I asked a NextGen leader how long he expected to remain in his area of ministry.

He said, “At first, I thought I would do this for a few years and then be an associate or lead pastor, because that’s what seems to happen to most kids’ and youth ministry leaders. But now I could see myself doing this well for 15 or 20 years.”

This leader’s response highlights both a common myth about NextGen ministry and his determination not to let it stop him.

There are a number of erroneous assumptions that can hinder ministry to kids and teens.

As part of my doctoral dissertation work, I recently conducted a study of tenured Assemblies of God NextGen leaders. All participants were full-time youth pastors who had served at their churches for five years or more. Many also ministered to children or young adults.

After surveying 79 respondents and conducting qualitative interviews with 24, I identified 15 myths concerning NextGen ministry.

Even as these leaders articulated misconceptions, they were routinely defying and overcoming them to live out God’s calling on their lives.

Following are four of the most pervasive myths surrounding NextGen leadership.

Youthfulness Myth

Lead pastors looking to fill NextGen positions often say, “We want somebody young, who can relate to our students.”

This is particularly common when it comes to youth ministry.

While a younger pastor might have more generational connection to children and teens, that advantage lasts a few years at best. (To a 13-year-old, someone who is old enough to have completed college is practically over the hill anyway.)

The ability to relate to young people comes from spending time with them. I surveyed leaders across a broad age spectrum who were successfully building relationships with kids and teens. The youngest leader was 26 and the oldest was 60.

Yes, there are 60-something NextGen pastors, and they tend to be good at what they do. The average age of pastors in my study was 36.5. A sizable share took on their first pastoral role in their late 20s or beyond.

Age is less important in NextGen ministry than maturity.

Coolness Myth

Closely related to the age issue is the notion that a pastor has to look cool to appeal to students. This myth has probably done more damage to NextGen ministry than any other.

Many people think youth pastors need to look or dress young to minister successfully to teenagers. However, I reviewed more than 70 NextGen ministry books, articles, and studies as part of my research, and no credible author supported this idea. It’s false — and highly problematic.

There are many reasons why trying to look or dress like the most popular kid in school is a bad idea. When NextGen pastors embrace this way of thinking, they model both materialism and a lack of faith.

Jesus said, “Why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these” (Matthew 6:28–29).

Image obsession is the opposite of what Christ taught.

Further, it instills harmful beliefs in young people. First, it suggests church leaders must be cool. Students who feel they don’t fit that category may conclude there is no place for them in ministry.

Trying to look cool reinforces the toxic cultural message that external appearances determine a person’s value.

Second, trying to look cool reinforces the toxic cultural message that external appearances determine a person’s value.

Tragically, pastoral attempts to relate to cool kids has left some students feeling left out or unwelcome, particularly those who can’t afford designer clothes or lack confidence in their looks or body types.

Many of these teens already feel like outcasts at school and desperately long for the love and acceptance of their church community.

Don’t fall for the coolness myth. Instead, focus on spending time with all kinds of students, getting to know them and pointing them to the gospel.

Gender Myth

Half of the young people we are trying to reach are female. Yet males occupy a disproportionate share of full-time NextGen pastoral positions. This gives some people the false impression that men outperform women in these roles.

Regardless of the reasons for the disparity in representation, gender is not a factor in ministry success.

Approximately 16% of the pastors I interviewed are women. They had served successfully in NextGen ministry at their churches for at least five years — including one who had faithfully ministered for more than 20 years.

Women can lead just as well as men. The Assemblies of God ordains women and affirms that they can occupy any ministry position. In fact, we need more women stepping into NextGen leadership.

Seeing women in ministry benefits the entire congregation. It demonstrates that the Church values the contributions of both genders. Crucially, it opens the hearts of women and girls to the possibility that God could call them to preach the gospel.

Steppingstone Myth

Perhaps no myth is more pervasive than the idea that NextGen ministry roles are short-term steppingstones to higher levels of leadership.

While it’s true that ministry to kids and youth is often an entry point for recent college graduates, the average leader in this study had ministered to students for 12 years and served the same church for just over eight years.

A majority (62%) expected to stay in NextGen ministry for 15 years or more, and 39% expressed the belief that God had called them to stay for life.

NextGen ministry is no steppingstone to these pastors. They are determined to pour their lives into young people for years to come.

Defying the Myths

NextGen leaders who are defying the myths have several traits in common. Among the most significant are their commitment and faithfulness.

They believe what they do is making an eternal difference. Nearly all study participants (99%) affirmed this.

You, too, can rise above the myths by focusing on what matters most. Plan every sermon, small group discussion, and event with eternity in view.

Ministry to young people is fun. That’s one of the perks of the job. But while we’re having fun, we also need to take seriously what we do and realize precious souls are hanging in the balance.

Some 96% of NextGen pastors surveyed said their calling sustained them, especially during challenging times. Several participants used the word “anchor” to describe how their calling kept them in the same place.

Lean into your calling as well. When the storms of life and ministry rise, drop anchor.

God’s calling is a testimony of His promised faithfulness to those of us who minister to students. If we stay connected to Him, we can defy the myths and trust that He will provide and sustain us.

This article appears in the Summer 2024 issue of Influence magazine.