2nd Opinion: Longevity: Key to student ministry

Posted: 1/19/07

2nd Opinion:
Longevity: Key to student ministry

By Jeff Dooley

I was talking with Matt, a youth minister in Tennessee, asking him how he was doing in his first years of ministry. He said he was doing great and loving ministry. Matt and I began to reminisce. It seemed like just yesterday when he was one of my seventh-grade students in our youth group. We had a good time laughing about some of the teenage-boy pranks he and his buddies had pulled on some of our summer camp trips—some I am just finding out about many years later. I’m glad I did not know then what I know now.

I was standing on Waikiki Beach in Hawaii, conducting a beautiful wedding at sunset for Amanda, another former student who now is a recreation minister in Virginia. I was thinking to myself, “Where does the time go?”

How many student pastors get the opportunity to be part of the life of a student from middle school to marriage? I have come to realize these situations are rare in student ministry. I read the average tenure of a student pastor is 18 to 24 months. The frequently asked question to every student pastor is, “When are you going to pastor your own church?” I think people have finally stopped asking that question of me.

My prayer is that student pastors come to realize the power of longevity in ministry.

I often recall the many faces of students who have come through our student ministry year after year. I often wonder what some of them are doing and the paths they have chosen in life. The majority of my former students (like Matt and Amanda) remain a big part of my life. I am one person who has been blessed to reap the rewards of longevity in student ministry.

If I could pass along anything from my years in student ministry, I would say patience is the key to longevity. Lock-ins, bus trips, time away from family, retreats and summer camps at times can bring frustration to any student pastor. However, when we are patient, we are demonstrating to students and parents alike that we are in ministry for the long haul.

Students need to know that we are here for them—year after year!

In a world that is ever changing, our students need to know their church and their relationship to God are constant. So many times, we get frustrated in ministry and want to throw in the towel or “the student.” But when God controls these difficult and challenging times, he will carry the minister through to the end. I am one to confess that the blessings in student ministry far exceed a little frustration.

God has used longevity in student ministry to bless my family as well. I have had the privilege of having all three of my daughters in our student ministry. I am speaking for myself in saying it truly has been a blessing. I have had many opportunities other fathers don’t have to “bond” and “hang out” with my daughters. Also, it works out great for them to have an “instant ATM” on all of our student ministry trips. After all, isn’t that what dads are for? I have not heard too much complaining from my daughters. I am so thankful to God for the special times and experiences that have brought us closer through student ministry.

Again, I attribute all of this to longevity in student ministry.

In today’s “grass is always greener on the other side” world, I hope student pastors and volunteers understand the power of longevity in student ministry. Don’t get me wrong: God does call people out to other places and ministries in his time. I know for certain God uses many people on short-term assignments.

But my prayer is for more pastors, students and their families to reap the blessings of longevity in student ministry for generations.

Jeff Dooley is associate minister to students at First Baptist Church in Denton.