2 year burnout rate

I went to a youth pastor’s meeting today. I used to attend these networking meetings regularly last year, as I craved the fellowship of others in like ministries. This year I’ve had a consistent scheduling conflict, so I have been unable to attend… until today.

I knew less than ¼ of the ministers there. The location has changed, the leadership has changed, and unfamiliar faces seemed to be the ones in the know. All this wasn’t that disconcerting until familiar names started popping up: he left the ministry, he’s moved cities, he’s now a senior pastor – no more energy for youth, he said. Nobody host next month: it seems whoever’s hosting youth pastor’s network ends up quitting! And the jokes went on. Someone finally asked, “Who has been at their ministries for two years or more?” A pathetically small number of us raise our hands.

“The average span of a youth worker is 2 years. Who’s leaving us this year?”, someone else asked. There’s an embarrassed silence. Among comrades who are “in the trenches” no one wants to admit their pulling out – even if it means they’re following God’s calling elsewhere. Finally, someone speaks up. And then another. And then another. Someone sighs, “Stats say we’ll see a 50% turnover of youth pastors every year, but I sure hate to see it.” We blessed those moving on, but it suddenly made sense: I only knew a handful of youth pastors there, not because the others couldn’t make it, but because they weren’t youth pastors anymore. Of the handful I still knew from last year, only 2 plan to be around next year. Suddenly I feel blessed by ICYA. Chris, my predecessor, was here 10 years. Kent, while no longer involved in the youth aspect of the work, has been here 20. Lori & I are both in our 3rd consecutive year on staff (precluded by 1 year prior for me on staff, 2 years volunteering for her), Christal finally left on maternity leave after 5 years on staff, Kevin is on his 6th year, and the three “newbies” are not here replacing some burnt out staff member, they’re here to accommodate the new growth. Thank you, God, for your provision! I guess I’ll never know exactly why the “2 year average” isn’t the norm at ICYA, but there are a few things I know are making a difference for me, and those I am thankful for:
- supporters who consistently pray for me
- many, many people who encourage me, and the few who do criticize me, usually are people who know what they are talking about and couch their words with grace and love.
- Realistic expectations of my time and energy; unlike many youth pastors, I’m not expected to be “working” 6 twelve- hour days on a weekly basis.
- Working together with committed team members instead of alone
- Having a life outside of “church” or “work”

So pray for youth ministers in your city: it’s not an easy job, and while some are being called elsewhere after 2 years, others are just giving up because it’s too difficult, too many unrealistic expectations, too much criticism for their family to bear, too isolated, too… hard. And thank you for bing a part of making the youth ministry I’m involved in, a joy.