Adults serving in youth ministry serve a critical role of both mentor and companion to youth. Youth crave authentic relationships with adults where they are known and loved. And they want to know and love adults. At the same time, the potential vulnerability of youth means that the adults who serve in youth ministry must be able to be authentic and present in ways that prioritize the youth needs, not adult needs.

Safe Adults

• Congregations should have a code of ethics for adults in leadership
• Congregations should screen adults and train adults
• Serving in youth ministry is a privilege, not a right; not all adults are appropriate leaders for youth ministry

Present Adults

• Adults need to be able to be present and part of the group even when not “in charge”
• Adults must be able to share genuinely, without oversharing from their past or present
• Know which conversations and physical activities to step into and which to step out of
• Be able to be in youth-adult partnership

Healthy Adults

• Take care of their own needs
• Grounded in their UU identity and their theology
• Fill their spiritual wells and are able to articulate their spiritual practices to the youth

Resources

• Webinar on Healthy Youth Adult Relationships