A friend of mine recently asked me, “What are the key qualities I would look for in a youth pastor?”…
Well, it’d be lame for me to answer as a youth pastor by making a list that is not also one that I’m trying to embody myself. So, here’s both what I’d be looking and who I’m trying to be:
A TEAM PLAYER:
by default, the youth pastor is almost never calling the shots for the whole church. Even if they have some key influence you’re going to need someone who can lead and build a team as a champion of a mission that is not solely their own.
VISION:
I’d want to bring in someone who has a dream that is something close to “inviting a generation to understand, own, and live out a life changing faith in Jesus.” It doesn’t have to be those words, but I’d be looking for someone who has a passion to build a ministry that champions something close to that.
PASSION FOR GOD AND STUDENTS:
I think we need youth pastors that actually love students and not just the job. They have to want to disciple and not just entertain or gather students.
AUTHENTIC:
We need pastors who know their own stuff stinks and have grace for others when they fail. We don’t need anymore plastic pastors with a painted on smile and a Jesus sticker on their car. We need real faith lived out in the real world where some days go good and some days do not.