What do you think of a student ministries pastor who is also the main preaching pastor for Sunday mornings? - MinistryQuestions.com | Ministry questions, answers, advice, and input from other ministry workers

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What do you think of a student ministries pastor who is also the main preaching pastor for Sunday mornings?

Our current full time senior pastor is leaving in September. We also have two part time pastors. They are myself, the student pastor, and an associate pastor who is over ministry development right now. We are talking about splitting up the typical "senior pastor" role among the two part time pastors, and making them both full time positions. I would still devote half time to student ministry, and half to sunday morning preaching. Preaching is something I've done, enjoyed, and feel gifted in. He would still be responsible for ministry strategy and development, and also take on the pastoral care role.
I realize this isn't typical, and would like to get multiple people's thoughts on this.

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- Eric
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4 years ago

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0 Votes I love that type of position, I get to fill in for our pastor on a regular basis and its great. by jake_dorak 4 years ago by jake_dorak 4 years ago
0 Votes I don't think it should be a permenant solution unless you feel called to step "IN" to that role. Being the main sunday preacher doesn't mean you assume senior pastor role, just means you assume some of the duties so that the church can function in the interim. No it isn't typical but it probably happens to more and more. If they have already asked or you have volunteered then you should do it! by TexMex 4 years ago by TexMex 4 years ago
0 Votes A youth pastor and senior pastor roles should be separated. Having a youth service among the congregational services is great. But being a youth pastor is a calling! The two can alternate but one should be responsible for youth ministry and be identified as such... by Ivin Vi... 4 years ago by Ivin Viljoen 4 years ago
0 Votes (Sorry if this double posts) I think that much of this depends on your philosophy of student ministry. If your vision is to integrate students into the body at large, shepherd students, develop adult leaders, etc., this could be a really good thing. It's huge in building credibility and building the students into the body. If the church looks at you as the guy who takes care of the kids who aren't ready for big church yet and to strictly take care of a subset, this could be more difficult. Personally,I think this is a great opportunity, and would personally dive into it if that type of thing was going to happen here. If you can, really play up the team concept. That will help you both a ton by Adam 4 years ago by Adam 4 years ago
0 Votes I think having the primary youth ministry leader involved in Sunday morning worship is extremely important. My head pastor is gone for the next 3 weeks and I'm the only other pastor on staff. I see my role as an extremely important one because not only do I get a ton of other ministry experience, people in the congregation get to see me in a role other than "the guy who hangs with kids." I think youth ministers gain credibility when they preach and do other things in the church. While we shouldn't "have to" do those things necessarily to gain that credibility, it does help in the eyes of the congregation. So do it man. Preach well. Just don't forget the youth... by Adam Wa... 4 years ago by Adam Walker Cleaveland 4 years ago
0 Votes Will this be a temporary as the church will be searching for a new Sr. Pastor? I have consulted with a couple churches in my past that went the route you're consider and in both cases I saw the student pastor begin to lose touch with his students and leaders as the demand for the Sr Pastor position grew. I'm not saying this will happen in your case, but from my experience I have not seen this combination work and the ones that end paying the biggest price are the students. But I'd also say that if your only responsibility would be to preach on Sunday leaving the other guy to handle Pastoral care you may just find the balance you need and still stay focused on your students. by Brian Ford 4 years ago by Brian Ford 4 years ago

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I love that type of position, I get to fill in for our pastor on a regular basis and its great.

jake_dorak

4 years ago

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I don't think it should be a permenant solution unless you feel called to step "IN" to that role. Being the main sunday preacher doesn't mean you assume senior pastor role, just means you assume some of the duties so that the church can function in the interim. No it isn't typical but it probably happens to more and more. If they have already asked or you have volunteered then you should do it!

TexMex

4 years ago

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A youth pastor and senior pastor roles should be separated. Having a youth service among the congregational services is great. But being a youth pastor is a calling! The two can alternate but one should be responsible for youth ministry and be identified as such...

Ivin Vi...

4 years ago

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(Sorry if this double posts)
I think that much of this depends on your philosophy of student ministry. If your vision is to integrate students into the body at large, shepherd students, develop adult leaders, etc., this could be a really good thing. It's huge in building credibility and building the students into the body. If the church looks at you as the guy who takes care of the kids who aren't ready for big church yet and to strictly take care of a subset, this could be more difficult.
Personally,I think this is a great opportunity, and would personally dive into it if that type of thing was going to happen here. If you can, really play up the team concept. That will help you both a ton

Adam

4 years ago

Votes

I think having the primary youth ministry leader involved in Sunday morning worship is extremely important.

My head pastor is gone for the next 3 weeks and I'm the only other pastor on staff. I see my role as an extremely important one because not only do I get a ton of other ministry experience, people in the congregation get to see me in a role other than "the guy who hangs with kids."

I think youth ministers gain credibility when they preach and do other things in the church. While we shouldn't "have to" do those things necessarily to gain that credibility, it does help in the eyes of the congregation. So do it man. Preach well. Just don't forget the youth...

Adam Wa...

4 years ago

Votes

Will this be a temporary as the church will be searching for a new Sr. Pastor? I have consulted with a couple churches in my past that went the route you're consider and in both cases I saw the student pastor begin to lose touch with his students and leaders as the demand for the Sr Pastor position grew. I'm not saying this will happen in your case, but from my experience I have not seen this combination work and the ones that end paying the biggest price are the students.
But I'd also say that if your only responsibility would be to preach on Sunday leaving the other guy to handle Pastoral care you may just find the balance you need and still stay focused on your students.

Brian Ford

4 years ago

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