WHEN A PARISH LOSES ITS YOUTH MINISTER

I logged onto a virtual meeting recently with a parish that had just lost their youth minister. Everyone on the call could have been overwhelmed—after all, it’s easy to panic when the person holding the ministry together steps away. But what struck me right away was how the pastor approached the situation.

Instead of rushing to “fill the position” and hope for the best, he took ownership. He wasn’t looking for a quick fix. He wanted something long-term and sustainable. His next move wasn’t to draft a job description but to gather a team of parishioners who could pray, discern, and ask the right questions together.

That shift made all the difference.

WHY THIS MATTERS

Too often, parishes hire someone with the unspoken expectation: “Figure it out.” The problem is that no matter how talented or faithful the person is, they’re walking into a fog with no direction. That’s not just hard—it’s discouraging.

I’ve been there myself. When I started at my first parish, I wasn’t left to guess. The pastor and staff handed me a long-term vision of where they hoped the ministry would go. They also gave me clarity on my first steps—what to focus on, who to meet with, and what early wins to look for. Having that kind of guidance changed everything.

It meant I wasn’t carrying the vision alone. I knew the parish was invested in more than just my position—they were invested in the ministry itself. And that is the kind of culture that makes youth ministry sustainable.

TEAMS OVER QUICK FIXES

Youth ministry is healthiest when it is shared. A single staff person, no matter how gifted, can’t carry the discipleship of an entire generation. When parishes prioritize young people together—as a whole community—every generation benefits. Research shows that churches with thriving youth ministry also experience more vitality, creativity, and energy across the board.

That’s why, instead of rushing to hire, this parish began imagining what a youth ministry leadership team might look like. The idea wasn’t to add another committee, but to gather a small group of adults who could mentor, support, and champion young people. A team like this helps carry the vision and creates stability for the long haul, even if staff changes again in the future.

QUESTIONS EVERY PARISH SHOULD ASK

The beauty of this approach is that it starts with listening and discernment, not just filling a vacancy. Whether your parish is in transition or simply looking to strengthen youth ministry, here are some questions that can guide the process:

• What’s working well for young people here? (Celebrate the bright spots.)

• What’s missing or not working? (Name the gaps honestly.)

• Where do young people fall in our parish’s priorities?

• If we had a youth ministry leadership team exist one year from now, what would success look like?

• What gifts or roles should be represented on that team? (Parents, mentors, organizers, prayer support, young adults.)

• What qualities should we look for in our next youth minister?

These questions aren’t just theoretical—they help define the vision that a future youth minister can step into. Instead of guessing, they’ll know what matters most to the parish and how their role fits into a larger plan.

THE TAKEAWAY

Losing a youth minister can feel like a crisis, but it can also be a chance to reset. When pastors and parish leaders pause to create a vision, form a team, and lay out a path, they don’t just set up their next hire for success. They build a culture where young people know they belong and where their faith can grow for the long haul.

Youth ministry doesn’t rise and fall on one person. It flourishes when the whole parish takes ownership.

So, let me leave you with this:

If your youth minister left tomorrow, would your ministry survive?

Who could you begin gathering today to make sure the next generation knows they’re not forgotten?