Hello All!
My husband has just been hired as the youth pastor at a small but growing church. They have no formal curriculum in place, but we have some ideas on what to teach them. I guess this line is just for encouragement and support. We are both new to this type of ministry, but are very passionate.

Any ideas or advice would be greatly appreciated!!

Youthwife,

The best advice I could give to you is TAKE IT SLOW. Don't try to winn them over by being thier friend. I am at my second church as Youth Pastor (I'm in the Navy) and both churches I had to start from nothing or little of nothing. Evaluate what is their, who is willing to help, what is in place and most of all ask questions. I have a few things that I can send your husband that can help. I created a manual for for leaders, and one for the parents. Both manual tells my vision and mission statement along with goals and othere things. I evaulate the youth ministry in 3 sections. 1st The Youth... see what they expect and want. find out theri hurts and needs. 2nd The Parents... see what they are looking for and let them know you can only do so much in a few hrs a week. THEY HAVE TO BE INVOVLED. 3rd Leaders/ volunteers. Have a vision and goals to meet. This take time and manily involves the conversations you have with the youth, parents and most of all pastor. Remember you should pattern the youth ministry after your Pastor's Heart not your own. He or she has trusted you all with that part of the BIG Vision. Please call if you ever need anything 912-882-5534 or email me at pgyp@tds.net. I have Youth Church on Mondays @ 7. call about 9 if on Mondays. I have gone through what you all are going through twice and I've been in this postion at the 2nd church for 3 months now

God Bless

Jason


PS Sorry for spelling and gramma have to go pick up my sons

I just wonder where you are now and how has things changed!