The 24-Month Youth Pastors Dilemma

Youth ministry is one of the most rewarding, challenging, and crucial roles in the Church today. You’re shaping the next generation of leaders, believers, and world-changers. But here’s a hard truth: many youth pastors don’t make it past the 18-24-month mark.

Why?

Because no one told them that leading a youth ministry isn’t just about planning events, teaching lessons, or running retreats, it’s about learning to lead people. And that starts with learning to lead volunteers. At LeadMinistry.com, we believe there are three foundational skills every youth leader must master early on:

1. Retain Volunteers

Retention is where most ministries struggle. High turnover often reflects a lack of care, clarity, or a sense of community. People stay when they’re valued, supported, and celebrated. Building a culture that retains volunteers takes time, but it’s absolutely worth it.

2. Train Volunteers

Once you’ve got them, you’ve got to equip them. Training doesn’t need to be complicated. It needs to be intentional. Volunteers thrive when they know what is expected of them, how to excel in their role, and how their contribution makes a meaningful difference.

3. Recruit Volunteers

You can’t do ministry alone. But many youth pastors feel like they have to. Why? Because no one showed them how to invite people into the mission. Recruiting isn’t about begging—it’s about casting vision and creating clear roles for people to step into. Oh, and the reason this is third is that your best recruiters are actually your current team.

Don’t Do Ministry Alone

One of the biggest factors in youth leaders leaving ministry too soon is that they didn’t have someone walking with them—someone to guide them, encourage them, and help them figure it all out. That’s where coaching makes a difference. As a Certified Lead Ministry Coach, I aim to support youth pastors and directors in navigating the first two years and beyond to help them thrive so together we can impact this generation and those coming in for Gods Kingdom. Whether you’re just starting out, feeling stuck, or ready to elevate your volunteer leadership, I’d love to connect with you and see if this might be a good fit.

You don’t have to go it alone—and you’re not supposed to. Let’s build something lasting—together.

Rob Quinn
Lead Ministry Coach and Family
robertleadvolunteer@gmail.com

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Robert has  been serving in preteen, youth, and family ministry for over 18 years. He is currently work as a Family Pastor, and learning firsthand that ministry was never meant to be done alone.

Over the years, he has written curriculum and blog articles for organizations like PreteenMin.net, Orange, and Deeply Rooted, and had the opportunity to speak at various ministry conferences. Currently a Certified Lead Ministry Coach with LeadMinistry.com, where they aim to resource leaders so they can “Get Organized,” “Lead with Confidence,” and “Avoid Burnout.”

He is married to  Jodi Quinn, his incredible wife and ministry partner who is also a Lead Ministry Coach, and together they’ve been serving the Church side by side for nearly two decades. Together, they love investing in leaders, building ministries that last, and for fun, riding our E-bikes all around Minnesota.