“Indispensable youth worker” sounds like an oxymoron. None of us are truly indispensable. But there are many things you can do to make your position and ministry more secure. These ideas are principles, not promises. (And one more provison: What makes you indispensable in one church might get you fired in another.)
1. Push the envelope until it bends.
Your value will shoot up if you do things that help your church grow and stretch in ways the people appreciate. Timing is everything. Establish yourself before you change too much. You’re ready to introduce significant change when parents, volunteers, and teenagers respect you for who you are, not because of your position. In other words, make sure you have “change in your pocket” before you change too much.
2. Process paper promptly.
Youth workers are stereotyped as disorganized and unreliable. You can quickly crush that myth. If your church requires balance sheets, event evaluations, and other paperwork, make sure you fill out the right forms and turn them in on time (a good rule of thumb is that all your paperwork is in within one week after an event).
3. Handle money well.
If you can, avoid handling money in your ministry by assigning that task to a capable volunteer. Money mismanagement is one of the top reasons youth leaders fall. If you can’t train someone to handle the money, then set your own standards for taking care of it. Mike Work, Diane Elliot, and Ginny Olson, authors of Youth Ministry Management Tools (Youth Specialties), recommend using a “checks only” policy for all your events. If you do this, money is easier to track and blunts the possibility that others will wonder how you’re handling the cash.
4. Dot your i’s and cross your t’s.
Don’t fight the system. Honor the systems that are in place. If you want to change the system and help improve it, you have to work within it first.
5. Be above reproach.
In everything, take the high road. Don’t give people a reason to think anything less than the best of your character. When it comes down to it, character is all you have in ministry, so guard it carefully. Not many of us should presume to be teachers in the church because we’ll be judged by a higher standard, now and later (James 3:1).
6. Pay attention to doctrine.
Read more books about theology than about leadership, Christian living, or youth ministry. Theology is the foundation of all you do in ministry and in life. If you learn to teach theology clearly and relevantly, you’ll be valued as a rare commodity.
7. Pay attention to results.
Determine your standard of success, based on a combination of your calling and the church’s mission, then excel according to those standards. Set goals and meet them. Life change in students is the strongest indicator that you’re indispensable. When parents and others see a real change in their young people, they’ll deeply value what you do. Work hard, but pray harder.
8. Value your church team, and contribute to its success.
A youth minister who’s a team player knows where youth ministry fits in the bigger picture of the church’s ministry. An “island mentality” won’t cut it—your ministry must be integrated into the church’s broader mission. Remain loyal, both in front of everyone and behind closed doors, toward the church and its leadership.
9. Contribute beyond youth ministry, but don’t lose your focus on youth ministry.
Strive to be a “lifer” in youth ministry, but become valuable beyond youth ministry. If your church will allow you, help out in other areas of the church when you can (preaching, adult small groups, a guest speaker for other church groups, and so on). A strong church makes for a stronger youth ministry.
10. Love Jesus.
People who love Jesus with all their heart are attractive—others who love Jesus want to keep them around.
