The Importance of a Youth Ministry Yoda in Your Life
Obi-Wan Kenobi, Yoda, Gandalf, Albus Dumbledore.
In just about every good story, the young hero has an older, wiser mentor; one who has traveled a similar journey at an earlier point. At a critical moment in the story, the hero consults the wise old sage for wisdom and encouragement in the journey. Hope is all but loss – the odds are against him – it looks impossible. The wise mentor shares some observations, a bit of wisdom and a few insider secrets only a mentor would know to help the young man on his journey. The hero now fully embraces his true calling and goes up against those odds to defeat the Dark Side, the fire-breathing dragon or The One Who Shall Not Be Named (Only a nerd like Josh would know the above stories well enough to use them in an analogy like this!).
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Wikipedia describes this wise character this way:
This type of character is typically represented as a kind and wise, older father-type figure that uses personal knowledge of people and the world to help tell stories and offer guidance that, in a mystical way, may impress upon his audience a sense of who they are and who they might become, thereby acting as a mentor.
You are a youth ministry hero. You are on a journey. And you need the wisdom of a mentor.
In the youth ministry journey there are ups, downs, traps, pitfalls and frustrations. To have access to a ministry Yoda or the wisdom of a former youth pastor is critical to your success. You need a wise old soul in your life. You need someone who is ready with his or her wisdom, counsel and sound judgment. Youth ministry is an adventurous journey that you shouldn’t attempt to navigate on your own.
It has been said that “Mentoring is God's way to lift another toward their full potential.” The Bible puts it this way, “Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others.” (Proverbs 12:15)
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BRAND NEW
Trinity Series by Josh Griffin
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You may be brand new, and your youth ministry adventure is just beginning. You may be facing some “enemies” that are trying to disrupt your path. You may be feeling lost and in need of guidance. Or you may feel like an unstoppable force who doesn’t need some old fart sharing stuff from the past that you don’t think is of any benefit to you and your future (you would be wrong, of course)!
Wherever you find yourself today, we hope you’ll consider the following:
• Pray that God will bring you a wise mentor
• Seek out someone with youth ministry experience who can coach you
• Listen to what they say
• Live out the adventure of youth ministry and fulfill your calling with them cheering you on!
Conversation
This article is so true even
This article is so true even still today for me. I have been in youth ministry for over 25 years and I still have a mentor that I go to for direction and wisdom. Having people like this in your life as a minister is a must.
Youth Ministry Yoda, I know
Youth Ministry Yoda, I know the feeling but this is the first time I've really had someone place the title properly. I am a 54 year old Dad who is deeply involved in the Youth Group at our church. I have a 17 year old son going to the youth group and an 18 year old daughter who just left the group having graduated from HS and now in College a bit away. Strangely enough I've always felt drawn to the youth group (even when my children were much younger and not members) and it was because I believed that I could share (appropriately) journey stops along the way in my life. I've literally felt the Lord pushing me to be involved. I step in every so often leading small groups and interjecting comments and opinions usually based on life lessens I've lived or observed. I am a supplement to the pastors (Senior Pastor (my age) and the younger Youth Pastor). I am not overbearing in doing so and I believe I have truly made a difference. I am the only parent who participates in this manner. One basic point, I have felt I am noticed and felt valued by the youth almost just because I am there and show by my presence that I care. Anything beyond that I feel the youth see as a bargain. I am a Caucasion serving in a Chinese Church in a Southern California community that is 70% Asian. My wife is Chinese and both our Children are Chinese adopted from China each at a very early age. I find myself imparting more of a measured (Midwestern Conservative (that's where I grew up)) approach to these stressed out Chinese American youth, a message about life and the relationship with the Lord they may not see or here in this community. A Yoda from beyond in a different fashion but neverthe less effective and long lasting. But overall I still feel the push and I accept from the Lord for this calling.
Exactly! For a Biblical
Exactly!
For a Biblical example of this very thing, look no further than the life of Mordecai and Esther. The whole book shows the importance of youth ministry and what is often at stake.
Great thoughts! Keep them coming!
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