Chap Clark (Ph.D., University of Denver) is the Vice Provost and professor of Youth, Family, and Culture at Fuller Theological Seminary, the senior editor of YouthWorker Journal, a Sojourner contributing writer and "Red Letter Communicator," and president of ParenTeen™ and HURT seminars. He is a speaker, trainer and consultant, as well as the author of 18 books, including When Kids Hurt: Helping Adults Navigate the Adolescent Maze (Baker, 2009), Hurt: Inside the World of Today's Teenagers (Baker Academic, 2004, CBA Silver Medalist for Book of the Year), Disconnected: Parenting Teens in a MySpace World, Deep Ministry in a Shallow World and the recent Deep Justice in a Broken World. Chap has served in many diverse settings throughout his career in churches and parachurch ministries. He was on the Young Life staff for 15 years as an area and regional director. For the past 18 while a seminary professor, Chap has served as an executive pastor, a senior pastor and a consulting producer for a New Line television reality show. He is a highly acclaimed resource for community, adult, youth and family conferences, as well as media, board, corporate, and educational consulting and training. 33+ years youth ministry experience

YWJ: What do young leaders most need in order to succeed as they start out in youth ministry?

Chap Clark: They need at least four things:

1. Education that will prepare them for the rest of their ministries and an education that will stretch and move them beyond their current/historical experiences and convictions. Education is frightening, because by its very nature it is challenging to assumptions and the status quo; but it is also essential, because history has a way of reminding us that we never know all that we think we do.

2. A posture of asking questions instead of providing answers. Being a teachable sponge will go a long, long way in providing the data grounding you will need for your ministry and to give others the confidence that you want to grow.

3. A few mentors who will tell you the truth—and will be who you trust enough to listen to, even when you don't agree or don't want to hear what he or she has to say.

4. A disciplined commitment to Christ that spills over into a disciplined life. If in a parachurch organization, being active in a church where you are known and serve is essential; and if in a church, walking with people outside of your ministry is right up there (being in a small group with older folks and families that do not contribute to or even care about your ministry) and will help develop you as a follower of Christ first and a minister/youth worker second. Then sleeping, working and playing according to an adult schedule—such as getting up before 7 a.m., having regular time with the Lord, meeting people for breakfast at least two or three times a week, playing video games no more than an hour or two a week, working out and keeping up with bills (and parking tickets!) is all an expression of a disciplined, adult life.