I was originally gonna go to college and major in youth ministry, and I've been counting on that as I search at colleges and stuff, but I decided recently that I want to go to seminary and get a Child, Youth, and Family masters instead of a bachelor's degree. It'll follow my doctrine more closely and give me more options.

The thing is, though, that when you major in that kind of field in seminary, they don't want you to major in religion or theology or sumthing like that. I do need a bachelors degree though. I'm trying to think of possible majors that would help increase my leadership skills or knowledge of working with teenagers and stuff.

I think I want to minor in music, but I'm not sure what I want to major in. Here's a few ideas I've thought of:
-Psychology
-Sociology
-Social Work

Got any other ideas of things that might help me prepare for working with youth without focusing on the religious aspect of things?

Education is always good. My youth minister got his bachelor's degree in education and then worked as a teacher while he went to Seminary and got his degree in youth ministry.

One question: Is it against your denomination's doctrine to have a woman in a ministerial position? At my church, we don't allow women to preach, lead worship, or do youth ministry, but they can do anything else. Just wondering.

Also, what led you to this decision? It's interesting. Do you feel called to this profession?

Hmmm, maybe education would be a fun temporary and backup career plan. Elementary ed or something... I don't think I could do high school, lol. I can barely retain this stuff as a student let alone teach it. =P

It's not against my doctrine, as a lutheran, to be a youth pastor or for that matter a pastor in general. I really feel strongly that women should be able to lead in the church because I feel called to specifically be a youth minister. I know that's what God has in store for me. I've had people tell me ever since I was little that I had a way with other children. That's grown into a way with kids/teens of all ages. I really feel blessed by this gift, and God lead this strong sense of calling into my life a few years ago. I'm sure of it, and I havn't been confused at all as to what I should be doing with my life in that respect.

Anywho, thanks for the suggestion! I'll have to think about it... I've still got 2 years, lol.  

Okay...that's cool! My boyfriend thought that he was called to be a youth minister, but it turns out that he's actually called to be a pastor...it just scares him!

Good luck and if you have any questions, let me know.

Well I'm sure God will help him get over his fears.

Sometimes I've debated if God is calling me in that path and if it's just my lack of interest in preaching and working mainly with adults that ignores it, but I'm pretty sure that he's calling me in this direction. I havne't discerned all his plans for me yet, but there's plenty of time for that, and I know they won't all be revealed to me all at once... God doesn't work that way, lol.

Thanks!

Just keep following Him. You're doing great!

I talked to my youth minister about this last night and he recommended that you spend some time reading Titus, 1 Timothy, and 2 Timothy. It may give you some insight on what God is calling you to be.

Those books are meant to teach about the functions of pastors (says bishops in there) and other leaders in the church. They also outline who can do what, as far as men are concerned. I hope they are of help to you.

Okay cool. Thanks.

Just so you know though, I'm a stubborn German (and Lutheran), so I'm not going to change my personal decisions as to the role of women in the church.    I'll definately still check em out tho!

My background is German too, so I know what you mean. I am just giving you some Biblical insight. Who knows? Maybe God will lead you in a direction you never thought of that is similar to the role of a pastor or youth pastor. There are so many roles in the church I can't even keep them all straight! Good luck, chica!

Another possibility for a major I've recently been considering is philosophy... not that it matters to ya'll lol, but I figured I'd post that for the heck of it. =P

I really like to think deeply about all sorts of aspects of life, so it might be fun to have in my background

That would be really cool. I once took a class called Entrepreneurship and we did a lot of that b/c our teacher was a Philosophy major in college. lol

coolio! Yeah, my cuz is a philosophy minor, and I've read some of his papers. It's really interesting. The only part that sucks, is that it's easy to write about philosophy so the profs give out 25-30 page essay assignments.

Wow........25-30 pages! That is like a senior thesis and my school!

ditto.