Tips for Recruiting Youth Staff
So far in this series we have looked at the makeup of a good youth leader and where in our churches we might find some of these people. But just because we know who they are doesn’t mean they’re on the team yet. So how do we convince them to join? Most youth pastors aren’t that great at being salesmen, so here’s a few do’s and don’ts.
Do Be Organized – Don’t Shoot from the Hip
The kind of people you want to attract to your youth ministry will not be impressed by you running up to them after morning service in a panic and asking them to be a leader for your group which kicks off…. TONIGHT! You ought to spend some time writing out qualifications of a youth leader and a job description. Be organized with your process. Recruit as early as possible. Hold an informational meeting where all interested leaders can attend (no commitment required) and you share the heartbeat and vision for the ministry. Perhaps have a few testimonies of students who have been changed through the ministry of your church.
Do Be Upfront – Don’t Hide the Gory Details
You’re not doing yourself any favors to paint youth ministry like it’s all rosy. You know it isn’t. Go ahead and let people know youth ministry isn’t for everyone. You have to commit, you have to stick in there and you will be held accountable. Be sure to remind them the payoff at the end is definitely worth it (seeing students mature in their relationship with Christ) but it’s hard work all the way
Do Use Your Existing Team – Don’t Be a Dictator
When recruiting new people, one of their biggest concerns might be who they get to work with. You want to help that TEAM atmosphere flourish so get your current team to mix it up a bit with the prospects (have them over for dinner or something). This also communicates that you care for the team. You’re not a one man band. Everyone has responsibility and a key role. They aren’t just chaperones, they’re leaders.
Do Be Clear – Don’t be Vague and Fuzzy
Decide what you need to have happen and then recruit people for those positions. Do you need an Activities coordinator? A Bible Study Coordinator? An Evangelism Coordinator? A Small Group Leader? Figure it out, and then recruit for the position. You may have a few people that you just know would be great leaders but don’t know exactly where to stick them yet. That’s ok too, but know ahead of time what needs to be done and then ask them how they see themselves fitting into that landscape.
I guess to sum it up, the basic principle is that you spend some time strategizing and then move forward. That makes you the kind of leader that people want to follow. And that is the bottom line. For people to join the team, you have to be the kind of leader they want to follow and the other leaders have to be the kind of people they want to work with. The ideas here aren’t the Gospel, but they’ve worked well for me? Got any to add?
