Average Youth Minister Profile

How Do You Fit into the Average Youth Minister Profile

What is the Profile of the Average US Youth Minister Lets look at an average youth minister in the US. A combination of surveys from approximately 3000  youth ministers reveals the following profile. 33 years old Remains in a church position 3.9 years. 75% are married 76% are male. 94% have a 2 year college or university degree 49% of those with college degrees are ministry related majors and 42% of those with degrees are in a youth ministry emphasis or major. 62% serve in suburban ministry settings The majority are Baptist (20%) 38% receive no health insurance benefit; 47% receive no continuing education, auto or travel allowance 43% receive no housing allowance 64% receive no social security contributions 50% receive no budget for professional supplies, resources, or books. 72% percent struggle with feelings of being inadequate or ineffective in ministry. 64% who begin ministry under age 25 with no mentor will leave the ministry in less than 4 years 78.4 % left youth ministry by age thirty-nine 22% left during their twenties 16% left the ministry in less than two years 3.1 years average at a single position 89% said they had considered leaving the ministry 57% said they would leave immediately if they had a better place to go, including secular work. While the above data is not a glowing testimony of tenure, it does dispel much of the myth regarding 18 month