I was a preacher once, and I was young.
I’m still a preacher, but a couple of years ago I ceased to be a young one. If I had to pick an age, I would say it happened at 35.
I preached my first full-length sermon when I was 18. I started preaching regularly for a little church outside of Abilene when I was 20. I landed my first full-time preaching job at 23. I was offered one of the more visible preaching positions in my network of churches when I was 29. Before I got there, one of the elders called me to tell me he was worried that I was too young for such a difficult job. I agreed, but assured him I was getting older every day. We were both right. Him about it being a difficult job for a young preacher and me about getting older every day.
During the first few years when I started preaching, people tell me I preached a good sermon and then say, “You’re gonna make a good preacher.” By year three, I wanted to protest and say, “I am a preacher.” I didn’t understand what they were saying then. Now I think I do. A 23 year old may able to deliver a good sermon, but he hasn’t seen enough of life to be preacher.
Being a young preacher had its advantages. I could get away with more. If I made a dumb mistake, I could blame it on my lack of experience. Sometimes I miss being naive. I said and did things back then that I can’t make a more mature, cynical version of myself do anymore. There a days when I’d love to go back and reclaim the innocence I knew at 25.
It had plenty of downsides too. I hated it when older people would discount my opinion because I was young. I’m not saying my opinions were more accurate than theirs, I just hated it when they would disagree with me and then remind me that I was still a youngster. I also don’t miss the insecurity. I spent the first 10 years of my preaching career in a fit of nerves on Saturday night that made most weekends a miserable experience. It’s only been in the last few years that I’ve been able to relax and enjoy the weekend with my family.
In my early twenties, being a young preacher was a liability. It my early thirties, it was an asset. Many churches have decided that in order to connect with young families and grow they need a “young preacher.” I heard that one church had described their ideal candidate as someone under 35. Four or five years ago I got quite a few phone calls from churches looking to hire a young preacher. Now they call and ask me if I know any young preachers!
This entire discussion about the age of a preacher is relative of course. In some denominations, a young preacher is someone under 40. Heck, in a few mainline churches, a young preacher is probably someone under 50! In my free-market, non-denominational network, I’m saying a young preacher is someone under 35.
What do you think? At what age does a young preacher cease to be young? On the other end of the spectrum, when does one become an old preacher?
At age 37, can I be just a preacher, with no other modifiers attached for a few years?
Thanks.
Telling Stories, Asking Questions, Learning Lessons
Wade, I’m a 49 year old youth minister who is young… I’ve seen DOZENS of situations where churches wanted young preachers/youth ministers and discounted the ones with the wisdom and experience that are brought about only by LIVING life. Sometimes it ended up being a good thing when they brought a younger person in… but sometimes it didn’t.
I heard the late Bobby Hise, former youth minister and teacher with Sunset, speak at the National Conference on Youth Ministry, share the three phases of youth ministry:
1. The Buddy Phase, where you are closer to the age of the students and able to relate more as a peer than anything else (most Youth Ministers are in this phase). The challenge, however, is that it doesn’t take long to realize that you’re not as “hip” and “current” as hope you are, when students listen to music and artists you’ve never heard of before.
2. The Parent Phase, where you become more of an authority figure and begin to relate more to the parents of your students, than only to the students themselves (some Youth Ministers make it to this phase). You show your love by guiding, prodding and setting boundaries for your students.
3. The Grandparent Phase, where you become old, but don’t have to assert authority, because you are perceived as someone with lots of life experiences (rarely do Youth Ministers make it to this phase.) Although it’s more challenging to relate to students, as you’re not “hip” by ANY means, they still know you care and that your passion is helping students.
Sorry for the diatribe… it’s just what was prompted in my pea brain from your post.
Rick—that is a great perspective. I hadn’t thought about similar issues related to youth ministry. Thanks for jumping in.
I heard Bobby Hise speak a few times when I was a teen. He was great!
It reminds me of a statement I heard Craddock make a few years ago. Paraphrased he said:
“When I was 30 I wanted to be a great preacher. When I was 40 I wanted to be a good preacher. Now, in the later years of my life, I just want to be a good disciple.”
I wonder how much of the maturing process for preachers (and youth ministers) is related to our ability to orient ourselves to the appropriate task. Namely, caring about being a good disciple over being a good preacher. Not sure if it connects with what you’re trying to say, Wade, but there might be something to that. Or, this could just be a 32-year-old preacher speaking out of his ass.
You may be right Ben, but I don’t think Craddock would want you to use that kind of language. 🙂
Another thing that churches look for in hiring ministers (especially Youth Ministers) are people that are just off the wall extroverts. They lose out on a lot of people that have the heart for ministry but are introverted. Nothing wrong with being extrovert or introvert but I believe you can be a good Minister and be naturally an introvert.
I totally get this. I’m 33, which in worship leader years is somewhere around 61.
I keep getting the same calls you get, Wade, but they are looking for a “mature? 23-25 year old with tattoos, a nice piercing, and a penchant for making worship tunes sound like Coldplay.
Chris–The single most consistent criticism I’ve had to deal with as a preacher over the last 13 years is that I’m too much of an introvert. I’ve worked hard to overcome it, but I still end up disappointing someone because they catch me at a time when I just can’t fake extroversion for more than a few minutes.
Sam–do you know where I could find a worship leader like that? 🙂
(In case Patrick reads this, which I don’t think he will, I need to say that I’m joking. I love our worship leader even though he has no tattoos or piercings and hasn’t quite nailed the Coldplay sound yet. He does a great acoustic version of U2’s “Bad” though)