I’ve spent the past few years as an “over-the-hill” student pastor.  I’m old enough that I have kids of my own in the youth group, and I did not start parenting young.

One of the challenges of staffing when it comes to a student pastor hire is the “age versus experience” quandary.  A young student pastor, whose not far removed in age from the youth, identifies better with the students but the parents are nervous over his lack of experience.  A pushing-40 student pastor, with a few youth-age kids of his own, helps parents feel more secure but the students feel disconnected from his “ancient” age.   So, what’s the right age for a student pastor hire? Continue Reading…