Newsletter Article from Unity Update
At a previous meeting (November 2006) the Council assigned a team to study the possibility of a paid youth leader position. The reason for this directive was due to the proposal of a youth leader from the Willmar church who spoke highly of the current leadership and the time commitment provided by that leadership in a voluntary unpaid position. This proposal was brought to both the Unity Council and the Willmar CRC Council to consider the potential opportunity of coordinating efforts to share the cost of a youth pastor for the Solid Rock Youth Group which consists primarily of Unity and Willmar CRC youth.
The question faced by both churches is whether or not we can provide an effective youth ministry to this critical segment of the church with only volunteers. In essence, we must ask who we want to lead our youth. The time commitment necessary for an effective youth program eliminates the vast majority of volunteers. It is no longer simply a matter of time spent preparing a lesson – an effective youth ministry requires many hours spent in planning, coordinating, organizing, communicating, traveling, mentoring, fundraising, and many other activities that are integral to an effective youth program.
The direction of our discussion went to the realities of timing and cost. The recommendation of the committee was that the idea of a paid youth leader position is likely a necessity for an effective program, but that the timing for Unity to share in the cost of a paid position is not the best right now. Congregation feedback is always appreciated on topics such as this.
Official Correspondence from Unity CRC to Willmar CRC
Dear Willmar CRC Council:
Since our November 6, 2006 Council meeting, we have been discussing the possibility of creating a Youth Pastor position in conjunction with your church. The study team we appointed to look into this possibility did not formally meet in time to report at our December meeting. When the representatives of that team informed the Council of their discussions at our January 8, 2007 meeting, they also informed us that they had misunderstood or been misinformed about the exact nature of the task with which they were given and had therefore reached some conclusions that did not apply. At that time, the elders were prepared to simply end the discussion and say that it wouldn’t work. But when the matter was brought to full Council the official decision, as recorded in our minutes was:
"… we decided to keep the issue alive and perhaps become more creative about the hiring options… we decided the concept is a valid one and we do not want to dismiss it but feel that perhaps the timing is not good."
Following that meeting we communicated our discussion about this issue to the entire church through the summary of our Council meeting in the January Newsletter. That article relayed the following:
"At a previous meeting, the Council assigned a team to study the possibility of a paid youth leader position… This proposal was brought to both the Unity and Willmar CRC Councils to consider the potential opportunity of coordinating efforts to share the cost of a youth pastor for the Solid Rock Youth Group.The question faced by both churches is whether or not we can provide an effective youth ministry to this critical segment of the church with only volunteers… The time commitment necessary for an effective youth program eliminates the vast majority of volunteers…
The direction of our discussion went to the realities of timing and cost. The recommendation of the committee was that the idea of a paid youth leader position is likely a necessity for an effective program, but that the timing for Unity to share in the cost of a paid position is not the best right now. Congregation feedback is always appreciated on topics such as this."
At our February 5 Council meeting we had received word about the congregational meeting that took place at your church and our official decision was to table our discussion about the Youth Pastor position until we received more information from your Council about the work you were doing and the results of those efforts.
We find ourselves in a challenging situation at this point in our ministry. The primary concern of the elders was the increase to the church budget that would be incurred when we are already in the process of raising funds for our building expansion project.
However, we also recognize the value and necessity of having a paid Youth Pastor position and the continuing importance of encouraging our young people to gather together as one youth group. We also recognize that it would be awkward for us not to participate financially in the Solid Rock youth program and yet expect our students to receive all the benefits of participating in it. And since we previously decided this Fall to continue to support the joint-ministry of our churches in our Junior High and Senior High youth programs; we still believe that is extremely valuable; and we view this as the direction we want to go, we do not feel it right or wise to end that relationship.
Therefore, our official correspondence to you, the Council of Willmar CRC, is:
- We have not dismissed this proposal presented to us in November 2006
- We would like to remain a part of the dialogue about the possibility of this position, including any official correspondence you can provide us about your discussion at the Council level and the congregational level.
- We cannot guarantee our participation in the financial support of this new position in the traditional manner of providing for part of the salary.
- We would like to explore creative ways of being able to financially support the Solid Rock youth ministry and its future leader that would not ask the entire Unity CRC congregation to contribute to it.
- We would like our youth to continue to participate in the Solid Rock youth program as a joint-ministry between Willmar CRC and Unity CRC.
Excerpts from Minutes of Joint Study Team
- Thanksgiving for what God has done in the past 2 years of combined ministry
- Positives of both churches working together: larger group of kids, accepting kids from different backgrounds, more resources, impact on kids when they see churches working together in harmony
- Realization that if the churches continue to work together in this ministry and believe that paid staff is necessary, both churches should be committed financially.
- See the benefit for the youth and both churches, as well as an outreach opportunity
- Paid staff allows more time to be committed to the Youth outside of only time spent at Youth Group meetings.
- Kids' lives are bombarded with so many complex and difficult temptations. Much more time and expertise is needed to deal with these ministry needs
- More time can be committed to organization and teaching the youth to be leaders and disciple them to serve others.
- Challenge of forming a ministry guidance team from both churches
- Have one of the Pastors responsible for the day-to-day accountability
- Allocation of Ministry Time: 70% to Solid Rock Youth Group, 30% to overight of younger ministry at Willmar CRC
- Financial commitment from each church: Willmar 65%, Unity 35%
- Grant money available from Christian Reformed Home Missions
- Approximate cost of Position: $50,000 (including benefits)
- Need to finalize job description, duties, and expectations
