Seasoned and Serving
I'm a 66-year-old youth pastor. My hair and beard have been gray for decades. I don't play the guitar anymore, I have never been on TikTok, and I've never touched Fortnite. I'm not running tackle football with teens-or anyone else-and late nights aren't my thing. I'm on Medicare, and yes, I have an AARP card.
And yet, I can say without hesitation: I can't imagine doing anything else but working with emerging generations in a local church, for as long as God allows.
We might get too old to play tackle football, but we are never too old to minister to teens.
Why Older Youth Workers Still Matter
I get it. Sometimes my games are corny, my illustrations outdated, and I'm certainly not leading all-nighters or the latest worship trends. But for many teens-especially those from hurting or broken homes-having someone older and steady can be a lifeline. They see me as a "grandpa" figure. My wife and I provide the stability, encouragement, and care that some of these students may not experience elsewhere.
So maybe this is why older youth workers are uniquely positioned to serve today's young people-Gen Z and Generation Alpha. Our experience, wisdom, and perspective allow us to refocus our ministries, renew our calling, and let the younger generation inspire us even as we guide them.
Here are some ways older youth workers can stay effective and impactful.
1. Reaffirm Your Calling: Your Calling Doesn't Expire
God's call to youth ministry isn't age-dependent. If you feel God has placed you in this work, don't let age define your ability to serve. Stay grounded in why you began and what continues to drive you.
2. Stay Culturally Aware: Connecting Across Generations
You may not have a TikTok account, but it's worth paying attention to the culture of today's students. Ask questions. Observe trends. Learn their language. More importantly, spend time with them. Being present is the ultimate way to understand their world.
3. Lean Into Your Strengths: Play to Your God-Given Gifts
You don't need to be the game master or the worship band leader. What older youth workers often excel at is relationship-building, storytelling, and teaching God's Word with credibility. Share the lessons you've learned over the years and model faithfulness, character, and resilience.
4. Build a Strong Team: Don't Do It Alone
Recruit younger adults or volunteers with energy and creativity to complement your strengths. A diverse team can better connect with the variety of students in your ministry. Collaboration allows you to continue serving effectively without overextending yourself.
5. Prioritize Relationships: Invest in Students, Parents, and Volunteers
Invest deeply in students, their parents, and other church members. Your experience gives you credibility and a natural authority to mentor not only the youth but also the adults who guide them. Relationships are your ministry currency-spend it generously.
Gray Hair, Big Impact: Guiding the Next Generation
I am so thankful that I still have the privilege of working in youth ministry. Our group doesn't rely on flashy games or trending videos. We focus on what matters most: loving the Lord, loving kids, and guiding students to grow in faith.
Age may limit some activities, but it can never limit the impact of a committed, caring adult in the life of a student.
As a the 6'6' college athlete in the early 1970s, basketball was Mel Walker's passion, but God ushered him to a new and greater passion when Mel discovered what it was like to introduce a young person to Jesus. For the rest of his life, Mel would be an advocate for the next generation, investing his life in youth ministry for more than 45 years. This article was originally published on the NNYM blog on October 8, 2020. We are honored to continue Mel's legacy in youth ministry.