Chapter Three - The SUPERstar

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Have you ever been asked these questions? "What is your vision for our student ministry? What do you want to see happen? What do you want to do with our students?"

I have. In an interview. An interview! I wasn't even the hired yet. In fact, it was asked in the first face to face interview?

A vision? For your student ministry? I know very little to nothing about your church, much less your student ministry, and you want me to lay out a vision for you? Not happening.

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What's wrong with the question, you ask? Nothing. And yet, everything.

Questions like these are fine when you have spent some time in a church as the youth worker, and have come through a season of vision planning and and prayer. But in the interview? How can I present a vision for your student ministry without first know what God is doing in your student ministry?

Mark tackles this issue in chapter 3 of his book, Sustainable Youth Ministry. He calls it the Superstar Search; the quest for the youth worker who will solve all the problems of the youth ministry and bring about fruit, growth, and a thriving ministry. 

Mark describes the process as a church looking towards the new hire as the answer to whatever problems or issue the current youth ministry is dealing with or needs to overcome. The assumption being that, since we're hiring the new youth worker, clearly, he will know what to do! And that's not always true.

It's a dangerous place for both parties, assuming that the youth worker answer the solution to all the problems. Sure, with experience and learned wisdom, a seasoned veteran might be able to help navigate through difficulties . But to lay the weight of the youth ministry on the shoulders of a new hire is unfair and unrealistic.

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When I started at my current ministry, I wanted to stay away from the Superstar label, so I came in with a couple guidelines. I set these guidelines because I sensed that there were some issues that needed to be overcome. Nothing bad, just some stuff that needed to be dealt with. The ministry had an already a well established program. I guy I was replacing had just completed 10 years with the church. The church was happy with what he had done. More important, the students like what he had done. But I sensed that there might be that desire by the church to see something more happen with the youth ministry. there was a new lead pastor, a new director of worship and music, and an unspoken feeling that change was in the air. So by setting a few guidelines for myself. Honestly, I was really protecting myself.

The Guidelines...
1. No Major Changes in the First Year.
I knew I had a lot to learn; the program, the culture, the students, the congregation, etc. This was a fruitful ministry that people respected. I was the new guy. My job that first year was to observe and learn. We kept everything the way it was. We did what the ministry always did. And we evaluated as we went.

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When I started at my current ministry,
I wanted to stay away from the Superstar label,
​so I came in with a couple guidelines.

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2. No New Commitments.
This one was hard. By nature, I am a guy who likes to serve and get involved. But in the past I made the mistake of biting off a little too much too early. This time I wanted to easy in and really focus on the students; developing relationships and evaluating the ministry health and long-range possibilities. So I said "NO" to a lot of invitations to get involved with different aspects of the larger church and community. This proved to be a very good guideline.

3. Focus on People not Programs.
When hiring the Superstar, the church sees the youth worker as the program person. Good or bad, the youth worker will know what to do with the programs. And that might be true, especially if you are really gifted in the program department. But I wanted to make sure I focused on the people and not just the programs. I spent the year focusing attention on getting to know the students, parents, key leaders and influencers within the church. I need to know who was who and how things and people were related. So that's what I did.

4. Take It SLOW!
I am a dreamer, a builder. I am pretty creative and I like looking at a program to see how it can be improved. I like structure and organization. I like to work with a team, surrounding myself with gifted men and women with a shared desire to see students grow in their faith. I am big on discipleship and small groups. I like systems and strategic planning. I like to plan a year in advance. I like to brainstorm with creative thinkers. I like to ask the questions, "What's broken?" then work to resolve it as quickly as possible. All of these are great qualities and in many case can be powerful influences, but coming in I wanted to take things slow. To much change to soon can turn around and bite you in the face. I've been there. It hurts. By taking it slow, you have the time to see the bigger picture of ministry and what God is doing. 

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The big problem with the Superstar mentality
​is where everyone places there hopes.

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Would I do all the same things next time? I don't know. I think that each church offers its own unique situations that require a unique approach. I think the bigger thing to consider is what the church is looking for in a youth worker and what they hope for in the youth ministry. If they are wanting the next hire to be the answer to all their problems, and you find yourself on their shortlist, it might be worth taking a minute to seriously consider the steps you take in the coming months. 

The big problem with the Superstar mentality is where everyone places there hopes. The quick fix solutions may bandaid a problem for a little while. But eventually the bandaid has to come off leaving the question, the bleeding has stopped, but is the cut really healed?

I think the long-term approach is the healthier direction. That involves hiring the guy who has the experience to carefully navigate the waters of the youth ministry with wisdom and patience, while the church sees the solutions coming as carefully implemented moments of growth. That's why I love the emphasis of the Sustainable Youth Ministry. No quick fixes. No bandaids. No Superstars.

Instead, strategic, prayerful, thoughtful adaptions of the ministry that lead to ongoing sustainability and growth. Hire the youth worker who sees the church and its leadership as partners in ministry. As a church support the youth ministry in allowing the youth worker to grow a team that desires long-term success. And foster on a program that focuses on discipleship, leading to students to live more and more like Jesus.

​- jay

To learn more about my year-long experiment, visit my The Sustainable Experiment page!
​Disclaimer: This is an independent study. I am in no way affiliated with the author or
​the organization the author represents.

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Jay Higham is a veteran youth worker of over 25 years; having worked with students in the local church and Christian camping settings. Jay is currently serving as the student ministry director at a church, located in Western PA. Jay has been married to Amy for over 21 years. Together, they are raising 5 kids, (4 boys and 1 girl). Jay is an aspiring author, blogger, speaker, vlogger, and social media junkie. He is passionate about student ministry, family ministry, and training youth workers to love and serve their students with passion and excellence.