Sid Koop on Passing Faith to the Next Generation, the Power of Mentors, and How Lead Pastors Can Champion Their Youth Teams
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Jason is joined for this week's episode by his good friend Sid Koop. Sid is the Executive Director of Youth Worker Community and has spent over 20 years in youth ministry as a pastor, camp speaker, and professor.
In their conversation, Jason and Sid dive into all things youth ministry, exploring the current state of youth in our churches and how churches are best reaching young people. They talk about the role of the youth pastor and how it can act as both a development role for a future position, but also as committed calling for long term service. Sid highlighted that one of the greatest ways pastors can approach youth pastor roles, is to see it as being centered on equipping and developing volunteers. Whether young and energetic, or more seasoned and less “cool”, great youth pastors develop great volunteers who can invest in the lives of young people.
Sid also shared the background of how he ended up in youth ministry and why he has stayed committed to the space for so long. He really feels called to train and equip church leaders to faithfully lead young people well and he has seen the power of collaboration as he now travels, coaches, and consults across the country. Jason acknowledges how Sid carries a conviction and seriousness around the urgency of the work he does and Sid explains about how that was birthed from the experience of losing his dad at a young age. He sees the need and also acknowledges the short time he has to steward in this life and wants to invest it the best he can.
Whether you are a Lead Pastor, Youth Pastor, Volunteer, or Seniors Minister, we trust that you will be enlivened to contend for the next generation after hearing this interview. Enjoy!
Sid Koop
From camp speaker to local youth pastor to youth ministry professor, Sid Koop draws from a deep well of experience over a couple decades. He is the Executive Director of Youth Worker Community where he and his team are dedicated to filling in the gaps for youth workers by equipping, empowering, and supporting youth workers to help the next generation know Jesus.
Sid has a Masters in Youth and Family Ministries and is currently working on his Doctor of Ministry in Emerging Generations at Gordon-Conwell Seminary.