Why You Could Start or Lead a Youth Ministry

Hi, my name is Steve Elzinga. I'm leading you in this youth ministry class, and in this lecture, we're going to look at the question: Can you lead?

Obviously, you have a desire—otherwise, you wouldn't be taking this class. Maybe there's a tremendous need where you are. Maybe you've been pushed into it or shoved into it—I don’t know. The question is: Can you do it?

That's always the question with leadership. Maybe you’re a competent person, and you think, "How hard can anything be?" I was a bit that way. One of the phrases people say I use a lot is, "How hard can it be?" And then I often discover that it's a lot harder than I thought.

So, it's a good question: Can you do it? And more importantly, how do you know that you can?

Why You Could Start or Lead a Youth Ministry

You can see from this title that I’m a little prejudiced toward thinking that you can—because I believe people sell themselves short more often than they oversell themselves.

Why You Might Think You Can't Lead a Youth Ministry

1. Fear of Not Being Able to Connect

You might be thinking:

  • "I’m an adult—how do I know that I can have an impact?"
  • "How do I know anyone will follow me?"
  • "I might be out of touch with youth culture—I don’t know their music, their language, or their world."

📖 Example from Scripture: 1 Samuel 2
The story of the prophet Eli, a priest, shows how he failed to lead his own sons. If Eli—who guided Samuel—couldn’t relate to his own children, then maybe we fear that we won’t be able to connect with youth either.

2. Not Confident in Your Knowledge

This is one of the most common fears when it comes to taking on leadership in the church—whether as a pastor, teacher, elder, deacon, or worship leader.

We hesitate because we don’t think we know enough. We are always taking classes, reading books, and going through evangelism training—but we still don’t feel confident.

📖 Proverbs 22:6 (NIV)
"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it."

But what if I don’t know how to do that?

The problem with this mindset is that there’s always something else to learn. Because there’s always something we don’t know, we can always believe we don’t know enough.

When is enough, enough?

3. Not Perfect in Your Life

  • "I wasn’t the best example when I was younger."
  • "I’ve made mistakes."
  • "I still struggle with things—does my past sin disqualify me from leading youth ministry?"

📖 Example from Scripture: Exodus 3:10-12
When God called Moses to lead Israel out of Egypt, Moses responded:
"Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?"

📖 Example from Scripture: Judges 6
Gideon was called to lead Israel but said, "I am the least in my family."

So, does imperfection disqualify you? No. God often chooses imperfect people for His work.

4. Not Sure What to Do

Especially if you’re starting a youth ministry, you might wonder:

  • "Where do I begin?"
  • "I was never part of a youth ministry when I was younger, so I don’t even know how one works."

👉 By the way, that’s why you’re taking this class.

5. Afraid to Make Mistakes

  • "I’m not perfect, and I still make mistakes now."
  • "What if my mistake negatively affects young people?"

👉 These are normal fears—but they shouldn’t hold you back.

Why You CAN Lead a Youth Ministry

1. You Are a Disciple

📖 Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)
"Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.'"

  • Who is Jesus talking to? Disciples.
  • What are disciples supposed to do? Make more disciples.

A disciple is someone who follows Jesus and helps others follow Jesus.

If you are a disciple and you’re not making disciples—are you really a disciple?

Youth ministry is about helping young people follow Jesus—not just teaching, but leading by example.

2. You Are Empowered by the Holy Spirit

📖 Acts 1:8 (NIV)
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

If you think about it:

  • God calls all of us to follow Him.
  • God has work He wants done.
  • God could do it Himself—but He chooses to work through people like you.

Even if your life isn’t perfect…
Even if you don’t have experience…
Even if you don’t feel qualified…

God still chooses to work through ordinary people like you.

3. You Have Unique Gifts and Experiences

📖 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 (NIV)
"There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them... Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good."

  • You have gifts from God—even if you don’t realize it yet.
  • You have life experiences that God can use to shape you for ministry.
  • Even your hardships can be used for God’s glory.

4. You Will Not Be Alone

📖 Mark 6:7 (NIV)
"Calling the Twelve to Him, He began to send them out two by two."

Jesus could have sent each disciple out alone, but He paired them up—because there is strength in numbers.

You won’t be alone in ministry.

5. You Don’t Know What God Can Do Until You Step Out in Faith

📖 Mark 6:7 (NIV)
"Calling the Twelve to Him, He began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits."

  • The disciples had only begun their journey—but Jesus still sent them out.
  • They weren’t fully trained—but Jesus still used them.

👉 You don’t need to be fully ready. You just need to step out in faith.

Conclusion: Step Out in Faith

When I was 19 years old, I signed up for a mission trip to Ogden, Utah. I didn’t know how to share my faith and I was scared.

But I knew that if I signed up, I’d be pushed beyond my comfort zone—and I’d see where God would show up in my life.

👉 Youth ministry might be your opportunity to see what God has in store for you.

So step out.


Last modified: Thursday, February 13, 2025, 5:09 AM