INTRODUCTION
You probably want to keep reading this book if—
Your body has more estrogen than testosterone,
You care about teenagers,
And you want to fall more in love with Jesus.
We’ve written this book with all sorts of women in mind:
Professionals and volunteers,
Rookies and veterans,
Church and parachurch,
Urban, suburban, and rural,
From every denomination we could think of (as well as those who would rather not be part of any one denomination).
Our humble prayer is that God will use one—or maybe 21—of these ideas to give you roots deep in him and wings to take you to new ministry dreams.
Our Stories as Women in Youth Ministry
Dr. Kara Powell
(Executive Director of the Center for Ministry to Youth & Their Families at Fuller Theological Seminary; Coordinator of the Women’s Youth Network; small group leader for student ministries at Lake Avenue Church in Pasadena, California)
My life as a woman in youth ministry has been a veritable “scratch and sniff ” book. So many memories, so many thrills, each forever embedded in a vivid scent.
The smell of pizza reminds me of my time with students. All those Wednesday night dinners before church, summer pool parties, and overnighters are forever linked with the aromas of melted cheese, tomato sauce, olives, and pepperoni. In the midst of getting distracted by all the busyness and the business of youth ministry, pizza is my connection to the ultimate goal of all that hanging out: seeing students changed by Christ to change the world.
I love peanut butter; always have and always will (especially the crunchy kind). Part of what I love about it is that it’s so portable, so easy to eat on the go. So when I think about my schedule as a woman in youth ministry, I smell peanut butter. Peanut butter and jelly (or my favorite variation: grilled peanut butter and jelly), peanut butter and apples, peanut butter and celery, and peanut butter on crackers have all been fuel as I’ve juggled the demands of students, volunteers, and families.
Since what I do flows out of who I am, my personal relationships have their own distinct scents in my “scratch and sniff ” book. Every time I use my raspberry-scented lotion, my husband says, “Ahhh…Hawaii.” During our honeymoon to Hawaii, I wore the lotion every day, and Dave says that when I wear it now, his mind is flooded with memories of our 10 days in Kauai. I like wearing it because it feels feminine. It helps me feel more like a woman and less like a Woman in Youth Ministry.
As a mom with a two year old and a four month old, all sorts of scents remind me of my kids (some of which are not too pleasant, even to me). But right now my two year old is enthralled by two things: Play-Doh and trains. I try to combine the two and make trains out of Play-Doh, complete with train tracks, bridges, and tunnels. In the midst of my love for youth ministry, the salty smell of Play-Doh reminds me of my primary disciples: my own kids.
May all the smells melt into an aroma that pleases my Father above.
Heather Flies
(Junior High Pastor at Wooddale Church in Eden Prairie, Minnesota; member of the Youth Specialties CORE training team; a popular youth rally emcee at school and church events)
My view of “women in ministry” is very different today than when I was growing up in a small-town, Baptist church. As I sat in the pew as a child and looked around, I saw women in the choir and at the piano or organ, but that was it. Sure, in the summer they would be busy making Rice Krispies Treats for the VBS kids down in the kitchen, but women were never seen speaking from the pulpit, handing out bulletins, or passing the offering plate. And it all seemed extremely normal to me.
When I entered Bethel College as a freshman, I met a woman named Sherry. She was articulate, wise, fun, AND the associate college pastor! Sherry was the first woman in ministry I had met. As we got to know each other, and she observed me, she said, “Heather, you’re going to be in ministry.” I kindly thanked her for her input and then reminded her of my plans to be the public relations director for the Minnesota Vikings and marry a defensive lineman. But both Sherry and the Lord continued to guide and affirm me in my ministry gifts and by my junior year, my communication major that was once chosen for the NFL was now redirected to communicating to kids and encouraging their hearts.
Today, I tell people I was knit together in my mother’s womb to be a junior high pastor! My love for speaking, the Word, families, high-energy kids with braces, and leadership are a perfect fit for what God has called me to do. I am confident to stand before him one day and be held accountable for using my God-given gifts and the passion he instilled within me. By the way, I, too, love to make Rice Krispies Treats, but just try to keep me down in the kitchen (and away from kids)!
Megan Hutchinson
(Youth minister at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California; Director of Let’s Talk About It; member of the Youth Specialties CORE training team)
My “calling” as a woman in youth ministry was both obvious and challenging. Obvious, because God couldn’t have been more clear; challenging because I was clueless about being a woman in what is predominantly a man’s profession.
The obvious part was easy. I loved being around students. It energized me—still does. It is simply how God wired me. So I took the next logical step and began looking at women who did what I wanted to do: work full-time in youth ministry, speak, and write. I found these women had a few things in common. They felt called by God, loved students, and went to seminary. Convinced of the first two, off to seminary I went. And I absolutely loved it!
It was there I first encountered theological arguments for and against women in ministry. At first I was confused because I had not done any research. In fact, one night I was driving home while listening to Christian talk radio, and the host was asked, “If I am going to a church where a women, who is one of the best preachers I’ve ever heard, teaches periodically—should I leave?” Without hesitation the host said, “Absolutely! Leave right away. It is not biblical for a woman to teach.”
I immediately pulled over on the side of the road and bawled my eyes out. “God,” I cried, “You have given me the gift of teaching and evangelism. Why would you do this if it’s unbiblical?” I felt frustrated and at times discouraged, but over time my answer would come.
Through much prayer and study, I have learned that women play a vital and important role in the ministry of the church. Although there are many opinions about the roles of women in ministry, you must stay true to how God specifically shaped you.
I’ve learned that for me, I am to be a wife first, then a mom, then a minister who teaches without reservation about the life-changing truths of the gospel of Christ. It’s been quite a journey, but I’ve landed (do I hear an amen?). Today it is my prayer that I might “fearlessly make known” the gospel of Christ to all who may listen, be it male or female. My prayer is the same for you—that you would seek how God has specifically called you and go after that without reservation. I trust you will. Be encouraged!