Student leaders can be one of the greatest joys in youth ministry.
When students step up, influence their peers, and challenge others to follow Christ, it reminds us why we do what we do. Watching a student lead well can energize a ministry and inspire an entire group.
But sometimes the opposite happens.
Occasionally a student with influence begins leading others in the wrong direction. Instead of encouraging spiritual growth, they become a distracting or negative leader within the group.
When that happens, youth workers often feel frustrated, discouraged, and sometimes even tempted to distance themselves from that student.
But pushing them away is rarely the right answer.
Influential students—whether they lead well or poorly—still need leadership, guidance, and care.
So what should a youth worker do when a student leader starts influencing others in a negative way?
Here are three important steps.
1. Run Toward Them, Not Away from Them
The first instinct may be to pull away from a student who is causing problems. But if a student already feels disconnected, distance will only worsen the situation.
The key to turning a student around is a relationship.
Even if they resist you, continue pursuing the relationship. Meet with them. Talk with them. Send encouraging messages. Show up at their games or activities.
Let them know you care about them personally—not just their behavior.
Without a relationship, you lose influence. And without influence, it becomes almost impossible to guide them back toward healthy leadership.
Stay present, even when it feels uncomfortable.
2. Invest in Their Circle of Influence
Students with negative influence rarely operate alone. Most have a close group of friends who follow their lead.
Instead of focusing only on the student leader, invest in the people around them.
Show interest in their friends. Attend their events. Encourage them. Build relationships with the entire group.
When you consistently demonstrate care and authenticity, those students begin forming their own opinions about you rather than relying on the narrative created by the negative leader.
Often the influence of the group can begin to shift the culture from the inside.
3. Be Patient with the Process
Teenagers are still developing emotionally, spiritually, and socially. Sometimes their negative behavior is connected to struggles at home, pressure at school, or unresolved pain.
Remember that students are a work in progress.
You may not see immediate change. In some cases, you may not see the full results during their time in youth ministry.
But faithfulness matters.
Your consistency, patience, and care may be planting seeds that grow later in life. God is often working behind the scenes in ways we cannot immediately see.
Your role is to stay faithful in the moment.
When Influence Becomes an Opportunity
A student who influences others negatively today may become a powerful leader tomorrow.
In fact, many strong adult leaders were once difficult students who needed someone to believe in them when they were struggling.
Youth workers have the unique opportunity to guide those students back toward healthy influence.
And when that happens, the transformation can impact an entire youth ministry.
Final Thought for Youth Workers
Negative student leaders can be discouraging, but they are also an opportunity for discipleship.
Run toward them.
Invest in their friends.
Be patient with their growth.
Because sometimes the students who challenge us the most are the ones God eventually uses the most.
Note: This post was updated in March 2026 to give you the most current information.
