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May 14, 2012 Posted by Mark Oestreicher
I’ve been in youth ministry for eighteen years in a full-time role as a youth pastor—eleven years in my first church and seven where I am now. In those times there have been some over-the-top-great days that I will never forget. And then there are those days (lots more, it seems) when I wanted to quit and plenty of times when I just thought, This is so not making a difference. So when it comes to longevity, at least for me, it has been nothing short of an intentional and grace-filled series of choices.
I have been in youth ministry approaching twenty years, but I’ve worked in four different churches. Most people probably wouldn’t say I know very much about longevity since I have transitioned a few times. With that said, though, I think the list of those of us who have been doing Youth Ministry in churches for twenty years is pretty small.

The longest time I have stayed at a church is six years. That was an incredible time of growth for my family and for me. It is also the place where I still have some of the best relationships with students. I have been at my current church just over five years but am soon transitioning again.

A youth worker preparing a seminar on this topic asked me this exact question late last year. I gave him this list:

Embrace humility. Ask people to hold you accountable to this.

Have intentional conversations with youth workers who have stayed in one church for ten years or more. Seek their input.
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