When "Growing Up" Means Moving On
I was 22 and within the first two weeks of my ministry, a well-meaning father of one of the teenagers asked me a question that you may have heard as well...
"What are you going to do when you grow up?"
I told him I wanted to be a youth pastor. He smiled at me and didn't say anything else, but I knew what he was thinking: "Sure kid, we'll see."
Two years later, I sat in a monthly board meeting and was blindsided. My salary was being reduced by 10%, and I was encouraged to go part-time... and "also get a job at McDonald's."
I sat there in shock, unsure how to respond. The chairman compared me to his son, a church planter, who worked another job, then made it clear his son "was a real pastor."
One of the more awkward moments of my life.
The Question That Doesn't Go Away
Fast forward to turning 30, a reflective milestone. My dad, my spiritual hero and pastor, asked me how long I would stay in youth ministry... and when I would "become a pastor."
You know: get my own church.
That was the '80s and early '90s. I'd like to think things have changed. But I still wonder:
- What does the Church really think about long-term youth ministry?
- Is there an unspoken "expiration date"?
- Are we valued as seasoned leaders, or replaced by a younger, cheaper player?
At times, it feels a little like we're an NFL running back, where five years in the league has the front office thinking we're too old for the job.
And yes... that analogy might be closer than we'd like.
So Let's Make It Personal
Let's shift the question away from them to us:
Are we in this for the long haul?
Staying in youth ministry has never been a one-time decision for me. It's a decision I've had to revisit again and again, sometimes with confidence, sometimes with weakness.
There have been moments when:
- the weight felt too heavy
- the fruit felt too slow
- the criticism felt too sharp
- the loneliness felt too real
And yet, every time I've stood at that crossroads, something deeper has pulled me back-not obligation, but calling.
When I've asked, "Why would I stay?" the answer has remained:
Because You called me, and the fire still burns.
A Word on Longevity (and Sustainability)
There are plenty of practical reasons to stay, and they matter.
Recently, Walt Mueller interviewed Jody Livingston on the Youth Culture Matters podcast about longevity in youth ministry. Every NextGen leader, not just youth pastors, should listen.
But my deeper desire isn't just longevity.
It's sustainability.
Longevity without health leads to burnout.
Sustainability leads to impact that lasts.
My "Wittenberg Door": Why I Stay
At the end of the day, I stay in student ministry because:
Students need the Gospel.
The vast majority still don't know Jesus. I want to be part of the harvest.
The Church is called to disciple every generation.
(Ephesians 4 includes adolescents.)
God hasn't released me from this calling.
He placed it in my heart at 19, and it remains.
He is still writing stories of grace.
In students I know, and those I haven't met yet.
This is fertile, holy ground.
I want to be where God is moving.
Still in the Game
Even now, I have the privilege of speaking truth to students and leading a small group of 11th-12th grade young men.
There is no greater joy.
If you have the opportunity to invest in students week after week, don't take it lightly.
There's no better place to be than student ministry.
Where to Go from Here?
If this stirred something in you, don't let it stay theoretical:
1. Revisit Your Calling
- Set aside 30 minutes this week
- Write out when and how God first called you
- Ask: Is the fire still there? What's fueling it, or draining it?
2. Name Your Current Season Honestly
- Where are you feeling tension, fatigue, doubt, frustration?
- What needs attention for sustainability?
3. Build for Longevity, Not Just Survival
- Identify one rhythm to strengthen (Sabbath, mentoring, team support)
- Take one step this week to reinforce it
4. Have the Conversation
- If you feel undervalued, talk with your leadership
- Help shape a culture that honors long-term youth ministry
5. Invest in the Next Leader
- Longevity isn't just about staying, it's about multiplying
- Who are you raising up?
Don't just ask, "How long will I last?"
Ask, "How can I build a ministry, and a life, that lasts well?"
If you're committed to thriving, not just surviving, in youth ministry, stay connected with us as we continue exploring sustainability, calling, and long-term impact.
