NextGen Pastor Interview Notes
BIO
Raised in church
Went to a public college- after college plans/dreams didn’t work out
Interned at a church youth group- worked in camp settings
Realized his rec degree was helpful for a youth group but wanted more biblical training.
Got his masters while working as a youth pastor
After receiving his masters in Biblical Studies and Christian ministry became a family pastor
also known as nextgen pastor
Teaching role and responsibility
1.Primarily teaches youth large group- has small group leaders for boy/girl and broken into
age
Oversees birth- college plus their families
Has a preschool, childrens and college director. Coordinates with adult Sunday school
departments (mostly the one with young adults that have children at home)
2.Is capable but doesn’t teach anyone except youth. He is not hands on teaching or
activities with the other ages. He attends childrens, college and adult events but doesn’t
plan anything.
Also preaches Sunday mornings on occasion. Fills in for adult classes sometimes for Sunday
school.
3. Middle school girls
Middle school boys
Highschool boys
Highschool girls
They meet in a large group for an overview and then go to small groups to discuss and dig in
deeper
7&8 together
9&10
11& 12 also separated by gender
4. Uses Grow curriculum- it is hands on, interactive, requires participation
A lot of the time teens have to work in groups
5. Friendship, mental health, family and relationships, sex, addiction, dating and marriage, grief,
peer pressure- grow covers this in a relevant and applicable way
6. the youth meet in their own building. It has a big meeting room next to a kitchen and gym. The
youth are allowed to play in the gym upon arrival or hang out in the big room eating snacks,
playing table games etc. then they break out into their indivudal classrooms.
They meet in the same area on Sundays and Wednesdays.
Chairs in rows for the big meeting time.
7. the location is mostly good. The group has our own area that is large and inviting. The small
rooms could use a little love. They are nice but could be more individualized. It is adequate for
what is needed. The walls are a neutral color but could use more colors, graphics, pictures etc.
The space itself is big and has room to grow. There are board games, pool, ping pong etc for kids
to play and connect.
8. The best learning happens when the teens are actively involved. He uses a lot of hands on
object lessons, videos, science experiments, active learning. Games. The same method is not
used every week. We change it up every week to keep it fresh.
The most important thing is to keep the learning methods of the students at the forefront. It is
more important to teach how they learn best.
Give opportunities to discuss and practice putting what they learned into practice.
Students are encouraged to make plans for specific situations and implement them. (copied)
Don’t just read the Bible- help involve the kids in discussing and analyzing to better understand.
Teens are not wanting to sit still for a long sermon. Don’t want kids to think learning about Jesus
is boring. Not a lecture.
Not just giving out information. Cast vision. Point people to Jesus.
Reveal truth by parables like Jesus(say stories)
Teach using stories to engage teens – not just an information dump
Ask yourself: what do I want these students to do as a result from hearing what I have to say?”
don’t quote that directly
