Parental Myth #4: The Youth Leader Doesn't Want My Help

If you have a youth leader with:

• an over-inflated ego
• delusional grasp on the need to develop lay leadership
• limited vision
• overwhelming lack of wisdom

then… you might have to fight for a place on the youth leadership team.

Or, if you are a parent who:

• is un-teachable
• lacks flexibility
• focused only on your own child
• cannot laugh at yourself
• is not willing to follow (even a younger leader)

then… you might have a difficult time earning a place on the youth leadership team.

However, the reality is I have found very few churches that turn down volunteer leaders. Obviously there must be a vetting process (see vetting samples) to make sure the leaders are qualified and do not violate any legal standards. Beyond the vetting process though, the requirement is for a person to have a heart for God, His Word and for students.

The number one objection I hear, regardless of the size of the church, is the lack of leadership. In thirty eight years of working with churches, I do not ever remember one church boast that getting leaders would not be a problem. I have worked with churches of fifty as well as those of fifteen thousand and both have told me they lacked enough leaders.

Whether the church has a youth pastor or lay leader directing the ministry, they are wise to welcome parents onto the team. As a parent, you bring a dimension to the team that others just cannot contribute. Having a teen in your home gives you insight into the realities of a teen’s life all day, every day. You have your own personal “reality show.”

As a parent you also can help younger leaders understand how parents think. Your input may save some frustration. You know the things parents want communicated and can help the team avoid a lack of communication or miscommunication. What may not be important to a twenty-something single leader is vital to you as a parent of a teen.

So go ahead and step up…volunteer to help with your church’s youth ministry. But be ready for a weird response. Not weird in the sense that you will be rejected but because the leader is not accustomed to people volunteering.

Let them know that you love the Lord, love His Word and want to make a difference in a student’s life. Then watch them as they welcome you into the family of youth leaders. Don’t be surprised if they just keep looking at you with a silly grin on their face. You see they just got fresh troops on the front lines and they are elated. (And all this time you thought they did not want your help.)

Other Parenting Myths:

Parental Myth #1: I Can Sleep When They Are Out of Diapers!

Parental Myth #2: Youth Leaders Are Responsible for My Kid’s Spiritual Growth

Parental Myth #3: My Teens Don’t Want Me Involved