5. So, who's the senior pastor?
Me. Contrary to popular belief, sometimes young adults can be trusted in a single pastor appointment. In fact, until recently, these appointments were quite common.
4. Oh, our kids/grandkids are your age!
The observation itself is not usually annoying, but you can see that the speakers are imagining their kids/grandkids as a pastor. This often leads to them realizing that their kids would not be a good pastor because they see them as: a)irresponsible, b)not into religion or its traditions, c)still kids even though they're adults, or d)all of the above. They then associate you with all of these things, and start doubting whether or not someone their kids or grandkids' age has any wisdom to share.
3. I'm sure you're great with the youth!
Age has less to do with being gifted in youth ministry than one might think. Some young adults, many of my friends included, are great at youth ministry. Others, myself included, are not. In fact, my father is more gifted in youth ministry than I am. I love the youth, I enjoy hanging out with them, teaching them, and learning from them, but I'm not gifted in youth ministry. Not all young adults are.
2. Oh, so you're going to do contemporary worship/get rid of our traditions/kick out the old people?!
Nope. Just because you think younger people hate everything you love and love everything you hate doesn't always mean they do.
1. You're too young to be a pastor.
Thanks. In one sentence, you have completely invalidated my choice of vocation. How is this any less offensive than telling a 60 year old, "You're too old to be an administrative assistant"?
Erik, about a year and a half ago I was preaching at a buddy's church one morning while he was on vacation, and an older woman came up to me and said that, "You remind me so much of my grandson." I said, "Oh, how nice. How old is he?" And she said, "Eleven."
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ReplyDeleteErik, thanks for posting this- I have heard every single one, and even more interesting since I am young AND female. That tends to complicate things even more! And it's nice to know that there is another young adult out there who considers themselves not so gifted with the youth, because I don't feel that I am called to that either!
ReplyDeleteBelieve it or not, people think I'm a young pastor and have said these things to me.
ReplyDeleteI echo the other's comments. It is hard to hear those things. Nothing makes me feel worse than people not thinking that I can be their pastor. Come on, people, stop being ageist!
ReplyDeleteOh, and nothing frustrates me more than being called "The Youth Pastor."
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