Youth Ministry?!? What are you thinking?!?
I can remember when I first became interested in Youth Ministry thinking to myself, “There’s no way I’ll be able to do this and pay my bills.” I’d, now, be willing to bet that if I were hanging out with a large number of Youth Ministers a good number of them would say they felt the same way. Youth Minister’s pay scales are right up there with public school teachers. Or is it?
Without talking numbers I can tell you that I feel as though my pay, in numbers, matters not compared to the benefits I receive because of the job I have. Let me take it a step further. As a medical doctor, let’s say a surgeon, you get paid very well, in numbers. However, if you really love your job and you take the time to see what it is you are REALLY doing, you’d see that you’re making someone’s life possible to be truly lived. Regardless of if the surgery that you’re performing is major or minor, you’re making that person’s life possible. Let’s take a minute to let that soak in…
Now, for myself I can equate that feeling to when I see a student get it for the first time. As I see them progress throughout their spiritual life and mature more and more each time we meet I get a raise in pay. Not literally, but spiritually, I get a raise. Now, that being said, I believe it is important to note that not all Youth ministers get paid poorly. In fact I would say that my pay is very fair. But, above and beyond that, the benefits are incredible.
I love music and I get to play music because of my job. I love video games and I get to play video games because of my job. I love seeing new faces walk into a church and because of my job, I get to see that happen. I love leading people to Christ and because of my job I have so many opportunties to do that. I could go on and on about the things I love about my job. The reaility is this:
If you ask me, “Why would anyone want to be a youth minister?” My answer would be simple. “The benefits are great!”
My assumption here is that others that are in ministries, maybe not even youth ministry, but others feel the same way. Maybe some don’t. Comment below if you feel the need to express what you love or dislike about ministry, paid or volunteer I’d love to hear from you.
