It is no secret that in typical mainline church there is a large percentage of people over 50 and a very small percentage of those between 20 and 30.
It is true that people in the 20-30 age group can make great children and youth leaders, they might even have an inkling about the clothes and music young people listen too.
Although we might think the 20-30s are cool and in touch with young people ask any 22 year old children and youth leader and they will wish that they had the wisdom and maturity of someone over 50.
In my experience once you’re more than 5 years older than a young person it is impossible to convince them that you’re cool in any way what so ever. And, even if they do think you are cool there is no way they are going to say Chris is cool Chris goes to church therefore church is cool.
Ministry happens through relationship. The best children and youth leaders are without exception those who have a genuine interest in and care for those whom they are ministering to.
I once ran a youth group that had a small handful of leaders it included Joan who was a very daggy 50 something who was always intently interested in what the kids were doing and how they were going and, Alesha a girl who was in her late teens and so cool that it was hard to believe she was a Xn. However, she was always keener to catch up and talk to the other leaders a couple who were her good friends.
Pretty early on in the life of the group they both had to leave. Who do you think the kids always ask about?
In fact 6 months later they were still asking about Joan even though she had been with the group for a few months
It is true that people in the 20-30 age group can make great children and youth leaders, they might even have an inkling about the clothes and music young people listen too.
Although we might think the 20-30s are cool and in touch with young people ask any 22 year old children and youth leader and they will wish that they had the wisdom and maturity of someone over 50.
In my experience once you’re more than 5 years older than a young person it is impossible to convince them that you’re cool in any way what so ever. And, even if they do think you are cool there is no way they are going to say Chris is cool Chris goes to church therefore church is cool.
Ministry happens through relationship. The best children and youth leaders are without exception those who have a genuine interest in and care for those whom they are ministering to.
I once ran a youth group that had a small handful of leaders it included Joan who was a very daggy 50 something who was always intently interested in what the kids were doing and how they were going and, Alesha a girl who was in her late teens and so cool that it was hard to believe she was a Xn. However, she was always keener to catch up and talk to the other leaders a couple who were her good friends.
Pretty early on in the life of the group they both had to leave. Who do you think the kids always ask about?
In fact 6 months later they were still asking about Joan even though she had been with the group for a few months
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