Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Yellum Notnef · 02-21-2003, 08:47 AM

What exactly is a "youth minister" and what does it do?

Is it a youth who ministers?
Is it an adult who ministers to youths?

I find the title somewhat disturbing although I don`t really know what it is.

Steve K · 02-21-2003, 08:49 AM

In my experience, a youth minister is like a secondary pastor (an adult) who primarily does events for the youth. Youth group type things (weekly meetings of the youth) seem particularly common.

- Steve

Yellum Notnef · 02-21-2003, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Steve K
In my experience, a youth minister is like a secondary pastor (an adult) who primarily does events for the youth. Youth group type things (weekly meetings of the youth) seem particularly common.

- Steve

So a youth minister is a like a Protestant version of a Catholic nun who teaches sunday school?

Rhea · 02-21-2003, 08:59 AM

Except they organize dances, too.

More like spiritual Scout leader, I think.

spurly · 02-21-2003, 09:03 AM

As a youth minister, maybe I can answer this question. In the Christian Churches/Churches of Christ a youth minister is someone who comes alongside parents to help them out with the spiritual development of their children.

We are in charge of spiritual education of young people at the church. This takes place in camps, conferences, classes, and special events.

I hope this helps.

Kevin

Yellum Notnef · 02-21-2003, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rhea
Except they organize dances, too.

More like spiritual Scout leader, I think.

Nuns organize dances too,but they don`t do much scouting.

You try going camping wearing that nun costume!

Yellum Notnef · 02-21-2003, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by spurly
As a youth minister, maybe I can answer this question. In the Christian Churches/Churches of Christ a youth minister is someone who comes alongside parents to help them out with the spiritual development of their children.

We are in charge of spiritual education of young people at the church. This takes place in camps, conferences, classes, and special events.

I hope this helps.

Kevin

It does help. Thanks.

So a youth ministers is responsible for brainwashing the kids.

I knew there had to be a reason I found the title so disturbing.

Llyricist · 02-21-2003, 09:32 AM

You think that's disturbing? Have you ever been to a Christening where they gather the parents, "god"-parents and friends and take the oath to all help instill the idea of god into the child with the express purpose of embedding the idea before the child is old enough to think for him/herself?

It trully appalled me.

I wish I could find the text of that oath somewhere, my mother (not a Christian either, though she has joined the Unitarians just for the social aspect, and the fact they don't have any prescribed beliefs) told me it was the apostle's creed, but I looked that up and that wasn't it.

On edit: changed test to text

Undercurrent · 02-21-2003, 12:10 PM

I always thought that youth ministers were like the "token black guy" -- Intended to prove to the kids that church isn't just for old people, but really just throws the fact that all of the other church people are old fogeys into harsh relief.

Shake · 02-21-2003, 12:11 PM

Also, it's been my experience that a youth minister is typically not all that much older than the youth they minister to. Usually mid-20s to possibly early 30s. Younger than the youths' parents, but old enough to have more experience of the world, and to still be somewhat in touch with the youth culture. Also sometimes, these people will serve the already confirmed teens as opposed to the younger children who are covered by Sunday School teachers.

02-21-2003, 08:47 AM	#1
Yellum Notnef Banned Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Gone Posts: 4,676	What is a youth minister What exactly is a "youth minister" and what does it do? Is it a youth who ministers? Is it an adult who ministers to youths? I find the title somewhat disturbing although I don`t really know what it is.

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02-21-2003, 08:49 AM	#2
Steve K Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Corvallis, OR USA Posts: 64	In my experience, a youth minister is like a secondary pastor (an adult) who primarily does events for the youth. Youth group type things (weekly meetings of the youth) seem particularly common. - Steve

02-21-2003, 08:59 AM	#4
Rhea Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Recluse Posts: 9,040	Except they organize dances, too. More like spiritual Scout leader, I think.

02-21-2003, 09:03 AM	#5
spurly Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 710	As a youth minister, maybe I can answer this question. In the Christian Churches/Churches of Christ a youth minister is someone who comes alongside parents to help them out with the spiritual development of their children. We are in charge of spiritual education of young people at the church. This takes place in camps, conferences, classes, and special events. I hope this helps. Kevin

02-21-2003, 09:32 AM	#8
Llyricist Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Fort Lauderale, FL Posts: 5,390	You think that's disturbing? Have you ever been to a Christening where they gather the parents, "god"-parents and friends and take the oath to all help instill the idea of god into the child with the express purpose of embedding the idea before the child is old enough to think for him/herself? It trully appalled me. I wish I could find the text of that oath somewhere, my mother (not a Christian either, though she has joined the Unitarians just for the social aspect, and the fact they don't have any prescribed beliefs) told me it was the apostle's creed, but I looked that up and that wasn't it. On edit: changed test to text

02-21-2003, 12:10 PM	#9
Undercurrent Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Santa Fe, NM Posts: 2,362	I always thought that youth ministers were like the "token black guy" -- Intended to prove to the kids that church isn't just for old people, but really just throws the fact that all of the other church people are old fogeys into harsh relief.

02-21-2003, 12:11 PM	#10
Shake Contributor Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Folding@Home in upstate NY Posts: 14,394	Also, it's been my experience that a youth minister is typically not all that much older than the youth they minister to. Usually mid-20s to possibly early 30s. Younger than the youths' parents, but old enough to have more experience of the world, and to still be somewhat in touch with the youth culture. Also sometimes, these people will serve the already confirmed teens as opposed to the younger children who are covered by Sunday School teachers.

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