I still get the rush of success when young people pack out my meetings. But in defining success I keep coming back to a man who often avoided the crowds in preference to a small group of potential leaders He called His disciples. Jesus loved the multitudes, but He knew His long-term ministry would be accomplished through training key leaders. We would do well to follow Christ's example. They round out an otherwise lopsided ministry.
Some youth pastors have, for example, the gift of teaching.
But many other gifts, such as mercy, administration, helps, and exhortation are needed to lead a successful youth ministry. No youth minister has all the gifts. Youth ministry flows through relationships. Although our love for youth and ability to relate to them probably influenced our decision to go into youth ministry, we can significantly relate to only a small group of young people. We may never relate well to certain youth, or even an entire subculture of youth.