Do Youth Pastors Have Authority Over Teens?

by Van Robison

First, let it be said that in the New Testament there is no such function as "youth pastor" ever mentioned. There is certainly nothing wrong with young people getting together, and having wholesome fun activities that young people love to enjoy. On the other hand, to place teenagers "under authority" to so-called youth pastors can be an affront to parents. Teaching and rearing children is the God-given responsibility of parents, including spiritual education. When my two daughters were teenagers, they were involved in a non-denominational, charismatic type church in which they engaged in youth activities and teachings under the "authority" of a youth pastor. Admittedly they made some good friendships, enjoyed fun times and fellowship. On the other hand, as parents my wife and I were frustrated with the idea that the "youth pastor" considered himself as their spiritual authority and teacher. This was cause for some friction and confrontation that we think should have been unnecessary. As parents, we do not consider any "youth pastor" as the spiritual teacher or spiritual authority over our teens.

Some youth pastors are not married and some do not have children, and consequently still have a great deal to learn themselves about children and young people. In life, it seems that society thinks it is the responsibility of everyone to have authority over children, and to make decisions about children that rob parents of their God-given responsibilities to rear their own children. Medical doctors want to take control over health issues, schools (whether public or private) think they are the "authority" in the lives of children, and "youth pastors" think they are supposed to have "spiritual authority" over teens. Parents seem to be shoved aside as if somehow God made a mistake, and the real responsibility for children rests with everyone except the parents. I no more think that mandatory vaccinations for children is the right of the medical system or government, than I do that schools have the right to indoctrinate our children with social engineering and a great deal of junk. No less do I consider "youth pastors" as authorities over teens. Parents have been relegated to the back seat, while all the "authorities", both secular and religious, take the front seat. It is a perversion of God's creation in life. God didn't create children and youth pastors, or children and schools, or children and medical doctors and their drugs to rule over children. God created Adam and Eve to multiply and have children, with the responsibility to raise the children placed upon the parents.

We have become so far removed from common sense and God that we have lost all sensibilities. Our drug-crazed society has enforced chemical vaccines upon the whole child population of the world, all in the name of "health", even though the repercussions and side effects have physically and mentally destroyed the lives of countless children the world over. For anyone uninformed you might like to check out www.909shot.com -- The National Vaccine Information Center, and also www.mercola.com -- Dr. Mercola's website, which are only two of many, many sources that warn parents of the potential dangers of vaccines. Additionally, our society has in barbaric fashion forced many young children onto drugs such as Ritalin and other mind-control drugs that are hellish. It is not difficult for anyone to seek out answers about our drug drunk world and learn the truth about our chemical dependent society. The medical monopoly in the United States is a business industry, and like it or not, vaccines, drugs, and many orthodox medical practices are geared to $$$profits, not wellness or health.

The origin of youth pastors is not Biblical, and the whole concept of youth pastors from my perspective is one that robs parents of their God-given responsibilities to their children, and causes young people to look to someone other than their own parents as "authority." I consider it anti-family. In the beginning God did not create "churches", "pastors", "youth pastors", human governments, organizations, institutions, or many other things that are man-made. God created the family. Not only has the secular world destroyed the family unit in many ways, but so also have the churches. Did Jesus Christ ever intend that hundreds or thousands of women sit in pews and be taught by a male celebrity preacher who thinks he has a "women's ministry", and cause women to look to the preacher, instead of their own husbands? It is no less ridiculous for teens to look to "youth pastors" as their spiritual father or mother instead of their own parents. Spiritual abuse?