A Youth Pastor that sees…

Three simple perspectives to help reinvigorate your passion for leading.

A youth pastor should never have their head down. Eyes up. Always looking—looking for God’s next move, looking for the needs of their people, looking for the bigger picture of where the ministry is headed. If you’re leading with your head down, you might miss it.

Ministry isn’t about just getting through another Wednesday night, planning another game, or giving another lesson. It’s about seeing—seeing where God is moving, seeing the hearts of your students, and seeing the bigger vision He has for your ministry.

Let’s talk about three things every youth pastor should be looking for.

1. Seeing the Direction of Your Ministry and Leading People to It

A youth ministry without vision is like a road trip without a map. Sure, you might still have fun, but you won’t know where you’re going—or how to get there.

Where is God leading your ministry? Are you just maintaining or actually moving forward? A youth pastor with vision is always thinking ahead, preparing for growth, and leading students toward a deeper faith. That might mean developing a discipleship plan, raising up student leaders, or creating a culture of worship and prayer.

If you don’t know where you’re headed, your students won’t either. Lift your eyes and ask God, What’s next?

2. Seeing the Needs of Your People and Speaking to Them

If all you see is the calendar and the to-do list, you’re missing what’s right in front of you—your students’ struggles, questions, and spiritual hunger.

A youth pastor who truly “sees” is paying attention. You notice the student who’s withdrawing, the one who always cracks jokes to cover their pain, the one who’s wrestling with faith but doesn’t know how to ask. And when you see these things, you respond. You don’t just preach generic sermons—you speak to real struggles, real doubts, and real hopes.

Jesus was a master at this. He saw the needs of people and met them exactly where they were. That’s the kind of leader your students need.

3. Seeing the Hand of God and Celebrating It

It’s easy to get caught up in what’s not happening. Maybe attendance is down, volunteers are scarce, or the energy isn’t what it used to be. But are you seeing what God is doing?

That one student who is growing in faith? That leader who stepped up unexpectedly? The breakthrough moment in worship last week? God is moving. Always. And as a leader, you set the tone. If you celebrate what God is doing, your students will start looking for Him too.

Take time to acknowledge and thank God for what you do see. Gratitude shifts the atmosphere.

The Best Part? God Sees Too.

Here’s what’s cool—you’re not the only one watching.

God sees you. He sees your struggles, your sacrifices, and your prayers that no one else knows about. He sees your students, their brokenness, their growth, and their potential. And He’s guiding you through it all.

When you look to Him, He will reveal what you need to see. So, eyes up, pastor. Keep looking, keep leading, and keep trusting the One who sees it all.

I’d love to celebrate what you see… shoot me an email or comment below!