3 Things to Remember as Youth Ministry Changes
This week Kurt and Josh took some time to talk about the changes that are constantly happening in youth ministry. Honestly ministry is always changing for those who work with students; if you don’t believe me wait until June when your seniors graduate and your ministry dynamic changes again. Today I want to share three things to remember as you encounter the changes in youth ministry.
Ministry is messy
I will never forget being in Bible College, sitting with my mentor for lunch and talking about how ministry is messy. It was tough to continue eating when he started talking about the Levitical law and how it was the job of the priest to be a go between God and man (think sacrifice).
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You will continue to have students who are broken
You will constantly be praying for God to work in students lives
You may have another disagreement with your pastor
Ministry will continue to be messy and navigating all of this becomes real messy real quick.
Ministry isn’t meant to be done alone
We were not meant to do ministry alone. Just today I was sitting with a fellow youth pastor having breakfast (and yes he paid) talking ministry. You have some great ideas you need to share with the guy down the street and he has some ideas that will help you grow in your leadership. Find some other youth pastors to encourage and talk ministry with.
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**NEW FREEBIE**
“Magnetic” A Sermon Series
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Ministry is worth it!
The daily grind may begin to wear on you but ministry is so worth it! Think about the students who have given their life to Christ at a camp you took them too. Remember the parents who started coming to your church because you invested in their child. Take some time to look back on the mission trip pictures and see what God used you to accomplish. Reflect on your life and how much God is working in you. Don’t stop; ministry is worth it!
What are some of the things that we all need to remember as youth ministry changes?
Conversation
The only constant in life is
The only constant in life is change. I hope youth ministers are never settled with the "status quo" or the "we've always done it that way" mentality. As the co-shapers of the next generation, we should constantly be evolving; personally and professionally. God remains God, while the earth continues to change around us. I hope we're always ready to offer a fresh expression for the Hope we have in Christ! great article, thanks.
We need to remember it's not
We need to remember it's not about us. It's about God's Kingdom and being responsive to the things he calls us to do to grow it here on earth. Whether that's a Christmas Carol singing flash mob (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vnt7euRF5Pg&feature=player_embedded#!) at the mall or a prayer breakfast and bible study on Wednesday morning at Chik-Fil-A with your student leaders. It's all about Him.
We need to remember it's not
We need to remember it's not about us. It's about God's Kingdom and being responsive to the things he calls us to do to grow it here on earth. Whether that's a Christmas Carol singing flash mob (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vnt7euRF5Pg&feature=player_embedded#!) at the mall or a prayer breakfast and bible study on Wednesday morning at Chik-Fil-A with your student leaders. It's all about Him.
We also need to remember that
We also need to remember that parents love their children immensely. As they become teens, the relationship changes and they sometimes struggle in how to relate with one another. We can be an effective voice for both "sides".
The need for relationships
The need for relationships will never change. Teens 25 years ago and teen today still crave acceptance and love (wait that may be ALL humans regardless of age!) :)
Teens from the youth group years ago always seem to remember a special moment rather than a specific lesson.
Blessings,
Paul
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