“Things are happening but not at the pace I think they should.”
“My pastor is a great guy, but sometimes I feel that youth ministry is not even on his radar screen.”
“I receive a decent salary and the church is doing the best they can, but I’m really not satisfied.”
These are the types of thoughts that start creeping into a youth pastors mind about two years into serving at a church. If you are struggling with these thought patterns and are considering starting to look for a bigger and better opportunity somewhere else. I want to give you a great piece of advice…THE GRASS IS ALWAYS GREENER OVER THE SEPTIC TANK. From a distance the grass is plush. The grass is green. The grass is oh so thick. However, when you get right in the middle of it, that green, plush grass…stinks!
It is the same way in a lot of church situations. From a distance the money, the facility, and the staff looks really good. However, if it is not where God wants you to be, it is going to really stink!
Here are a few questions to ask yourself, when you are thinking of moving.
1. Why does the church have to be my only source of income?
2. Why are teenagers in other cities, that I do not know, more important to me than the students I have already built a relationship with?
3. If I want to be in a bigger and better church, why not make the church I’m in bigger and better?
4. Have I really done the absolute best I could possibly do where I am?
5. Why should God give me a promotion, if I have not proven myself faithful where I currently am?
6. Did God tell me to come here to this church and city?
7. Has God told me to leave?
8. If a few years ago, God told you to come here, and now he's saying for you to leave....why did God change his mind?
The average teenager will have at least four youth pastors during their teenage years. Four different times men will stand up and say “I love ya” and then say “I’m leaving”. Something seems wrong with this picture.
Here is the deal. Are things perfect where you are? Probably not.
Will things be perfect at another church? Probably not.
If that is the case, why not stay where God has called you?
Believe that God has placed you where you are.
Begin to study, pray and fast for the young people of your church and city.
I think both you and your students, will be glad you did.