New Youth Pastor: It MUST Be God

[Barb Bouldrey]

Our office secretary is a member at First Baptist Church here in Sikeston. Sunday night they interviewed and hired a new youth pastor. This young man came dressed in tee shirt, paint pants, flip-flops and earrings. And he received 85% positive votes.

Now, I have to believe it must be of God for a congregation to give that kind of vote to a young man dressed like that to interview in front of a church.

Would he have dressed that way for a position at First National Bank or for a teaching position in our high school?

Has our professional world changed so that you do not dress your best for a job interview?

The Holy Spirit must have helped those people vote "yes" based on his testimony and personality.

Barb

[Billy Cox]

Most churches believe that an effective youth pastor isn't going to dress like a mom and dad.

[Peter Teolis]

Working with teens, you need to be on their level. Suits don't cut it. In this day and age, the teen workers need to be alot more creative and flexable, not to mention understanding and full of grace! We can't shove the bible down their throat, we need to finness the word, using opportunities and events to help us.

It sounds like they have a winner on your hands, with 85% acceptance. God will work with the able and especially the willing!

[Gerald Spear]

Report back in one year.

[Barb Bouldrey]

I understand working with teens you dress differently. I just do not understand interviewing in front of the entire congregation dressed this way. I would not expect a suit and tie on this young man...but flip-flops and paint pants??? Tennis shoes and jeans, I can see.

I am sure the teens thought he was "cool." Fortunately, that congregation looked beyond his appearance and saw his personality and abilities.

Barb

[Gordon Greene]

Barb, I remember a guy who used to come to your church twenty-five years ago. His hair was way too long. He said that allowed him to sneak up on sinners. He hitch hiked to church. Almost always wore jeans and t shirts to church. You and John loved him but I imagine from time to time you had to "explain" him.

.....peace.....

[Barb Bouldrey]

Gordon,

You radiated with the love of Jesus and the joy of the Lord and the peace of knowing Christ. Everyone loved you immediately. Once you spoke to someone face to face that person never again noticed your long hair. It was a part of you.

Of course, you were not applying for a paid staff position, either. LOL!

See you at camp meeting next week.

Barb

[Gary Swartzlander]

I find it interesting that the congregation is interviewing and voting on a youth pastor.

[Barb Bouldrey]

Gary,

Yes, I was surprised to know that this Baptist church did the interviewing and the voting as a congregation. I did not know any church hired associates that way. And it is a large church.

Barb