How to Become a Part-time Youth Minister
Many churches desire to have an active and engaging youth outreach ministry, appealing to teenagers. With the many distractions in today’s society, getting teenagers involved in church can be challenging and a good youth minister can be an important part of a dynamic youth program. Landing a job as a part-time youth minister involves the right education, the right background and a lot of creativity and energy.
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Instructions
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Attend a religion-focused university. When churches hire a staff member in a position of religious leadership, they usually require that person to have a degree based in the churches’ religious tradition. A degree in education, social work or ministry is ideal.
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Discuss your religious convictions during the interview. The church will want to hear a sincere statement of faith from you, expecting that you feel called to ministry to do God’s work and that it’s not simply another job.
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Share your knowledge of the larger world in the interview. Churches don’t necessarily want to hire someone who was home schooled and then attended a strictly religious university and has a sheltered view of life. Students live in the world with the issues that pop up in the world and a youth minister should be able to relate to their temptations and struggles.
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Have a spotless background. Anyone working with kids is subject to a background check. Because of the nature of the position of leader of children, even indiscretions you may consider minor -- such as public drunkenness or vandalism -- will raise flags. Any issues involving sexual impropriety will immediately halt any chance you have of getting the job.
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Work at church youth camps. Having a solid work history of dealing with young people will help your career. Few places give such exposure as summer youth camps, where young people and counselors interact very closely for long periods of time.
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Volunteer at and attend the church before applying for the job. Churches like to hire people they know and if you make the church your home prior to applying for a position there, it will ease the transition of you taking the job, especially if you’re already working with the youth.
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Demonstrate creative ideas for group activities and lessons. You may be asked to do a test run with the youth, so be ready to do something out-of-the-box that is engaging and fun.
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References
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