It feels good whenever a church wants to hire you for the youth ministry job. This is something every aspiring Youth Pastor wants. Getting an interview is great, but getting the job offer can be life-changing. Accepting that job offer may not be best for you and your ministry career. Sometimes, saying no to that offer is the best thing for you. When offered a youth ministry position, consider some things before accepting. 

Here are 11 signs you should turn down a youth ministry job offer: 

1. Unhealthy Church Culture 

One thing you should inspect before accepting a youth ministry job is the overall culture of the church. Culture isn’t something you can necessarily see objectively, but it is something you experience, see, hear, and feel. Is there life in the church? Are people talking about what God is doing? Do people seem optimistic about the direction of the church? Are the lead Pastors and staff viewed positively? These are essential questions to ask yourself to assess the church’s overall culture. If the environment feels stale, negative, or controlling, these may be signs of an unhealthy culture you do not want to be in. 

2. Out of Alignment with the Church Mission 

The church mission can say a lot about what is most important to the church. This is why they exist and what they are trying to accomplish. Does it resonate with you? Do you agree with the Mission Statement? If you’re not in complete alignment with what the church is trying to accomplish, this could be a good indicator that this youth ministry job isn’t for you.  

3. Not Resonating with the Church Vision

Along the same lines as the church mission, the church vision will tell you much about where a church is going. You need to look beyond the words and see if they are putting into action what they are saying. Do you agree with the vision? Do you get excited thinking about where the church is going? Is the church moving in that direction, or is the vision statement empty words? If the church’s vision, future, and direction don’t resonate with you, this may be a sign that this church isn’t for you. 

4. Disagree with the Church’s Values

Church values are guiding behaviors that help shape a church’s culture, environment, and practice. Read carefully the church’s values and see how well they align with yours. The church’s values don’t need to match your values 100%, but for the church to be a right fit for you, there should be enough values you agree with and already live by. If you disagree with many of their church values, you may want to consider turning the role down. 

5. Negative Interactions with the Lead Pastor 

The lead pastor has the most significant influence on the church. They determine culture, leadership, discipleship, and the overall environment of the organization. Pay attention to your interactions with him. Do you leave feeling encouraged or confused? Does the lead pastor seem genuinely interested in you, or does he want nothing to do with you? How you interact with one another in the interview process should be a make-or-break moment. If you have negative interactions with the lead pastor, this is a good indication that things may not be great if you accept the youth ministry job at this church.  

6. Lack of Support from Church Leadership 

Churches must fully invest in the youth ministry and believe in the next generation. If they are not, you will feel isolated, alone, and easily frustrated. Ask many questions about the kind of support the youth minister will have from the church leadership. How involved is the lead pastor? How involved are other staff members? What type of budget and resources do you have access to? How much decision-making power do you have? You should ask these questions to see if you will get the necessary support to be successful. If the church leadership doesn’t support the youth ministry, this church probably isn’t for you. 

7. Compensation & Benefits 

Many churches are known for overworking and underpaying employees, especially Youth Pastors and Kids Pastors. Though pay doesn’t motivate everyone, it is something to consider. If the church isn’t paying you enough to cover basic living expenses, you may need to turn the position down. People in ministry work different hours, typically over 40 hours a week. Not being fairly compensated will eventually lead you to burn out from the stress of everyday life. 

Consider what the cost of living is in your area. Also, keep in mind your level of education. If you have a Master’s degree and the offer is low, then the offer doesn’t match your worth. It’s also important to pay close attention to their benefits package. Do you get reasonable paid time off and vacation time? Is dental and health insurance included? Is there a bonus structure? Do you have the opportunity to take a housing allowance? All these things can make a position appealing. Lacking a lot of these can make your decision to say no a lot easier. Know your value. 

8. How People Talk About the Previous Youth Minister 

How the church talks about the previous youth pastor can tell you a lot about the environment you’re walking into. Do they have negative things to say? Is there a lot of gossip or drama around the former youth pastor? If people freely speak poorly of him, they probably talk ill of others and will do the same about you. Of course, some exceptions exist, like if the former youth pastor was released for doing something significant. However, you should pay attention to the level of discretion used when speaking about the former youth pastor. You do not want to be a part of a church that speaks poorly about people behind their backs. 

9. Cynical Youth Leaders and Youth Volunteers 

In the same vein as the previous point, how the youth leaders and youth volunteers talk about the overall youth ministry can say much about the environment. If there is a lot of negativity or toxicity in the air, then you are probably walking into a situation with many obstacles. That

doesn’t mean you should shy away from challenges, but there is a difference between facing a challenge to overcome and fighting a losing battle. A robust, hostile environment differs from one you want to work in. 

10. The Sunday Morning Experience 

You do not want to work at a church where you dislike the Sunday morning experience. Do you enjoy the church? Do you like the music and song choices? Are you getting something out of the message? Is the environment open and friendly towards new people? If you would not choose to attend that church on a Sunday morning, then you probably shouldn’t accept a job offer either. Though it may be tolerable initially, it will wear you down over time. You want to work for a church that you’re excited about attending. 

11. Your Gut/The Holy Spirit 

Ultimately, you need to trust your gut and the voice of the Holy Spirit in your life. Pray and ask God to show you whether or not you should accept this role at this church. The Lord will guide you down the right path (Psalm 25:4). Things may seem reasonable on the outside, but trust your gut if something doesn’t feel right inside you. That may be God trying to tell you something. You do not want to ignore your gut and regret the decision weeks or months down the road.