The longer I'm in youth ministry, the more I hear fellow workers talking about the stresses of a secondary role they are asked to fill in the church. Youth workers seem to be the small church's answer to a small-group coordinator, Vacation Bible School director, media specialist and worship leader (sometimes all of the above).

Most of the youth workers I know have been asked to fill a worship leading role in some capacity sometime after they've been hired to work with students. In my case, my mother teaches music at the high school level, and my father has taught drama at the college level. I've never studied either, but I've been "called" upon to lead music, drama and worship in three different positions. Through it all, I've learned some great ways to incorporate my passion for students into my newly created job description.

These are some of my thoughts about how to handle such responsibility as a youth worker:

"Well, I got the call, man."

"The call for what?"

"I've been called to do worship ministry at my church."

"Wow! How did you know you were called?"

"Well, I received the call, I answered, and I hesitantly said, 'Yes.'"

"So what did God say when He called you?"

"God? No, man. The person who called was my pastor."

If you're like me and many other youth workers across America, then you've probably been seen as the church's answer to the worship role whether you planned on it or not. Just because you have an addition to your job description doesn't mean you have to work with your students any less.

I've worked with students full-time for seven years, and I've served in a worship leading role for five of those years. During that time, I've learned how to transform my worship leading into a ministry to students. I've included students in the worship team (creating a great inter-generational ministry), developed totally student-led worship services, started an annual event for students to lead other students in the community in worship, incorporated the tech-savvy students into our A/V staffing, as well as included students in planning meetings for regular worship services.

Whether a youth worker feels "called by God" to lead worship, it is still possible to retain our affirmed call to minister in the lives of students.

NOTE: Say you're someone with a passion for students who simply wants to see them involved in the greater ministry of your church family. You can use the following tips to work with the worship leaders of your church to get students involved.

Preparing for Worship

Every church has different traditions and preferences regarding worship, but most will admit they welcome some fresh perspective. Recruiting some of your students to be part of your worship committee or planning team can be a great way to mix things up a bit. They don't even have to be able to play or sing anything! Students are so into music, and for the most part they know what sounds good and what will flow. They are also an integral part of your church family. Their opinion about what is included in your worship service is just as viable as any other member, not to mention the fact they can provide some really valuable insight, especially if you're looking to connect with visitors.