Churches across the country are finding it increasingly difficult to appoint ministers for children, youth, and family ministries. Many senior ministers are frustrated by prolonged vacancies, failed hiring processes, and a limited pool of qualified candidates. It’s no longer uncommon to hear church leaders express concern about how this challenge impacts their overall ministry.
Given the critical role these positions play in nurturing the next generation in the faith, it’s worth examining why this is happening—and what we can do about it.
What’s Going On?
The ‘Stepping-Stone’ Mentality
One key issue is the tendency for churches to view children’s and youth ministry as a stepping stone to “real ministry.” This mindset unintentionally diminishes the value of these roles. When children’s ministry is seen as a way to “cut your teeth” before moving on to something more significant, it can be hard to attract long-term, committed ministers.
Far too often, children’s and youth ministry is treated as an entry-level position. If someone has camp experience or has worked with kids for a few years in a secular context, that’s often considered sufficient. But this approach undermines the essential nature of these ministries. Ministering to children and youth isn’t a lesser form of ministry—it’s foundational, shaping the spiritual lives of young people who will grow into mature disciples and future leaders.
This devaluation becomes evident in how little training, support, and investment these ministers receive. A young person enthusiastic about children’s ministry may be welcomed into the role, but often without a long-term plan for their growth and professional development. Churches need to rethink this approach if they hope to see children’s, youth, and family ministries and ministers flourish in the long term.
The Lack of a Clear Training Pathway
One of the biggest challenges in appointing children’s, youth, and family ministers currently is the lack of a clear training pathway in conservative evangelicalism. Most pastors have formal theological training of some sort, but that’s not always the case for those entering children’s and youth ministry. Without structured training, many people feel underprepared for the complexities of these roles.
In the past, children’s ministry might have seemed simpler—teaching Bible stories, organising activities, and offering moral guidance. Today, however, children and young people face unprecedented challenges. Mental health concerns, social media pressures, identity questions, and broken family dynamics are just a few of the significant issues that young people bring to the table.
Unfortunately, many potential candidates shy away from these roles because they recognise the magnitude of the task but don’t see a clear path to develop the skills they need. If we want to attract qualified ministers, we must invest in accessible training pathways that prepare leaders for the complexities of modern ministry.
Burnout in Kids & Youth Ministry
Burnout is a pervasive issue for children’s and youth ministers, often stemming from a blend of practical and theological gaps. First, because many in these roles are undertrained, they often develop a ‘neophile’ tendency—a relentless search for new and innovative ideas, programmes, and methods to engage young people. This drive for novelty, while understandable, places undue pressure on ministers to continually reinvent their approach. Biblically, however, effective ministry is rooted not in constant innovation but in faithfully teaching and nurturing according to the “ancient paths” that God has set forth. Without foundational training in theology and biblical pedagogy, ministers may feel as though they’re endlessly navigating without a compass, leading to both spiritual and practical exhaustion.
Furthermore, a lack of continual professional development compounds this challenge. Ephesians 4 reminds us that ministers are given to equip the saints, yet they themselves also need equipping. When children’s and youth ministers are left without structured development, they miss opportunities to grow in their knowledge, skills, and resilience, which are essential to staying rooted and effective over the long haul.
Moreover, many children’s and youth ministers are placed under immense pressure to deliver big, visible results. There’s often an expectation for rapid growth, high attendance, and impactful events—all of which can skew ministry priorities towards performance rather than faithfulness. Yet, God does not call us to manufacture spiritual outcomes; He calls us to plant seeds, water them faithfully, and trust in His power to give the increase (1 Corinthians 3:6-7). This shift from a results-oriented mindset to a discipleship-focused approach requires a biblical understanding of success: faithfulness, not numbers, is what God values.
Ultimately, addressing burnout means grounding ministry in the biblical vision of community, support, and sustainable discipleship. Churches must recognise their responsibility to invest in the training, development, and care of those ministering to the young, ensuring they are equipped, valued, and supported.
Competing with Secular Careers
Today’s job market offers many attractive career opportunities, often with higher pay, clearer paths for advancement, and more recognition than ministry roles. Many young adults, even those devoted to serving the church, find it difficult to justify entering children’s or youth ministry positions that are perceived as low-paying, lacking upward mobility, and underappreciated within the broader church structure.
Yet, what has perhaps quietly faded is a sense of biblical vocation—a calling that transcends the pursuit of financial security or worldly advancement. In Scripture, the idea of vocation is rooted in God’s sovereign purposes, where each role, particularly those of teaching and discipleship, is a vital contribution to the Kingdom. For those drawn to ministry, a biblical understanding of vocation frames their work as an essential calling rather than just a career choice.
The financial gap undeniably poses a serious challenge. Churches must evaluate whether they are offering adequate compensation. But more than that, they must affirm the vocational significance of children’s and youth ministry, recognising it as an important ministry that serves both the immediate and eternal needs of the church. This commitment involves not only fair pay but also fostering an environment where these ministers feel genuinely valued and supported in their journey. To attract and retain gifted individuals, churches must provide more than a job—they need to cast a vision of lifelong ministry, affirming the worth of this calling in the eyes of God and His people.
What Can We Do About It?
1. Reclaim the Value of Children’s and Youth Ministry
The first step is recognising that children’s and youth ministry is not a secondary or temporary role. These ministers aren’t just preparing for “real ministry”; they are already doing crucial kingdom work. This affirmation should be reflected in how we speak about these roles, the resources we allocate, and the support we provide.
Investing in these ministries means providing proper training, ongoing mentorship, and opportunities for growth. When churches see these roles as central to their mission, the culture surrounding them shifts, making these positions more attractive and sustainable.
2. Provide Adequate Compensation and Career Development
Churches must also offer competitive renumeration and clear pathways for advancement. While ministry is a vocation, financial realities cannot be ignored. To retain passionate ministers, we must ensure they can support themselves and their families while pursuing their calling.
Additionally, churches should create development opportunities within children’s and youth ministry. Instead of viewing these roles as stepping stones, churches can offer a long-term vision for growth and leadership within this field. Providing additional training, sabbaticals, and broader ministry involvement can make a significant difference.
3. Build Collaborative Ministry Teams
To prevent burnout and isolation, churches should build strong, collaborative ministry teams. Children’s and youth ministers should not be siloed into their departments but fully integrated into the church staff team. Regular staff meetings, shared ministry goals, and unity in mission foster a healthier work environment.
4. Prioritise Comprehensive Training
Children’s and youth workers today need really good, robust theological education to effectively minister in a complex world. Growing Young Disciples is dedicated to equipping these ministers through seminary level training and mentorship, providing practical resources and ongoing support for those shaping the next generation. Through a carefully crafted training programme, we aim to help leaders build a foundation that integrates biblical knowledge with an understanding of cultural dynamics and developmental psychology.
Churches should also collaborate with respected theological institutions to strengthen the training pathways for those called to children’s and youth ministry. Crosslands offers excellent theological degrees that equip ministers with the depth of knowledge and spiritual formation essential for this field. By partnering with such institutions and investing in structured training, churches can better equip both current and future ministers to navigate the unique challenges of modern ministry with confidence and care.
