by Guest Shane Thacker

All jokes aside: this meme is both hilarious and sad at the same time.

I feel like I’m in a position to speak on this issue, as I’m at a church that is what I would consider to be very healthy, supportive, encouraging, and so much more. I’ve been on staff for coming up on seven years now and firmly believe I’ll be here for the long haul unless the Lord specifically directs otherwise.

But I’ve also been in situations where this was not the case and have heard stories from many leaders that, frankly, left me broken-hearted for them.

There’s a reason that youth ministry is the “revolving door” of the church; and yet, it’s crucial that we have church leaders committed long term when it comes to developing relationships with the youth of the church and continuing to lead them to Jesus. This isn’t a 100-yard dash but a marathon, and if we really want to leave a “Kingdom footprint” behind, we need to think long term for ministry.

Most would understandably be uncomfortable to say these things below out loud, so I’m going to say it on behalf of those who are struggling as youth ministers/youth leaders to keep doing what they’re doing.

Here are some common fronts (certainly not all issues) that I see as the greatest causes of this “revolving door” dilemma:

1) Way too many expectations on leading programs and events.

It’s simply not feasible to keep adding events/programs/etc., and yet in our culture, more is demanded. The church can be duped into thinking that this is what grows a healthy youth ministry; the reality is, it pulls more time away from families, and more time from leaders being with their own. It’s fine to expect some programs and events, but like many things in life, doing this needs to be moderated or you’ll quickly burn out your leaders.

2) Not meeting the needs of the youth leaders.

I’m not talking just monetary needs, but spiritual and emotional needs as well. Yes, you should pay a worker a fair wage and that should be regularly reviewed, but also . . . CHECK IN on your youth leaders. Ask how they’re doing: not just with their role but how they are in their own personal life! Ask how you can pray for them. Ask how you can support the work that they’re doing. Take them out to lunch or dinner one day and just let them talk. Yes, they are leaders. They are also still a human being with needs like everyone else.

3) Too little in terms of intergenerational connections.

This piggybacks on the last point, but this is referred to by many as the “Silo Church” model: it’s like we have little mini churches (i.e. cliques) that are commonly based on age. This is unscriptural, unhealthy, and if this is your church, you’ll be unable to grow.

We are ONE body of believers. The more we do life together, the more we’ll continue to thrive as one. Yes, there should be separate classes tailored to different age groups and needs, but the more you intentionally place yourself around other generations, the more you’ll find yourself connecting needs. The older helping the younger and the younger helping the older.

As a final note: Let me just add a huge THANK YOU to my beloved church, Inola Christian Church. I am forever grateful for the love and kindness that I’ve been blessed to receive from you!

I can’t encourage churches enough to look through this blog and see if there’s an area you can change, grow, and thrive. I can’t encourage you enough to partner together and lead the next generation.

Because I’ve been on the other side of the fence, once seeing what doesn’t work (and now seeing what DOES work!), I have strived to provide church leaders with the tools they need to help churches stay on the right foundation for life in ministry.

Church leaders: if you have questions about helping youth leaders to lead a healthy and thriving youth ministry, feel free to reach out anytime.

The gates of Hell will not prevail against the Church!

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Shane Thacker is the Lead Pastor at Inola Christian Church in Oklahoma. Shane has been in ministry for over almost 15 years. He has a passion to help provide resources for helping struggling churches to cling to the Vine and bear fruit. 

One of the latest works being put out in April 2024 is a series titled “The Well”. This is a 4-part series on the Woman at the Well” seen in John 4. 

This sermon series will be available on YouTube and there is a free downloadable booklet that allows for continued study on this story on your own, or in a class or small group. Churches can use resources like these completely free. Check out “The Well” here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLj_JJmF8Q4Eqi9Q_RtkGBaFFQLy7R0_BI&si=xFzuYjxOIsCqFHry

“The Well” will also be a Bible Reading Plan on YouVersion coming mid-April 2024! 

For more resources like these, visit www.shanethacker.org.