How Studying Philosophy Made Me a Better Youth Pastor

When I started as a youth pastor and seminary student, I had aspirations of how my education would shape my approach to ministry. I looked forward to deepening my understanding of the Scriptures, theology, church history, and pastoral ministry so that I could teach deeply, grow in spiritual maturity, and serve my students well. I loved the idea of getting to share the things I was learning with students, so that they would be challenged and encouraged to dive deeper into their faith alongside me.

Little did I know that my educational journey would end in a field I never expected: philosophy. I know; it’s probably not exactly what comes to mind when you think, “Youth Pastor,” and to be honest, I questioned whether it was wise to pursue it from the start. Although it’s not the path most people entering youth ministry would take, it has profoundly shaped and uniquely prepared me for this calling. 

Here are several principles I have learned from my time studying graduate-level philosophy. 

Conviction: Stand on Your Beliefs

The subjects we studied in philosophy have strengthened my Christian beliefs. As we covered arguments for God’s existence, established criteria for knowledge claims, debated ethical issues, etc., I was amazed to find how robust the Christian worldview really is. Not only are there rich philosophical foundations on which to base our faith, but there are numerous resources that can be used to respond to objections, both from Scripture and natural law. It strengthened my confidence in the claims of the Bible. My beliefs are not only true, but defensible. 

In youth ministry, we often prioritize teaching students what to believe: the foundations of the faith. But what students often want (and need) is to know why they ought to believe it. Tools in philosophy (logic, argumentation, etc.) have helped me in this endeavor, enabling me to teach students the importance of having a rational faith, one that is both relevant to current cultural issues and capable of withstanding attacks from critics. Additionally, studying specific philosophical disciplines (metaphysics, ethics, science, etc.) has given me additional concepts and frameworks with which to teach central Christian doctrines like creation, the Trinity, and the Incarnation with conviction. 

Clarity: Present Ideas Well

Another helpful facet of studying philosophy is the emphasis on clarity in presenting your ideas. I can’t remember how many times a professor told me, “Edit this for clarity”, “Stay on topic”, “This doesn’t help your argument”, or “Don’t add all the fluff” when I submitted an assignment. In careful argumentation, the goal is to state your ideas clearly and effectively. You must learn to package your points together in such a way that the reader can follow your thoughts and learn what you want them to know. If you fail to be clear, you are not doing philosophy well.

In youth ministry, this has been so helpful in teaching students. When preparing a lesson for students, your goal should be to teach with clarity so that you will be understood. If you package your points in such a way that they aren’t easily understandable, then your students will struggle to grasp the point of the lesson. Learning to self-edit in teaching has been one of the greatest benefits for me, as I have learned to not just shoot for good content, but for clarity in presentation. In this way, instead of cramming as much into a lesson as possible, I can narrow my focus to what students can remember. 

Charity: Think the Best of Others

Because so much value was placed on effective argumentation and the presentation of ideas themselves, it became easier to find agreement with people from wildly different backgrounds. There was much more emphasis placed on assessing someone’s positions fairly, without fixating on their background or points of disagreement in other areas. In a sense, there is an ecumenical spirit in the world of philosophy, where common ground and charitable discussion are encouraged. There is an opportunity for mutual respect, dialogue, and unity, as you are challenged to think the best of others, even if you disagree with some of their arguments. 

This has been helpful in student ministry in two main ways: first, when addressing controversial subjects, I have seen the benefit of presenting multiple views charitably, avoiding negative stereotypes or mischaracterizations. This has fostered more honest and open discussion with students, as they learn to wrestle with views that may be difficult to comprehend, without settling for an overly reductionist approach. Second, it has helped me work with other pastors and volunteers by enabling me to distinguish ideas from the people who offer them. Ideas can be evaluated on their own merits, regardless of their source. This has been beneficial in navigating conflict, accepting valid criticism, and allowing for growth in cooperation with others.

Community: Learn and Grow Together

A final benefit during my time in a graduate philosophy program was discovering the importance of community in discipleship. The more I dove into big topics with other believers from different faith backgrounds, not only did I find myself challenged by them, but our relationships grew as we discussed, debated, and discovered deep truths in philosophy. Wrestling through difficult texts, articles, and debates together created a kinship that not only gave us an outlet for discussing our educational interests but also a group we could turn to for prayer, support, and encouragement. 

In student ministry, discipleship is often approached as a solo endeavor: how are individual students learning? Who is sensing a call to ministry? Who is a “leader?” We may not always see the benefit of challenging them to grow in discipleship together, to see how the community of faith is a gift from God that helps them look more like Christ. In large group teaching, worship services, small groups, D-groups, serve teams, at camps and retreats, our students need to see that not only has God surrounded them with other believers to encourage them, but to challenge them to pursue Him together. 

Calling: Use Your Giftings

I also learned to never underestimate how God can use my desires, talents, and giftings to pour into students. Philosophy is not what most youth pastors desire to study. It’s difficult, tedious, and can touch on subjects that sometimes seem too abstract to be helpful. Yet God has used it to shape me into a better pastor, father, student, and teacher. Through it, he has taught me to deepen my understanding of the Christian faith, to articulate and defend it more effectively, and to do so alongside other Christians. 

In your time in youth ministry, you may be discouraged from pursuing certain giftings you have because they don’t seem practical, applicable, or valuable for your vocation at the time. Can I encourage you? Sometimes God uses the surprising things in your life to make an impact in the lives of students. It may be a niche interest that brings you joy, a hobby that helps you connect with less engaged students, a skill you can use to produce things for your church, or a passion you can share with your own kids as you disciple them. Whatever your giftings, take the time to pursue them, cultivate them, and share them with others, and watch God use them for your good and His glory.