Jesus The Youth Pastor: A Poem

For those of you that don’t know, I enjoy writing. Not only do I enjoy writing for this platform, but I also write poetry. I’ve fancied myself a poet since about senior year of High School. Just typing this out makes me feel old!

Regardless, I’ve been reflecting on the state of Youth Ministry in America and can’t help but think that maybe we are missing the mark a little bit. Don’t get me wrong, I think there many faithful Youth Pastors doing good work.

However, I think these Youth Pastors, unless they are serving under a faithful minister, will find themselves jobless as early as 18 months and as late as 3 years into their tenure. Youth Minsitry has historically been a job with low security for a reason.

American Youth Ministry

Of course you have the Youth Pastors who have poor expectations for ministry, no desire to partner with parents, and a lack of training in teaching and in dividing the scriptures. They don’t seek to fulfill their duties as a minister of the Gospel. You have Youth pastors who avoid acountability and do bad things as well. These guys and gals shouldn’t be a ministry and should not hold the office.

Yet, often, the Youth Pastors who can draw crowds, who are fun and obnoxious, and who bring the most charisma seem to be the ones who last. The ones who lack conviction and who go back and forth with the culture, unless under good leadership, go on forever. Numbers are the fruit that the American Church at large goes for.

I do not want to discount the many… and I mean MANY… faithful Youth Pastors who are drawing crowds, but are doing so through faithful means. I am simply pointing out that it is rare to see Kingdom fruit and number fruit in the same Youth ministry. Remember, in the Scriptures, whenever Jesus sees a crowd, he gets curious and cautious, not excited.

Let’s Shake It Up: Here’s a Poem

While reflecting on this, I couldn’t help but think: “What If Jesus were a Youth Pastor in the American Church? What would His Youth group look like? How long would He last?”

Here’s the thing. Poetry is incredibly subjective by nature. The poem I am going to share may not reflect entire thoughts and stances on these things that are brought up. Yet, I do hope that any Youth Pastor who reads it is able to reflect and think. Take time to reflect on God’s Word, and think about what Jesus would do, if He were a Youth Pastor.

If Jesus Were A Youth Pastor in America

If Jesus were a Youth Pastor, what would He do?

Would He swoon over the numbers of His congregation?

See the fruit of his labor as countless as the stars?

Incubate His children in safe spaces and stimulating environments?

Would He do everything He can to bring students to His room?

Would He feature giveaway Xboxes and playstations? Gizmos and Doo-dads? Gift Cards and Distractions?

Would He fill the space with games, cards, and tables, and magic, and plate balancing?

Would He water down His message to be palatable for all and nourishing to none?

Would he fall back on His convictions because they challenge Him?

Would He stay away from questions of His students?

Would He seek to provide an emoitionally charged experience for His students instead of an appreciation for love of Truth?

Would He manipulate their emotions, and have them follow their hearts, be their authentic selves, follow their own truth, and tell them that a small still voice in their heads was God?

Would Jesus seek to refrain from teaching repentance; Would He refrain from challenging the culture, even if students leave?

Would His group be the most fun and dopamine-inducing in the city?

Would His group be known for its ability to stack pancakes on one’s forehead? Or in how busy it makes its students?
Would He be known for how many trips he brings his students on? Or how many aisle-walks He has?

If Jesus were a Youth Pastor, what would He do?

Is He cool enough? Is He easy-going enough? Does He roll over enough?

Would He back down when faced by wolves, who would own servants of the body? Would they charge Him with division for seeking the purity of His Church?

Would He turn a blind eye to the city and its needs; Better to bring students to a fun outing instead?

Would He prioritize bringing students in the door instead of faithfully discipling the one’s there?

Would He prioritize relationships over truth?
Would He sacrifice His family on the altar of ministry?
Would they treat Him as if He were clueless?
Would He be blamed for those that walk away? For parents that prioritize fun over faith?

Would He be known for disorder in His group? Dysfunctionality? Discarding the least of these? Deprioritizing the important things? Or would He walk away because He didn’t have Grit?

Would He be tough enough in the eyes of those who sacrifice conviction for the sake of job security?

No.

If Jesus were a Youth Pastor today, He would be fired in a week.