Tending the Teen Flock: Ron Short Doesn’t Sweat Long Odds

As the first official youth director of , Ron Short has his work cut out. He plans on teaching the usual things, like the significance behind Christian rituals, and connecting the kids with mentors.

But his first goal is increasing the meager attendance in youth programs.

“I had three students, and it was on a Sunday,” Short said of his first day on the job. “I played games to get to know one another. I passed out Skittles and for each color I had a different question. The last question was when were you baptized and brought it back to the church.”

Short, who moved to La Mesa 18 months ago with wife Becky and daughters Madeline and Campbell, said St. Andrew’s in the past couldn’t really afford to pay anyone for this job. Instead, it relied on interns from Point Loma Nazarene University looking to fulfill graduation requirements.

But with many churches facing a decline in young-adult attendance, St. Andrew’s decided to seek Short’s professional assistance.

“I enjoy the energy and excitement that teenagers have, and their willingness to think new things,” said Short, who wants to get the youth involved with community activities outside church.

Before coming here, Short was pastoring in Rhode Island where he says his biggest gripe was not being able to spend time “outside of a building.”

“What you find in many churches is you just become an administrator—a manager of programs,” Short said. “That’s great stuff, but it didn’t leave anytime to be out on the street meeting people.”