Most teenagers experienced a learning deficit during the COVID lockdown of 2020. Many educators believe they will never overcome that deficit. Similarly, could teenagers experience a spiritual deficit when their churches go for many months with no student pastor?
The current shortage of student pastors is real and shows no signs of going away. Consequently, searching for a new student pastor can last from a few months to more than a year. And yet, student ministry must continue in the absence of a student pastor.
Missing student pastors matter
Leadership vacancies always matter, but the issue in student ministry is even more intense. Teenagers are only in student ministry for about six years. That makes a year without a student pastor’s leadership loom large.
Many individuals positively impact the lives of teenagers, but a God-called student pastor can make a unique contribution. A year without someone in that role can contribute to a teenager’s having a crisis of faith, choosing other life priorities, losing a sense of community with the youth group, slipping into depression, and many other eventualities.
Similarly, a missing student pastor can impact parents. Wise student pastors are equipping parents to be spiritual leaders, and they come alongside parents and families in crisis. Leaving families without support for most of the year may lead to harm.
Churches need a plan
When a church loses its student pastor, wise senior pastors will fill that leadership void immediately. Their proactive stance will bring rewards whether their search for a new student pastor takes a few months or more than a year. The following plan might be effective in many churches.
“A cord of three strands is not easily broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:12b CSB). Similarly, three leaders who serve side by side during an interim period can see student ministry prosper. These three key leaders might be mature collegians, parents or senior adults. Even though their life situations may be diverse, they must be devoted disciples of King Jesus, committed to the Word, and genuinely love teenagers.
Together, the three can give direction to the church’s student ministry. They might be called the Student Ministry Coordination Team. Here is one way they can divide their responsibilities:
People leader
- Focuses on the teenagers and their parents
- Coordinates outreach and evangelism
- Connects new teenagers to the student group
- Connects teenagers to the entire church
- Protects teenagers from toxic people
- Connects teenagers and families in crisis with biblically sound professionals
Weekly ministry leader
- Enlists Bible teachers and disciplers
- Invests in Bible teachers and disciplers
- Coordinates open-group Bible study
- Coordinates weeknight worship/discipleship
- Creates prayer gatherings
Event leader
- Organizes events for teenagers, parents, and volunteers
- Organizes events that focus on evangelism, discipleship, missions, service and fellowship
- Organizes events that immerse teenagers in the life of the congregation
- Organizes and guides Lead Teams composed of several volunteers, parents, and students. Each team takes the lead in preparing for a major event or trip. (For a complete discussion about Lead Teams, see Youth Ministry That Lasts a Lifetime, www.seminaryhillpress.com.)
When they meet together
Some person or entity has to be the architect of the student ministry. Without a student pastor, the Student Ministry Coordination Team can serve as that architect. Together, they design and then shepherd the overall student ministry. Among other things, that means the team:
- Keeps the student ministry focused on mission/vision statements
- Keeps the calendar planned 12 months ahead
- Manages the student ministry budget
- Coordinates promotion and communications to students, parents and volunteers
All three leaders share ownership of six vital, cloud-based documents:
- Mission/vision statements, both church and student ministry
- Contact information for all students, parents and volunteers
- The 12-month student ministry calendar
- The student ministry budget
- Job descriptions
- Policies and procedures, including discipline guidelines and procedures to protect students from toxic persons
A temporary leadership structure does not have to mean just maintaining the status quo. Even between student pastors, a Spirit-infused student ministry can introduce teenagers to King Jesus, see them further transformed in His image, call them to complete the Great Commission, and prepare them to be a revival generation.
The next student pastor
The Student Ministry Coordination Team can help those searching for the next student pastor. Based on their experiences, they will have a clear idea about the specific strengths and abilities needed by the next student pastor.
Finding leaders functioning as described above can be a major benefit when a new student pastor finally arrives. A wise student pastor will consider how he can empower and guide what is already working—and his success will be greatly enhanced by such preparation between student pastors.
Richard Ross, Ph.D., is senior professor of student ministry at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth.
