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Part 5: Support for those in ministry

This is the 5th and last post in a series about my personal story of becoming involvedin youth ministry and more. In order to best understand this post- read Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4 first.

Each and every day there are people working jobs that are not encouraged, bolstered or recognized for their good work. I understand this- I am a mother. I get it. I was taught by my father to give 110% of effort, work and enthusiasm to any job I do- no matter how big or how small- no matter whether my effort is recognized or not.
I am reminded that we are “to work as for the Lord and not for men.” [Colossians 3:23-24] And yet, I also know myself, I know that I am the most productive and push myself more when I get positive feedback from others. When others let me know that what I am doing matters/makes a difference/helps etc. it gives me the energy boost I need to continue on. This is true for all areas of my life, not just youth ministry. Burn-out runs high in ministry and I think the lack of support and encouragement is part of it (that and the many hours and low pay . . . . but that’s what I’m discussing). The national average for years in youth ministry is 3.5. Three and a half years- 42 months. Now, I know a few who have been in youth ministry for upwards and over 20 years and even more in the 10 year time frame. (My mentor has been in youth ministry for over 30 years.) I have had many opportunities to meet and discuss and learn from other youth workers, paid and volunteer, and everyone has experienced burn-out and lack of support- going hand-in-hand.
It’s obvious that I am partial to youth ministry. I write what I know about and live but I am also well aware of the fact that my story isn’t just mine- there are many others out there in different ministry positions, both paid and volunteer that feel the same way I do, that have come up against many of the same obstacles I have and I know there are even still others who have it much worse than me.
This started out as just a post that my job title had changed and ballooned from there. I’m pretty sure its all on my mind right now because October is Pastor/Clergy/Ministry Appreciation month. Am I upset because I don’t have a right to be recognized any more during this month? No. It’s on my mind because of the thoughtless words someone recently said to me that had to do with the title change and the appreciation month.
So what have I learned? First and foremost- I need to stop looking/seeking/hunting up support from others and look for it where I can always be sure to receive it- from the LORD. Jesus understands my needs better than anyone else ever could. He has called me to youth ministry and He supports me. I do not want to miss a blessing from the Lord because I’m busy looking for it from someone else.
2ndly- If I feel like this, there are others who do also. I have been both a volunteer and a paid youth worker. I volunteer in other ministries within my church that aren’t directly linked to youth ministry and so I know that our volunteers are the backbone of our ministries- and even more overlooked. So each week I send an encouraging card to someone in my church who is involved in a ministry. It has now spread to my family and we have made it a challenge to think of all the ways, big and small, that people minister within our church. A couple examples of the small things- the person who volunteers to fold bulletins and an older woman who always ALWAYS has a smile for me and my family (“She ministers to me with her smile,” my Maiden said.)
3rdly- I think on these verses:

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24
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Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58

 In every ministry- whether it’s raising and homeschooling my children, loving my husband or working with youth- it’s not in vain and I don’t work for man- I work for the LORD.

Side Note:
To everyone who works in ministry, whether it is volunteer or paid, whether it’s greeting others with a smile, preaching the Word or changing diapers in the nursery-  Thank you for your acts of service. Thank you for giving your heart in ministry to others. Please know that it does not go unnoticed. The Lord knows- He has placed you there afterall. You are ministering to and touching live for Him. You do not labor in vain. May the Lord continue to bless you and lift you up and give you the strength you need to stand firm and give yourself fully to the Lord’s work. You are appreciated.
Happy Ministry Appreciation Month!

Question

9:46 PM, 2007-Oct-10 .. Posted by Lynne

Amy,
Does your church have the financial ability to hire a youth pastor with a seminary degree? Can they afford a $40,000 per year salary when they can't even afford to pay for online classes for you?
I think it's great for your church to desire someone in the youth pastor position with a theological degree, but can they pay what is necessary to attract someone with that background?
No.
If you spent the money to get a seminary degree, are they willing to pay you a lot more? No.
Well, sometimes you need to be greatful for what you have.

To Lynne-

11:24 AM, 2007-Oct-11 .. Posted by YPAmy5

You make a good point. I've been "good enough" for 6 years.
The church cannot afford a full time youth pastor with degree and it is extremely hard to hire someone to work part-time as they would have to hold down a "day job" or 2nd full time job to make ends meet. And just because I am paid to work 20 hours does not mean that's all I work- it is hard to put a time limit on ministry work, if it needs to be done, you do it.
I don't want to share exactly what I make but let me just say- my net yearly income is under $9,000.
There are people on our church board who have made it very clear to others who have questioned that there is no way the church will ever find someone with a degree to work for that small amount. Approx. 85-90% of youth pastors are males and many are the major breadwinners in their families.
I want to interject that I have some incredible supporters at my church that agree with my pastor's first thought- hiring someone with a heart for youth ministry superceeds the degree. You can't buy a love for teens and that- when it comes right down to it- that care and compassion and willingness to spend so much time with today's youth- is more important than having seminary training.
Sometimes it is hard for me to "see the forest thru the trees" when the naysayers are right upfront. Mr. Steady does an incredible job of reminding me of the impact on young lives God has allowed me to make.
I keep an "affirmation file" here in my office. It is stuffed to overflowing with every encouraging card, note and letter I have ever received in my 6+years of youth ministry. When I am feeling particularly burned out, let down and to the point of giving up- I pull out this file and am reminded.
I am reminded- I make a difference.
"To the whole world you are just one person, but to one person you just might be the whole world."
By the by- how is the YP hunt going for your church?
I continue to pray.

Untitled Comment

1:43 PM, 2007-Oct-11 .. Posted by Lynne

Amy,
I think we know each other well enough by now to know that you try to be diplomatic and I am just blunt. Let's assume you are making $9K per year. At 20 hours per week (minimum), that comes out to $8.65 per hour. Where I live, 15 year old high school kids working at McDonald's or Rita's start at $8.75 per hour.
Your church is getting an adult with college education and an incredibly flexible schedule, and I am assuming they are paying you absolutely no benefits. This is really getting petty.
So, if I were in your shoes, I would just say that I don't want to hear any more @&!(** from anyone or they can find someone to replace me at the same wage and working conditions. If you go work at McDonald's, as an adult employee managing the teenagers, you will also qualify for benefits.
I think your church is getting a bargain,
Our church's search is continuing. Apparently there were two candidates that the church liked, but they both needed healthcare benefits, which apparently is not provided in this job. I know there was a very long time woman who was the YP and her husband worked/provided health benefits, so I imagine the job compensation just stayed that way over time. The last YP is married to a school teacher, and therefore he didn't need health benefits, either. So now our church is looking for a great YP with an incredibly flexible schedule who doesn't mind working every weekend and lots of evenings and doesn't need health care. At least our position pays around $40,000, more than double what you are making per hour. Still, it isn't going to be easy to find someone who meets all those requirements.