When you accept a position in youth ministry in a small church, most of the time you take on the whole load by yourself. Until you can enlist help, it is all on your shoulders. However, at times you may find yourself blessed with a team of youth leaders that you wish were someone else’s blessing. The truth is, not everyone should be a youth leader. How do you handle a dysfunctional youth ministry team?

First, evaluate. What is the problem really? Is it a personality conflict you have with another leader? Or is it a problem of philosophy–he just sees youth ministry differently than you? Or is there a character flaw? Explore the problem. Find someone who will talk with you honestly about the problem, someone who will be objective.

Second, pray. I know there are those who would disagree with me, but I would be hesitant to ask someone to step down from youth ministry because I didn’t like him. In fact, someone who rubs me the wrong way may be perfect at reaching teenagers that are not likely to respond to me. I need God’s perspective on my relationship. I need to be willing to make adjustments and work at a relationship if God wants to use both of us in the same ministry. On the other hand, if I need to confront a serious problem or character flaw, I badly need God’s wisdom and grace.

Third, talk honestly. Set aside time to talk about what you see. Ask the leader if he sees things in the same way. Listen to what he says.

Fourth, involve appropriate church leadership. Never let the pastor be surprised to find out you have asked another youth leader to step down. Talk to him about the problem and what you want to do to address it.

Finally, act. Don’t let a problem go on unaddressed. If a person is creating problems in youth ministry, kindly ask him to step down. It is not a fun conversation, but the teenagers in your church are too important to have someone who is not appropriate for teenagers as a leader.