I agree with Bart. There is often a huge gap in experience and education. Having been in youth ministry for nearly five years, I am well aware that I will never get paid what the senior pastor of a church gets paid, nor do I believe I ever should. At least not in the position I currently hold. I was not hired to oversee a church of 350+ people. I was hired to oversee a ministry of 50 or so youth. The jobs require a different amount of experience and a different level of education.
The trouble arises, however, with the expectations and requirements of the the position of “youth director/pastor.” Many churches set the bar lower for this position. For some it is out of necessity. They simply cannot afford to hire someone with more education or experience because they know that person would likely expect a higher wage than they have budgeted for. Thus, they hire the early-20s, high energy, freshly graduated from their bachelors degree person to fill the position.
Yet, times are changing. God is calling many people to youth ministry, not just for a time, but for life. I am one such person. And as I seek to further my education and I gain experience year after year, I would hope that I would be paid accordingly.
YES!! I completely agree. I think we need to focus on the accountability or connection that support staff have with the denomination and possibly a salary grid will come out of that conversation. I have also never been encouraged to become a commissioned pastor. There are many other denominations where there is a requirement to receive credentialing within a year of being hired and most are required to have some Bible College training. Yet, in the CRC, I didn't know I could become a commissioned pastor as a youth director and I'm still thoroughly confused by the whole process. Personally, I would love to see all support staff become commissioned.
Posted in: How Much Should We Pay Our Youth Directors/Pastors?
I agree with Bart. There is often a huge gap in experience and education. Having been in youth ministry for nearly five years, I am well aware that I will never get paid what the senior pastor of a church gets paid, nor do I believe I ever should. At least not in the position I currently hold. I was not hired to oversee a church of 350+ people. I was hired to oversee a ministry of 50 or so youth. The jobs require a different amount of experience and a different level of education.
The trouble arises, however, with the expectations and requirements of the the position of “youth director/pastor.” Many churches set the bar lower for this position. For some it is out of necessity. They simply cannot afford to hire someone with more education or experience because they know that person would likely expect a higher wage than they have budgeted for. Thus, they hire the early-20s, high energy, freshly graduated from their bachelors degree person to fill the position.
Yet, times are changing. God is calling many people to youth ministry, not just for a time, but for life. I am one such person. And as I seek to further my education and I gain experience year after year, I would hope that I would be paid accordingly.
Posted in: How Much Should We Pay Our Youth Directors/Pastors?
YES!! I completely agree. I think we need to focus on the accountability or connection that support staff have with the denomination and possibly a salary grid will come out of that conversation. I have also never been encouraged to become a commissioned pastor. There are many other denominations where there is a requirement to receive credentialing within a year of being hired and most are required to have some Bible College training. Yet, in the CRC, I didn't know I could become a commissioned pastor as a youth director and I'm still thoroughly confused by the whole process. Personally, I would love to see all support staff become commissioned.