working together to navigate youth ministry well through relationships—where every teenager matters…….

- by Mark Carlson

I find myself in a unique position. Though I believe I am in the exact place God wants me to be, I would not necessarily promote this position to just anybody. I’m currently serving as co-senior pastor, with youth ministry as one of my primary areas of responsibility. A year ago the Senior Pastor, at the church I serve, resigned. The board invited myself and the other associate pastor to consider stepping into the senior leadership role in a shared capacity. It was to be on a trial/temporary/interim basis, though we never really had a name for it. Having both served the congregation for several years as the youth and worship pastors, and having served together in an interim capacity once before, we were open to the invitation. The difference would be that previously there was an active search committee working on calling a senior pastor. This time, we were the possible next candidates for the role.

We took time to evaluate all the responsibilities we would need to share and divide between us. We prayerfully considered our gifts and passions and discerned with our leadership the best way to create our new roles. Most youth pastors inevitably in one season or another are asked “when are you going to get your own church?” or “when are you planning on becoming a ‘real’ pastor?” I always chuckled at these questions. As a youth pastor, I enjoyed my place in ministry and never really knew if and when I would make the shift to a different ministry role.

Now I find myself straddling the invisible fence between ministry as a youth pastor and senior pastor. It has been an affirming and encouraging process for me as I am stretched in my gift-set and understanding of my identity as a pastor. There are some days I operate in a sort of ministry schizophrenia as I bounce around the varying poles of my role – leading a staff meeting then lunch with a student, meet with the finance team before heading off to Middle School youth group. The balancing act isn’t an easy one, but it is one I feel called to do. It’s the best of both worlds for me. I don’t have to choose between working with students, which I still enjoy; and working in the realms of senior leadership where I get to preach, care, and lead the broader body in a pastoral partnership. It is a partnership that has been a powerful image to our congregation about what it means to partner with others on the journey of faith. It has caused a groundswell of support from the congregation who are stepping up in ministry to lead and support with us. Ministry can be a lonely place for many people. Serving in both a Senior and Youth Pastor capacity moves me to work with and, at times, depend on other people. Ministry decisions are never just about us and our agenda, but about discerning with others what God wants. I find that’s far better to do in my place straddling the fence.