Several years ago, I had the opportunity to serve under a seasoned pastor. During one of our Monday meetings, he shared something with me that I still carry to this day. He said, “The ministry can get really lonely, so don’t put yourself on an island.” I still reflect on that often.
You see, this was my first full-time ministry. I had been bivocational for a number of years, but now I felt like I was in the big leagues of ministry. Pastor Al’s advice led me to reach out to youth ministers in my new community, and that is where I learned the power of youth ministry networking.
During those early days, networking started locally, and First Priority was the main avenue that brought so many of us together. Through that network, I met guys who were going through challenges like me. I found advice when I needed it, and most of all, I had a group that was praying for me.
Today, I feel as though I could not have made it this long in ministry if it had not been for those networking opportunities. I am currently in a small community where I am the only full-time youth pastor. With that said, I make it my mission to keep all the youth pastors in my county — whether volunteer or bivocational — connected.
In Alabama, youth pastors also have access to networks on a statewide level. We have First Priority, based out of Birmingham; the STS Network, a ministry of the Scott Dawson Evangelistic Association; and the Alabama Baptist Student Leaders group. These organizations exist to help connect youth pastors across the state.
Each week, Baptist youth pastors have the opportunity to connect with others all over Alabama through a Thursday morning Zoom meeting called Unwind. In that space, guys share how their Wednesday night services went and receive advice on how to navigate the challenges of youth ministry.
Networking is beneficial because it provides a group to pray for you, support you and guide you. In addition, youth pastors who network together have a better chance of staying in ministry longer. I am a testament to that.
If you are new to youth ministry or new to a community, start by connecting with the Alabama Baptist Student Leaders group. Josh Meadows, the State Board of Missions’ student ministry strategist, can help get you connected to GroupMe. From there, you can begin by reading conversations and — over time — open up as needs arise.
Second, connect with youth pastors in your community. Go have lunch or breakfast with them. Join in community events that bring youth pastors and youth groups together. Your students go
to school with students from other churches, so they participate in events like See You at the Pole and Speak Tour.
Lastly, when you take your group to winter conferences and summer camps, make it a point to attend the youth pastor gatherings. There, you will find community and additional opportunities to network.
I hope you will take the opportunity to implement these practices, because youth pastors who don’t work well with others are often the ones who need support the most. Take the time to reach out, because ministry is meant to be done in community.
TJ Phelps serves as student pastor for Centreville Baptist Church, Centreville, Alabama.
