Statement of Values

In order to understand the heart and emphasis of each of the values which are a part of this project, a brief explanation with scriptural support has been added under each listed value statement. Each value statement has been crafted to reflect a specific youth ministry commitment, but is not intended to determine the ministry approach utilized to fulfill that commitment. As stated before, this project is not about conformity of methodology, but the unity of shared values.

After reading through the values, you can sign up and become a part of Excellence In Youth Ministry.

LOVE

  1. Youth pastors should exhibit a personal love for Christ as evidenced by vital prayer lives, a consistent personal devotion, and the faithful exercise of other spiritual disciplines.
    EXPLANATION: A call to ministry is a call to Christ. It is the shepherd’s devotion and dedication to Christ that is most critical to a minister’s success, and that which is most sorely needed by their flock. (Mark 12:29-30, Ephesians 5:1-2 )
  2. Youth pastors should demonstrate a genuine love for the Church (Body of Christ) by their willingness to work within the constraints of the local body in which they serve, by their sincere involvement in the body as a whole, and through a visible and verbal loyalty and support.
    EXPLANATION: The local church is God’s instrument for reaching, building up, and commissioning the people of God. It is the equipping center for the advancement of the Kingdom. The local church deserves the minister’s encouragement and support. (Galatians 6:10, 1 Corinthians 1:10; Colossians 3:14)
  3. Youth pastors should display a sincere love for all students, leaders and the parents of students through personal availability, intentional interaction, and by positively engaging these groups in the mission and vision of the ministry.
    EXPLANATION: Youth ministry consists of more than a love for students, but also for leaders and parents. Loving them means building genuine relationships and involving them in the ministry. (1 Corinthians 13:13; 1 Thessalonians 2:8; Proverbs 15:22)
  4. Youth pastors should have an unwavering love for youth ministry. God may someday call you out of youth ministry, but until He does, love what you do, and not what you hope to do in the future.
    EXPLANATION: Many people transition out of youth ministry at some point, but it is always wrong to quit before you quit. (Psalm 71:5, 17; Psalm 103:5; Ecclesiastes 12:1)
  5. Youth pastors should have a compelling love for the lost as evidenced by the practice of personal evangelism and relentless grace.
    EXPLANATION: The most loving thing a person can do is share the Gospel with another person. Likewise, exercising uncommon grace in a person’s life until and through conversion is an example of genuine love. (Mark 12:31; Matthew 9:36; John 3:16-17; Luke 19:10; Romans 10:1-2)

INVESTMENT

  1. Youth pastors should display a vital commitment to spiritual investment in the lives of students, parents and families.
    EXPLANATION: A minister is called to disciple and equip those entrusted to their care. Investment in this sense means to become involved in their life in such a way as to affect life change and spiritual growth. (2 Timothy 2:2; Colossians 1:28-29; 1 Thessalonians 2:9-12)
  2. Youth pastors should be committed to seeking personal, spiritual, and professional growth in their own lives via the investment of others.
    EXPLANATION: A leader is a learner. As a leader you should seek to continually grow in areas that will help you in all aspects of life and ministry. (Proverbs 27:17; Psalm 119)
  3. Youth pastors should demonstrate a commitment to investing in volunteers through recruitment, personal involvement, and training opportunities.
    EXPLANATION: A ministry grows only as the leadership base grows. Building and equipping a group of youth ministry workers is essential to working with excellence in an expanding group. (Philippians 2:19-21; 2 Timothy 4:2)
  4. Youth pastors should reflect a commitment to invest in the community and local schools through supportive participation in activities, servant leadership, and general availability.
    EXPLANATION: Working with students means being involved where they work, play, and live. Investment in the school and community reflects a shared interest in the lives of students and families. (1 Thessalonians 5:11; Romans 14:18-19)
  5. Youth pastors should exhibit a commitment to the development of student leaders.
    EXPLANATION: Providing opportunities for responsible student leadership is a key part of discipling students. Students need to know they have the responsibility to serve and invest in their peers. (Ephesians 4:11-13; Ezekiel 2:7)

PROCLAMATION

  1. Youth pastors should communicate value for the Word of God by being sound in doctrine, open to discussion, and by means of thorough expository teaching/preaching.
    EXPLANATION: One of the most critical duties of the minister is to teach the scriptures with clarity and accuracy. As students navigate adolescence they need the truth, surety, and foundation the Word of God provides.(2 Timothy 4:2; 1 Timothy 4:6; Titus 1:9)
  2. Youth pastors should equip students in how to properly approach the scripture.
    EXPLANATION: The Word of God can be intimidating to teenagers. Students need to be taught how to properly read, study, and apply the scriptures. (Psalm 119:33-34; 2 Timothy 2:14-16, 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21)
  3. Youth pastors must emphasize scripture by utilizing the Word consistently and encouraging Bible use.
    EXPLANATION: Youth pastors should make sure to consistently use the Bible during teaching times, make copies of the Bible available to students who lack them, and ensure the teaching environment is conducive to Bible use. (Psalm 119:68; Joshua 1:8; Jeremiah 15:16)
  4. Youth pastors should bring clarity regarding the Gospel’s redemptive work and purpose by shared testimonies, biblical teaching, and regular opportunities for spiritual response.
    EXPLANATION: Youth ministers need to highlight the work of the Gospel by consistently using the testimonies of believers to share the life change found in Christ. Also, leaders ought not to neglect times of public invitation, whereby students have the opportunity to respond to God’s work in their hearts and lives. (John 3:16-17; 1 Corinthians 2:1-5; Acts 2:41; 1 Thessalonians 2:13)
  5. Youth pastors should value obedience to Christ and the Great Commission through personal evangelism and evangelism training.
    EXPLANATION: Evangelism accelerates discipleship. Every student should be equipped to share their faith and given regular opportunities for evangelism. (Matthew 28:19-20; James 1:22; Acts 4:19-20; Acts 8:35)

Proficiency

  1. Youth pastors should be valuable workers, maintaining high levels of personal integrity and maturity. They must prioritize their personal (if single) or family (if married) schedule and maintain healthy relationships at home.
    EXPLANATION: Trust is built through acts of integrity and maturity. Youth pastors prove valuable and trustworthy as they maintain healthy relationships at home and with church members. (Job 8:20; Psalm 15:1-2; Psalm 25:21, 1 Timothy 3:5; Hebrews 6:1a)
  2. Youth pastors should be hard workers, demonstrated by their availability for tasks, general presence, professional accountability, and adherence to consistent personal schedules.
    EXPLANATION: Do not avoid tasks because they are difficult or not directly your responsibility, but prove to be a person who is up to the work of the church. Keep office hours, communicate your plans and schedule, and prove to be accountable for your job description and other voluntary commitments you make. (Proverbs 10:4-5; Colossians 3:23-24; 2 Thessalonians 3:7-9; 2 Timothy 2:6)
  3. Youth pastors should be competent workers, exhibited by effective planning and scheduling; clear, consistent communication; strong personal relationship skills; staunch fiscal responsibility; mature decision making; and through continued educational and professional development.
    EXPLANATION: It is not only necessary for you to work hard, but to work with competency and efficiency. Virtually no other characteristic is as valued as competency, especially when working with students. This value communicates how seriously you take your responsibilities as a minister of Gospel. (Psalm 78:72; Proverbs 6:6-11; Ecclesiastes 2:21)
  4. Youth pastors should be team players, by way of their willingness to work within the church chain of command, their commitment to engage in the life of the church as a whole, and through a proper understanding of the role of the youth ministry (that it is a part of the ministry of the church and not its own entity).
    EXPLANATION: Youth pastors should not become silos, but rather cooperating members of the overall ministry of the church. Youth ministry plays a critical role in the lives of students during important developmental years. Others have ministered before you, and others will minister after you. Know your role and do it with excellence! (Psalms 133:1; Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; Ephesians 4:1-4)

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