May 08, 2025

Is Student Ministry Still a Stepping Stone?

27 minutes

A generation ago, student ministers would often make the leap to the lead pastor role after a few years. Does this kind of move still happen? If so, is it a good thing or not? Unfortunately, sometimes ministry positions outside of the lead pastor are seen as a lesser role in the life of the church. Josh and Sam break down the good and bad of leaping from student ministry to lead pastor.

Good: Student ministry can be a great place to develop leadership skills.

Bad: Treating student ministry as a stepping stone perpetuates the “less than” perception.

Good: Younger pastors need a place to mature and gain experience.

Bad: Overconfidence with success in student ministry can be a recipe for a hard fall in senior roles.

Good: God can call people through a progression of roles within the church.

Resources:

The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

Churchteams

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Church Answers Central

The Hope Initiative

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By Thom Rainer

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