You Hired a Youth Worker

Congratulations!

After reviewing a ton of resumes, a gaggle of interviews, countless hours of discussion, prayer and anticipation, you have a new youth worker/director/pastor for your church.

In case you did not realize this, the real work has just begun.  That is, if you want there to be a long tenure, lasting impact and the agreed upon goals to be reached.

I have said before that expectations that hurt are those that are unspoken, unclear and unrealistic.

In other words, what does success look like in your setting, down the road?

If this is not clearly defined, you are setting your youth worker/director/pastor up for failure and probably pain for your students.

Values determine what success is in your church context.

Values differ among individuals so the corporate values have to be known and proclaimed so everyone knows what success means in your church.

Focus on the the process more that the product.

If you are true to your values and follow a process that is agreed upon, the results will happen.  Perhaps not on your desired timetable, but they will happen.

What does success look like in a year?  2 years? 5 years?

When grumblings happen, and they will (both real and perceived), what will you point to as your guidelines for success or faithfulness?

Doug Fields shares the story of when he was hired by Rick Warren. Doug told Rick that it would take at least five years for the youth ministry to begin looking like he wanted it to.

Doug is a veteran youth worker, trainer of thousands of youth workers, author of youth ministry books in multiple languages, and recognized practitioner. So, if you would, at least give your new youth worker (that you prayed for and invited to be part of your church family) four years to see the changes you want God to bring about.

Or is that sort of patience, an unfair expectation?