Youth Ministry Survey
Two times in the last month I had someone infer that they believed that most youth guys and their pulpit guys did not get along and that most youth guys hate their jobs. I really didn’t think so and to believe it would disappoint me greatly. So, using SurveryMonkey I did a totally anonymous survey earlier this week of youth minsters to find out. It is not huge but it does include 112 respondents, all but one are youth ministers. There were ten questions. I want to share some of the results with you.
30% have been in youth work for less than 5 years. So 70% have been involved in this work for longer. 27% for 10-20 years.
70.3% consider their shepherds highly committed to youth ministry, while only 1 of the 112 believed the elders saw youth ministry with suspicion. That’s pretty great.
59.5% are highly committed to youth ministry and plan on doing it the rest of their lives. That is actually an amazing statistic. Twenty years ago I imagine in our brotherhood less than 10% of those in youth ministry were in it for the long haul. Only 3 of the total responders want to leave youth ministry now. So I’d say to one of the comments that it is not true that most are miserable and want out.
Now of the meaty stat: 73.2% of those who completed the survey responded: I have a good relationship with my minister - I consider him a trusted friend. While only 4 replied that their mutual relationship is dysfunctional.
There were two questions that called for comments that I think many of our readers will appreciate just seeing and maybe harvesting some of the ideas.
We asked: “What could be done to improve the relationship between you and the pulpit minister?” I took out the numerous ones that basically said the relationship is good and those that are essentially duplicates I only included one time. I also “cleaned” the responses so no one could figure out who said what (and I don’t know unless they put a name in the response themselves. Like a couple who mentioned their city or congregation name):
Don't see how it could improve. Maybe if our families vacation together?...which could happen someday. GREAT relationship. We have an incredibly great relationship.
spend more time together outside of the office, getting to know each other better away from the church building.
More time on the golf course
Compassion and understanding.
More intentional cooperation in ministry.
Communication
staff meetings.
more time together out of office & in prayer
Not much. We speak daily. We officially "meet" once a week. We pray together. We eat together. We share fun stuff and serious stuff.
He is pretty overbearing sometimes, micro manages....although I am older /w more experiance. (dj note: yes the word “experience” was misspelled, so, naturally I had to leave it that way :) as that seemed ironic).
mentoring time together.
I get frustrated because I think after his __+ years at the pulpit, he has no passion, vision, etc. There are no rhyme or reason to his sermons. He rushes through staff devotionals and prayers. The most improvement would be made if he moved on. But I think he needs to be a better listener and more humble in his opinions.
Im not sure what he could do, but it would be nice to be seen as an equal in the sight of the elders.
Inclusion in planning of events like summer series and special days. Often feel like I don't get to be a part of anything in church expect the youth group.
Possibly go on more visiting trips together and maybe participating in more hands on benevolence in the community.
A closer relationship triangle with the eldership.
Less micromanagement and more understanding of the amount of hours put in and the stress it brings to my family.
Better understanding of generational differences.
Not much. He is a former YM so I feel that he is able to relate and allows me to grow in my ministry. We don't always share the same viewpoints but can usually discuss our differences without me feeling pressured or pushed.
If we could see eye to eye on more things. We have a few differences in our key beliefs, therefore making it hard to discuss certain things and deeper issues.
Pray together weekly has helped our relationship, but we will then fall out of habit and drift. We have also read the same book and reported monthly to each other to drink coffee and review our likes and dislikes of it.
I guess we both could put in a little extra effort to building our relationship. The truth is I think that he is the one who should be the initiator since he has been at our church longer than me and he is older. He sort of does his own thing and considers a piece of advice every now and then "mentoring." I would like fewer snippets of advice and more of a real relationship. I hope I remember this when I am in his position.
Share the workload. It seems if there is a project for the church that I am placed with the task of completing most of the workload. Also, he is very negative at times and that is very frustrating to me.
Get people to quit comparing.
Communicate on a regular basis; jointly plan events/programs
If he would trust that I know a little about what I am doing. Plus if he would try to quit doing my job.
Not a lot. We speak daily (usually more than once), confer with each other about plans, biblical issues, etc. I'm at his house and he's at mine quit frequently. Our wives are great friends and there is a high amount of trust with each other.
He really is like a second dad to me. I love him.
simply getting to know each other better away from the work of ministry. Personal Bible Study together.
I just hope to learn as much as possible from him. Seriously, I love the guy.
More personal time spent together (eating together, etc.) I would also like him to be more involved with the youth, but he often feels disconnected or uninterested.
We are BFF. Nothing. (dj note: I just thought that one was too sweet to leave out :)).
A better understanding of what youth ministry is about, its challenges, struggles, and signs of success.
Not much where I am at right now. ____ and I have a great working relationship. He treats me as an equal, respects the work I do, constantly speaks well of the Youth ministry from the pulpit, and is always available. We have a great working relationship as I try to motivate the teens to get to know him, spend time picking his brain as he is a wise man, and ask for his input on ideas for Youth Ministry and how they might affect that church. He is a true man of God.
Not with my relationship with the preacher I work with, but somethings I have noticed...1. A lot of preachers call the youth minister "My youth minister". That conveys an attitude of superiority rather than co-worker-ship. 2. I also think preachers who speak positively of the youth minister from the pulpit every now and then helps. 3. The youth minister needs to have a respect for what the preacher does. Just because everyone tells him he is a great preacher when he preaches 10 times a year does not reflect that the preachers work is easy or the youth minister is better at it than the preacher. 4. I think the youth minister needs to help by presenting himself in a respectable way. Not just dress, but that he hakes what he does serious enough to be respectful.
Sometimes his "pace" is slower than I'd like. He has a lot of the same goals, but thinks it is better to make a process of everything and take it slow. It feels like we are "too afraid" of what people are going to say or how they will react at times.
Actual sit-down, "how to" time. We do a great job brainstorming together, talking about families, etc. But we rarely have the time for him to walk me through helpful advice (how to handle certain situations/topics, etc.).
The other survey point that we might learn some things from was “The one thing my congregation could do to help me feel appreciated would be...” Most of these could be done relatively simply. Don’t ask them what can be done - just do something that shows you love and appreciate them. In another unscientific survey I did over a year ago I was shocked to learn how little most, even longer tenured youth ministers make. It is not surprising many leave early - they feel they can’t stay there and fulfill 1 Timothy 5:8. Remember I’m just the messenger. I just left these as there were - other than cleaning any personal names or location names off:
They already do it. Um...maybe a giant bonus check? I mean...$5000 would make me feel appreciated!! Besides that, it's already happening.
Offer opinions on things for the future... not things that are over and done with.
Show more interst in my ministry. I am constantly struggling to recruit volunteers.
Not just encourage the ministry, but be actively engaged in it.
Show up.
My congregation does a great job making me feel appreciated. If I could say one that that would encourage me more in my ministry it would be more consistency in attendance from families.
Help when it is needed a little more and we need Bible class teachers - more of them!
Higher salary
Recognize the accomplishment in the ministry more frequently.
notice what i do
More consistent in cost-of-living raises
Just continue to look for ways to love & care for my family.
join in the work more
Be willing to sit down and talk "vision" with me.
Say thanks more
Raise
Christmas Bonus
I am blessed. They already do so much to pour encouragement and support into my ministry and my family.
Nothing. I feel totally appreciated. Would love for them to grow in their passion for raising their children in the faith more than anything else.
I feel completely appreciated and loved. I am blessed beyond belief. I just wish I was closer to blood-family
stop by and take me out to lunch. stop by and pray with me. I want to feel like a member of the family, not so dispensable.
To express their appreciation
Be more active in youth program.
provide insurance for me
My congregation does a great job at this. I can't think of anything else they could do.
I'm not in a position where I feel unappreciated. I work with a very strong group of people where the youth are the main mission of the church.
I would like for the parents to be more involved.
indepently work to promote the youth ministry. By that I mean looking at the youth calendar/bulletin and announcing the events, pulpit minister and elders talking about events in front of the congregation, mentoring youth, etc. If they would take the initiative and promote the youth ministry without me scripting it for them I would feel appreciated.
two one things. 1. Have a clearer communication of expectations and 2. ASK or TELL me to take some non-vacation time off sometimes.
Add benefits to salary
Better understanding of hours it takes to do job and less micromanagement.
volunteer
Be more involved.
Overall I feel very appreciated. There are a few people (elders included) who treat me like a child who doesn't really know how things work and so being treated like an adult by them would be awesome. Otherwise perhaps provided benefits or a raise is the one thing my congregation could do to help me feel appreciated.
Communicate it to me in simple ways
Be invested in each other while working as a team on our behalf.
The congregation fully investing in the youth and family ministry. The elders are fully invested. The youth deacon is invested. The preaching minister is fully supportive. But several older members do not fully invest. Would be nice.
Bigger youth emphasis
Attend more!!! :)
Understand that it is a ministry and not a job!
Participate in more events when needed.
treat me as if youth ministry is not just a neccesary evil, but as a ministry just like a family ministry in the church.
Show more interest in my wife
They do a fantastic job already, but I'd say get more connected to the program and the work of the Church in general.
Understand that I am hired to devote my life to the youth. I may not make every church event planned but know that I must take time to rear my own family.
I feel very appreciated by my congregation. The best thing they do to encourage me is to simply tell me in a way that I know is genuine.
Be more vocally supportive.
not criticize every small thing.
Write occasional notes of appreciation.
Members verbally stand up for me when others say something negative.
For parents to join in with the same passion for the souls of our young people that I have. To see them support this ministry with an encouragement for their families to be there. I would also appreciate being encouraged to take time to grow and to develop as a professional . To have those relationships that are concerned about my spiritual health too.
For parents to join in with the same passion for the souls of our young people that I have. To see them support this ministry with an encouragement for their families to be there. I would also appreciate being encouraged to take time to grow and to develop as a professional . To have those relationships that are concerned about my spiritual health too.
Respect
Free Vacation!!!! Lol. Umm I feel fairly appreciated usually, but the thing i always want to see more of is people getting what we are doing so that it changes their lives. I have it about as good as i ever have. There was a reason i came to ______ at my age with kids and there is a reason i am in no hurry to leave. I could nitpick but things are good
Keep doing what they're doing.
To get involved in the ministry of youth instead of sitting back and saying, " dad gum teenagers.
The one thing my congregation could do to help me feel appreciated would be to help out. They appreciate me and the work I do. I even feel appreciated. However, they expect me to do all of the work and continue to do it for just a pat on the back.
I don't seek appreciation, I seek to implant strong commitment and leadership into the parents so that they most of the positive spiritual encouragement comes from them and not me
Travel with us on trips more.
Be understanding and patient!
just the little things help. I receive cards often and lately people have given me places to stay on vacation and such. Those things make me feel appreciated.
Come to me when they have ideas or questions about the youth ministry here and stop going to the preacher.
Show as much interest and dedication in their kids youth ministry as I put into it. Too many put ball practice and every other thing that comes up ahead of the ministry.
I feel appreciated. Happy and Blessed to be where I am :)
They do a very good job at this and I have nothing to add
Nothing. We have a great support system at our current work.
Stand up for me when I take a stance against ungodly media amongst our teens.
Thank me every now and then and realize that the plans I make aren't simply done without thought or prayer.
They already do a great job.
Constant word of encouragement from Elders.
Tell me they appreciate me. Let me gave opportunities to be in front of whole church more often and not sequestered to the youth group.
Keep up with the calendar and pay attention to the at least one of the many methods I use to spread information about the youth group.
They're great. I have no complaints.
Communicate with me better. Let me know what went good or if something could be sharpened. I always want someone to come and talk with me and work on things together.
Volunteer and help out more
Get more involved and volunteer when we need help. Not make us have to BEG for help!
Nothing. I feel that I am appreciated by the congregation for the most part, just not the elders and a couple of deacons.
Volunteer to teach!!!! I am in children's ministry and that is my biggest challenge - finding enough teachers for our large population of children.
Say thank you more
Two things: 1) Respect my time. When I am working 50-80 hours a week and they still expect me to do more it makes me feel like they do no appreciate the effort I am putting into things. 2) And I know this is picky but... Treat me like (and call me) a youth MINISTER. Not a youth director or "the guy who works with our young people." I put a great deal of pride in the fact that our youth program is not just a way to keep out teens busy. My focus is making disciples. It is a ministry. I went on a cruise and after meeting the cruise director I began to understand why people use the phrase youth "director" to describe some youth ministers. The cruise director's job was to make sure we had a good time, and that describes many youth ministers. We don't introduce our pulpit minister "the guy who talks to us on Sundays" but about half the time I am introduced as "the guy who works with our young people." I know this is a small thing, but I feel like it is the perception of some of our people. And it is a perception I want to change.
To stop treating my position as a secondary position.
give a sabbatical every once and a while
They just did it... They got behind my family during the hardest time in our lives. Couldn't ask for more!
Bring there kids to stuff and quit making excuses!!!!
This is a hard one...they do a good job of making me feel appreciated...only thing I can think of is maybe a little more money....
They do make me feel appreciated, very often. It's wonderful. However, I, like all other ministers, wish people would come directly to me with problems instead of marching to an Elder or Deacon who knows nothing of the problem. But I suppose that's a problem everywhere.
Nothing. I feel very appreciated by the congregation as a whole (if not always by the shepherds or pulpit minister).
More parental involvement in ministry.
Stop complaining
At this time, I don't really know how to answer that question because I am made to feel very appreciated. From the older members, to the parents, even to the teens, they are constantly expressing appreciation.
Have all members fully invested within youth program. Young and old alike.
I have a great congregation that is very supportive of my work. However, there is a need felt by several members to be "spoon-fed" what their role is, rather than seeking to find a place to serve. More proactivity from the congregation would help me feel appreciated
to encourage me when i make mistakes instead of telling me how I must do better or else....Thats never a good thing to hear from anyone.
To not criticize the little details I might forget from time to time but be more relaxed with the little things.
Raise my salary.
Communicate to the Elders the things they like and appreciate about the youth minister, not just complaints.
To fully recognize the impact youth ministry has had and the high rate of growth both numerically and spiritually. I believe that if We integrate more of this style of ministry (being in people's lives, socially relevant, etc.) the church will grow in the way God intended.
To get more involved. Volunteer for youth events.
Plan/pay for vacation (nothing extravagant). They tell us it's important to take one somewhere away from here every year, but it can be difficult to justify the cost sometimes.
__ Two closing notes:
1. The survey is still up in case you are a youth worker who did not take it: http://www.surveymonkey.com/
2. Special thanks to Scott Bond, JR (who I'm blessed to work with here at Spring Meadows) and to Joey Sparks (who I'm blessed to work with on the Exposure board) for giving a free digital copy of their ebook to all who completed the survey.