ. The responsibility isn’t deferred to the Youth Pastor. What a great Scripture to use encourage parents as the primary leaders in the spiritual formation of their children.
Great post!
Thanks, David. And thanks for stopping by.
I have found that we, as leaders, sell ourselves short. I remember once years ago when I was a much more immature Christ-follower, finding myself in a conversation with a guy I had openly shared my faith with. He was complaining about Christians and the seemingly incompatibility with their message and lifestyles. I remember saying, “Don’t do what I do, do what Jesus does!” Looking back, I think my motive was pure: just wanting him to see a truly accurate picture of Christ. But, I my message wasn’t biblical! If we can’t say “follow me as I follow Christ,” we have to ask ourselves if we are really in a place spiritually where we are capable of leading young people.
Again, David, thanks for sharing your thoughts and for being part of the ym360 community. We’re here for you! Don’t be a stranger . . .
Absolutely. I am recommending this to others. Through this ministry, I have connected with one of your contributors to come out for a consultation.
That’s awesome, David! So glad we could play a role in serving you.
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