joys of youth ministry

After the sponsor meeting, I called M. I encouraged her to start a Print Media ministry. Their primary task would be to provide print media resources to the existing ministries (Soul Purpose, Undignified, Broken Strings, and Youth Group). Their secondary task would be to facilitate events, ie: "selling" tickets, ushering, folding and stapling programs, etc.

Towards this end, I encouraged her to go to the Willowcreek Arts Conference in June. They have a variety of workshops and speakers for different aspects of art, including print media.

As I continued to encourage her, I realized that M needed to serve more in general. I got into talking about the Youth Group, and for the first time in a long while, I wasn't venting about it.

When you first start working with you, it's extremely difficult and unharrowing. It's like this for the first year or 2 as you get settled in and get a feel for how things work and as you begin building relationships. I'm sure this is different for everyone, but my year of hitting the stride was this year. I've learned a lot of lessons from the previous two years which really came in to play.

The main thing about Youth Ministry is that it is so rewarding. They are very slow rewards, but just like all good things in life, the best takes time. Much like aged wine, Youth Ministry takes some time to ferment and come into its prime. Every year, new grapes come in and you have to mash them and pound them. At first, it's kind of sour, not many rewards. You feel like everything that you're trying to do has no impact or no effect. You feel like all your words fall deaf on these closed ears. And you feel like you know nothing about any of your kids.

As the years progress and you think that there's no point in any of your efforts; BOOM! God surprises you and drops all his blessings on you. All of a sudden, these young kids, are young adults. These kids, who once stumbled around to find God, suddenly meet Him for real and their lives are inexcplicably changed. That's when you know that it's all been worth it.

Despite all the heartache. Despite all the politics. Despite everything. It's worth it. I would not give up Youth Ministry for anything else in the world. Youth Ministry is the main reason why I'm still at this church and no matter what happens, I won't leave it.

I can't begin to describe the immense joy that I get from my kids. I love them to death and I'd do anything for them. I'd run out at midnight to bring some wires to one of them in my PJs. I'd miss my favorite TV shows to talk to them. I'd miss lunch to spend time with them.

Nothing can compare to seeing these kids grow up. To watch them struggle through their teen years and then to finally find God. To see them go from being one of your kids to becoming a leader and possibly even a sponsor some day. To build relationships that will last a lifetime. Nothing compares to first being their teacher and then becoming their friend.

I love my kids. I love Youth Ministry.