An Uncool Calling to Youth Ministry

An Uncool Calling to Youth Ministry?  This thought began as I read the Instagram post from Skillet frontman John Copper, called “Make Pastors Uncool Again,” a while ago.  In it, he addresses the continual trend of cool and hip pastors that acts more like rockstars than pastors…

“..promotes himself, builds his brand, and entertains people..”  

This continues to be true for so many pastors in general, but this is especially true for those of us in youth ministry (pastor, director, minister…).  There is and has been a continual idea for as long as I can remember (27 years plus) in doing youth ministry that a youth pastor has to be “cool” and almost a “rockstar”.   It has become the stereotype of a young, hip person leading the youth.  In recent years have even gone to two different conferences where speakers/trainers have actually talked about only hiring or recruiting volunteers that were “cool” looking and acting.    There really is this “pied piper” mentality in youth ministry but also in the church in general when it comes to youth ministry leadership, this is a danger!

Similar to John Copper’s post I have seen and been part of many discussions about this danger of the “cool factor” in ministry and youth ministry.   Because of the previous younger generation now moving into adulthood and leadership, we are going to see a continual problem and failure of pastors that have based their ministry more on trendy sneakers, celebrity mindset, and acting like rockstars?  I continue to think there is a problem because of the basic lack of understanding between potential and calling… talents and gifts?

Reading through the first chapter of I Corinthians recently, I came to the end of the chapter and was struck by Paul’s words about “calling,” with all of this in mind.  Looking at the final verses of the chapter, verses 26 to 31, consider with me your “uncool calling to youth ministry”? 

God’s Calling or World’s Coolness?

²⁶ Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were powerful; not many were of noble birth.

• Wisdom/Knowledge?  God’s calling is not about wisdom and knowledge by human standards.  Your calling to youth ministry should not be based on the cool factor of how “deep” you act or sound.
• Power/Influence?  God is not calling you to be a powerful, influencer like the world thinks about it.  Your influence and power should come from God not from you trending on social media.  God should be more than a brand you are selling or that is “selling you.”
• Celebrity/Connection?  God’s calling doesn’t come from a desire to be a “noble” celebrity connected to the right people.  Calling doesn’t even come from your family, it is a personal calling in your life.  The world works the family name and the connections.  Calling is only about one name and one connection.

God’s Choices or World’s Coolness? 

²⁷ But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; ²⁸ God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are,

• Foolish?  God chooses you to do something that many people in the world think is foolish, hang out with young people for a “career”.  You do not have to be ashamed of your “uncool” job, while people ask you when you are going to go get a “real’ job/ministry because it is not a job is it a calling.
• Weak?  The world is all about being big and strong.  Look at my big strong business.  Let me show off the big numbers I have coming out to my ministry.  Let me show you how confident and cool I am as I post a carefully edited and angled picture on my social media of myself, my spouse, my family, and my ministry.
• Low and Dispised?  If you are called to follow God in youth ministry, even in your own church there might be moments that you, your students, and even your ministry are going to be considered “less than” other positions on staff and ministry in the church.  Remember, our calling to youth ministry is going to influence the future, “bringing the things that are not to bring the things that are”. 

Boasting Christ or Boasting Your Own Coolness?

²⁹ so that no human being  might boast in the presence of God. ³⁰ And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, ³¹ so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

The uncool calling to youth ministry is NOT about being able to boast and brag on yourself; it is about boasting about the Righteousness, Sanctification, and Redemption of Christ to your students, families, church, and the world!  Coolness is about showing off yourself, your style, and your success.  Calling is about trying to show Christ, His words, and how He defines everything.  Looking over what Paul had to say versus the world’s idea of cool doesn’t seem to match up.

If you are good-looking, you are fearful and wonderful!.  If you have a great sense of style, what a blessing you can afford it!  If your ministry is attracting students and growing, praise God people are hearing the gospel.  But, if all of these “cool” things are your only targets, you are missing the point, and you might be missing out on what God has called you to in ministry?