This series of blog articles explores the challenges, gifts, and opportunities that come along with being a woman in youth ministry. We hope these articles will encourage both women and men as we serve teenagers together in the local church.
In 2014, my first article written for Rooted was titled, “On Being a Woman in Youth Ministry.” am grateful that the Lord continues to use situations, both difficult and joy filled, to remind us of his goodness and grace as his daughters. Below you will find a letter to my younger self, in relation to serving the local church as a woman in youth ministry.
Dear younger self,
Praise God—it continues to be a genuine gift and privilege to come alongside students during formative years and share the gospel. For a variety of reasons, there will be moments, and even seasons, that this calling may not feel like a “gift” in the coming years. Disgruntled parents, changes in church leadership, and a global pandemic will all contribute to discouragement. There will also continue to be times as you serve in ministry that your gender will lead to insecurity and doubt in your career. In these moments, it is important to continue turning to God’s Word for your identity and calling.
Look to Jesus
As you serve the church, Rebecca McLaughlin’s book, Jesus Through the Eyes of Women, will help you gain a more robust understanding of the value Jesus placed on women throughout his earthly ministry. McLaughlin’s statement early on in her book will be formative for you, and something I wish you had heard, and grasped, years ago:
The four New Testament Gospels tell multiple stories of Jesus relating to women. Poor women. Rich women. Sick women. Grieving women. Old women, Young girls. Jewish women. Gentile women. Women known for their sinfulness. Women known for their virtue. Virgins and widows. Prostitutes and prophetesses. Looking through their eyes, we see a man who valued women of all kinds—especially those vilified by others. Indeed, the way that Jesus treated women tore up the belief that women are innately inferior to men: a belief that was pervasive in the ancient world. We should not be surprised, therefore, that women have been flocking to Jesus ever since (11).
In a time and a society that excluded women, Jesus did the opposite. He included women in the crowds as he taught and preached, and took time to teach the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4. Throughout the Gospels we read that a small group of women traveled with Jesus and his disciples. We see in Matthew 28 that the first people Jesus reveals himself to following his death and resurrection are women. You can look confidently to Scripture and know that women were not second class citizens in Jesus’ eyes.
Take Heart
As you seek to faithfully minister to families in the coming years, your ministry will not be defined by your gender. God has equipped and called you for the work ahead. He has knit you together (Psalm 139) with purpose. Your confidence for your calling does not come from your gender, it comes solely from the call the Lord has put on your life. Your gender is not a runner up prize or a mistake, and it does not disqualify you for the work to which God has called you.
In Jesus’ kingdom, your womanhood is a gift. God has created men and women in the image of God (Gen. 1:26-28). As men and women, we can heed the call found in 1 Peter 4, “each of you should use whatever gifts you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” This is a command for all of God’s children, both male and female. Friend, remain faithful in the call the Lord has placed on your life.
If you’re looking for gospel-centered encouragement and friendship in youth ministry, consider joining us at the 2025 Rooted Conference in Chicago, IL October 23-25. Get a special early-bird discount until May 15!
