Ep. 5: Maturing, Not Mature

Welcome back to the 5 Minute Youth Ministry Coach — your quick encouragement and equipping to help you serve students faithfully and fruitfully.

 

In this episode, we’re tackling a tension every youth leader feels: what do you do when students just don’t seem to “get it”? Maybe they take one step forward and two steps back. Maybe they’re inconsistent, immature, or all over the place spiritually. 

 

Here’s your reminder: our goal isn’t perfection — it’s progress. We’re walking with students who are maturing, not already mature.

 

We unpack three key truths: First, spiritual growth is gradual and rarely linear — students develop at different paces, and their faith journey is full of ups, downs, and detours. Second, we must hold high standards while offering abundant grace — discipleship involves calling students up, not out, and coaching them through their blind spots with patience. And third, we’re reminded to feed what we want to grow — celebrating spiritual effort, obedience, and heart transformation more than just external behavior. 

 

As youth leaders, we’re not judges. We are shepherds. And God is more patient with their process than we are.

 

👥 Volunteer Takeaway:

You’re not leading finished products — you’re walking with students in process. Stay faithful, keep showing grace, and trust that God is shaping something deeper than what you can see right now. Nurture growth, don’t demand it. Your consistency and compassion might be the very thing God uses to move them one step closer to Jesus.