Over the past month or two it’s been interesting to see this little debate pop up here and there and everyone voice their opinion. I’ll be real honest, when I first saw the posts popping up, I immediately assumed it was a sensationalistic stunt to stir stuff up, get lots of comments and make a scene. Like I could start a blog post saying that Sunday School is irrelevant and dead to the modern Chidlren’s Ministry and if you’re still doing it, you’re wasting your time and church’s money. Calm down, I didn’t mean that… honest. I was just making an example. Honest. (That would get a lot of comments, wouldn’t it?) However, I’m not going to judge. I don’t know what anyones intentions were. I’m not sure I really care. However, it is a somewhat interesting conversation though and I do have thoughts/opinions on the matter.
If I had to nail it down, I’d say the tension is more about a change in the times as it is semantic confusion. Ten years ago, the family pastor was pretty much unheard of. I’m not counting the Children’s Pastor who added “& Family” between “Children’s” and “Pastor” in their title. That WAS semantics and THAT Chidlren’s Pastor usually didn’t do anything different than any other Children’s Pastor. However, I think that strategies and methodologies are changing and people currently in some of these roles are feeling confusion and tension as parts of their jobs are changing, expectations about what they’re suposed to be doing is changing and who they report to is changing. As a result, some are trying to draw lines in the sand which may or may not be helpful. It may just be denial that things are unavoidably changing. When I became a NextGen pastor almost 3 years ago, I knew of two or three others in my role specifically. Now I know a few dozen. We’re seeing this role of Family Pastor emerge as a new role (or a rebirth of the Christian Ed Pastor from years ago as Jim Wideman likes to say). Good thing I got my degree in Christian Ed, huh?
Here’s where I see this trend going. Church plants will start hiring NextGen/Family pastors as one of their early hires who will oversee both kids and students, either as part time or full time positions. From the very beginning, the family will be a primary focus rather than just kids or students. Churches with this structure will probably experience less confusion, and Children’s Pastors and Student Pastors will probably be less confused or feel the need to draw hard lines. However, churches where student and children’s ministries are independent may feel this tension. Culture around them is pushing toward family ministry yet a role specific to that is vacant in their church, requiring them to define what that looks like.
So, my take is that this debate is more about a response to this strategic change as it is a need to define the value of a Children’s Pastor versus a Family Pastor, or whether current Children’s Pastors should do both. In my situation, I bear the weight of leading our family ministry strategy where my Children’s Pastors and my Student Pastors do their part in what they’re called to do with their unique gifts. Does that make sense? Thoughts?
Good stuff Kenny. I like the setup you have going on. A next Gen pastor that oversees the operations of a childrens and youth pastor. Did I get that right?
The thought of a next Gen pastor is a really great one. Wouldn’t you say that a next Gen pastor and a family pastor are really one in the same? Just curious.
I do have to admit. I first started on this subject to attract tons of attention. Not to myself, but to the subject. I think the more people that weigh in will bring a better conversation. I think it’s turned into a great dialougue.
Ps…I don’t like Sunday School either. Lol
Yes, I do oversee the ops of kids and students at my church… in another church I’d probably be called the Family Pastor. In addition though, I do champion the strategy for families… and work through my staff to carry it out.
For the record, I didn’t say I was Sunday School hater… I was jut making a point. 🙂
I am actually writing an article in K! magazine July/August in the Leadership issue defining the role of a kids pastor. For me that’s where the debate is. There is a old school and a new school idea of what a kids pastor is. Both schools can learn from each other but ultimately there is many expressions but there should be some principles that we all adhere to.
I’m a new school kids pastor. Lol
Can’t wait to read the article Sam
I agree with Sam…let’s define and move on as a team. Let’s pray through and follow God’s lead and then get to work…I don’t think drawing lines in the sand or marking our territories will accomplish much kingdom work. As we continue to become intentional we must remember that the method changes yet the message remains the same. Great conversation gentlemen!