Youth Pastor Wanted...

Ok... before I'm perceived as trying to be clever or picking on a particular style of youth ministry or playing games with words, this post is genuinely about something I'm learning.

I've been a youth programmer for over 15 years. I've been privileged to run some of the most exciting programs for students in the church; outreach events for hundreds, evangelism training classes, a layered small group ministry with dozens of leaders and coaches, and mission trips around the world. I've seen numerical growth and spiritual growth and lives really touched by Jesus Christ. But could I say that I've also been a youth pastor?

Being a youth pastor is about more than Biblical teaching, missional leadership, creative purpose-driven events and keeping in line with the elders. Being a youth pastor is more than clear parent communication, showing up at times of trial, mobilizing a healthy volunteer team and being a Christ-like example. All of these are important, event critical, to maintaining a healthy youth ministry but I'm discovering that being a youth pastor (or a pastor of any kind) is about something even more important.

I'm discovering that being a pastor is about shepherding the flock entrusted to my care. Like a good shepherd, my job is to care for people; to feed them, protect them, carry them, guide them, corral them, retrieve them and (like a good shepherd) live with them. My job is to care for the flock and for each individual sheep, keeping count regularly. For the majority of my ministry I did many of these things by accident. Kids would show up at my house, raid the refrigerator and lounge on my couch. I would have conversations with confused and hurting students who approached me after a weekend service. I would receive a pastoral call for a student in the hospital or even jail and drop in for a visit and prayer. I would be asked for attendance figures and reluctantly fill out a report form.

However, lately, I've been asking myself what it would look like for me to be a proactive shepherd. What would it look like if I counted my sheep by name and face? What would it look like to show up at their homes and lives before they were in need? How could I identify a needing and hurting student before their world crumbled? What would it look like to be their guardian and defender against both physical and spiritual threats? What would it look like to feed my sheep with living messages communicated every day outside the walls of my church?

I don't have all the answers to these questions but this next year I want to be a pastor and I am committed to becoming the pastor God has called me to be.

Problems don't take breaks

This Christmas, more than ever, I've become aware that problems don't take breaks. Schools take breaks. Ministries take breaks. (We typically take two weeks off the honor our volunteers and encourage family time for students and parents.) Offices have holidays. Families take vacation. But problems don't typically relent.
This is the time of year when kids' minds are naturally turned toward family, memories, tradition, mystery and excitement. In the midst of these anticipations, the troubles of life seem to take on a darker hue in contrast. Division and divorce overshadow memories of mom and dad getting along and images borrowed from old photographs. Transition replaces tradition in the move from a home of memories to an affordable apartment. Bullies beat up the wonder and mystery of the God's story and stuff kids into the mold of the immediate; the here and now of troubles and trials.
This is the reality for many of my middle school students this Christmas. And for many of these same students, our weekly ministry is their bright spot. It's the caffeinated encouragement that they need to keep moving each week. While our two week break is necessary and even healthy, it does have it's downside.
But that too reminds me that ministry doesn't just happen on Wednesday nights between 6:30 and 7:30. Ministry is what happens when a volunteer sends a quick hand-written Christmas card. Ministry is a phone call from a small group leader saying, "even through we don't have youth group, I'm still thinking about you." Ministry is a text message that says, "you are special... I'm praying for you this Christmas." Ministry is dropping off a secret Santa gift to the kids who serve on the tech team or welcome team or set-up/clean-up team.
This Christmas, don't let your ministry take a break.

which Gospel do I share?

I listened to a volunteer share the gospel recently. While I'm excited that my volunteers are courageous and enthusiastic to share their faith, I was concerned about the Gospel they shared. He suggested to our student that Jesus would help the student be a better student, a better kid and find greater joy in life. Essentially, he confused two key theologies; justification and sanctification.
Justification is the point at which we are made right before God, applying the work of Jesus Christ to my sinful nature.
Sanctification is the process by which we are made more righteous before God, applying the work of the Holy Spirit to my sinful nature.
We cannot experience a true sanctification without the work of justification.
Justification makes us new. Sanctification renews us daily.
Justification takes us from lost to found, dead to alive, enemy to child of God.
Sanctification takes us from sinful to less sinful, me-like to Christ-like, worldly to godly.
Justification is the work of Christ on the Cross.
Sanctification is the work of the Holy Spirit in me.
My confidence is found in Justification.
My evidence is found in Sanctification.
Justification is about turning from sin and turning toward Christ.
Sanctification is about turning my sinful nature into a spirit-led nature.
Justification without Sanctification is arrogance.
Sanctification without Justification is false confidence.

We must preach a Gospel of Justification, of turning from sin and toward our Savior. We must avoid all the promises that come with sanctification until the person understands the promise of justification. Jesus is not an add-on that will make our life better, He is the answer that will bring us life. We must communicate a Gospel in which sin is not simply forgiven or overlooked but completely payed for by the blood of Jesus Christ. We must communicate our need for a Savior that has paid our penalty, not a spirituality that paves our way.

So... which Gospel do you share?

The job of a father

We need to teach our daughters to distinguish between

a man who flatters her and a man who compliments her ....

a man who spends money on her and a man who invests in her ....

a man who views her as property and a man who views her properly .....

a man who lusts after her and a man who loves her .....

a man who believes he is God's gift to women and a man who remembers a woman was God's gift to man.

-TB

What is modeled in my ministry?

If a student were to walk into my ministry and hear nothing... what would they understand our values to be? In other words, what is modeled in our ministry? We all know that experience is a better teacher than lecture... so what experience are we providing students and would would they believe is most important according to that experience? Games? Fun? Candy? Listening?

What would it look like if we applied the truths we teach to our actual ministry environments?
What if instead of talking about studying the Bible and the importance of a quiet time, we just provided a quiet place to have one?
What would happen if instead of talking about prayer, we actually spent an evening just praying for one another?.. one-on-one, in groups, as a group, individually?
What if we didn't just ask kids to honor their parents but instead invited them to be present each week and engaged in the lives of their kids?
What if the value of family meant that moms and dads were encouraged and empowered to spiritually guide their kids' small groups?
What might be produced if instead of talking about serving we got into vans or buses and found someone to bless?
Whose life and eternity might be changed if instead of talking about outreach or evangelism, we went out to meet our friends instead of staying inside the church?

What would our ministry look like if we actually did what we ask students to do?

I've been really challenged by this thought. I'd love to hear your thoughts on other ways we could actually practice what we preach within the context of our weekly ministry.

3-2-1

As a young youth pastor, I always looked for the newest hook or trend or trick to growing a big youth ministry. After some time I realized that such a secret didn't exist in any of the current books or seminars or conferences but in the fundamental truths of Scripture.

For example, prayer changes things.
I began to ask myself, "how can we increase the priority of prayer in our ministry?"
After a lot of thinking I decided to pray about it and ask God the same question. (Funny huh?)
Here's what He gave us: 3-2-1.

Each night of ministry, we ask our volunteers to do three things;
Learn three new names. (If your group is smaller, three new things about your students)
Have two significant conversations. (Get beyond the small talk. Have an intentional conversation starting question in your pocket at all times.)
Pray with one student. (This is HUGE! It models prayer, communicates the value of both prayer and that student, demonstrates the priority to others and invites the blessing of God into that student's life.)

It's simple. It's doable. It's measurable. It's effective.
When our leaders began to own this mission in our ministry a lot changed. Leaders began to reconnect with those students for follow-up. Students showed up with greater regularity. Attendance increase... a lot! Students lives, homes and eternities began to change. God showed up.

Spongebob & attention sp...

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20110912/D9PMU9JG0.html

SpongeBob causes attention problems in 4 year olds? Really?
Here's what the study suggests.
"The problems were seen in a study of 60 children randomly assigned to either watch "SpongeBob," or the slower-paced PBS cartoon "Caillou" or assigned to draw pictures. Immediately after these nine-minute assignments, the kids took mental function tests; those who had watched "SpongeBob" did measurably worse than the others."

So does the fact that I've enjoyed SpongeBob for quite a while means that I too have a short atten

When the tide comes in...praying for other churches

You know the old saying, "When the tide come in, all the ships rise"?
It's true. That's why we see four gas stations on a corner and fast food restaurants built nearly on top of one another. While there is some sense of competition, they also feed off one another's success. I think the church can take this concept to a whole new level.

Tonight, my friend Ryan kicks off his middle school program. His church is literally across the street and attracts quite a few kids, including some who attend my church on the weekends with their parents. Down the street a little further my buddy Bruce and his new MS guy Grant are preparing to kick off their Club56 program that is also enjoyed by a number of kids who typically attend my church on the weekend.

Because I've grown to love these guys and appreciate their programs, I pray for them regularly. I as God to bless their ministries, marriage and home. I pray that God will allow them to reach kids that I can't, won't or don't. I pray that their programs become a buzz in the local middle schools that make kids want to go to church. And then... I back up my prayers by sending them great kids and families (not the angry, critical church hoppers) who are looking for something a little different than what we provide. On occasion I've even sent them great volunteers who can't seem to fit our program into their schedules. I call them and ask them how I can pray and how my prayers were answered. Just yesterday I even called them up to ask for some volunteer support for an event coming up at our church.

So here's the challenge as we begin this new ministry year:

Do you know the other youth ministries and youth pastors in your area?
Are you willing to pray for God's blessing for them?
Are you willing to share families, students and volunteers?
Are you willing to partner with them to reach kids for Christ?

When the tide comes in all the ships rise.

Never lets go...

Early this week I went on a walk with my 3 year-old daughter. She loves it when I toss her up on my shoulders and bounce as we walk. While she giggles contagiously there is always just a bit of fear that causes her grab hold of my ears, eye sockets or the little bit of hair that I still have.
As I bounced and she grabbed I paused and said, "Baby, you don't have to hold onto me, I will hold onto you. You won't fall, I promise. I've got you. I love you. I won't let you go."
At this she let up her grip and put her hands out wide and said her her giggly, silly little voice, "okay!"

As I reflected on our walk and exchange I though about how this mirrors our relationship with God. He want to take us on a journey that is full of fun as well as fear. Yet, no matter how scary the journey might get, He won't let us go. Whether we squeeze and press in or throw our arms in the air... He won't let us go.

John 6:37-40 says,
"All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.”

John 10:27-30 says,
"My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one."

I was reminded of these verses yesterday at the funeral celebration of a boy in our church who took his own life. He loved Jesus and followed Him faithfully yet, in a moment of fear, let go. I thank God that He never lets go of us. Amen.

Things I wish someone told me before going into ministry

As a youth ministry veteran of over 15 years one of my greatest joys and privilege is to train up younger youth pastors. Some of my favorite relationships have come through Judson University's practicum program. One of the first things I ask a youth practicum student is "Why do you want to be a youth pastor?" The answers I get are fun, innocent, deep and at times comical. My biggest concern is for those who desire to do ministry because it's fun or exciting or something like it. Ministry is tough. So to help a young person understand the weight of ministry and the solemnity of their desire, I put together this simple list of things I wish I knew before going into ministry.

1. Be authentic. Nobody expects you to be perfect, to have all the answers or to be available all the time. Be willing to say things like, “I can’t,” “I don’t know,” and “I’m sorry.”
2. Learn to love God’s Word. MEMORIZE IT.
3. Know-it-alls make lousy pastors. “Knowledge puffs up but love builds up” – 1 Cor. 8:14.
4. There are no “youth pastors” in the Bible… just pastors. Pastor the whole church, not just your target, friends, people of influence or those who are easy.
5. Teaching is not for the smart, eloquent or educated… but for the humble, authentic and pure. (James 3:1)
6. You’re never as smart or clever as you think you are. God’s word doesn’t need a new twist, a silly video, a pop song or a hip translation – just someone with the guts to teach it, live it and get out of the way.
7. Work hard, pray harder.
8. The devil hates you. Expect spiritual opposition, oppression and obstacles. This is a spiritual battle, not an intellectual, social, political or physical one.
9. Your family is your first ministry. Great husbands and fathers make great pastors; great pastors don’t always make great husbands or fathers. This is one of the top qualifications for pastoral ministry, (1 Tim. 3:4-5).
10. Take a day off and don’t let anyone rob you of your Sabbath. Even God took a break. If you fail to get this straight, you’ll be miserable, unfruitful and short-term.
11. Don’t get bogged down in administration, technology or politics. These are subtle time wasters. Lean on the strengths of others to do what you don’t have to. Focus on the three “P’s,” People, Prayer & Preaching.
12. You can’t make everyone happy – don’t even try. If you ever find that everyone in your ministry is happy, you’ve done something seriously wrong.
13. Ministry (like life) is messy. Don’t cover it up or clean it up.
14. Jesus is our model for life and ministry, not Andy Stanley, Bill Hybels, Rick Warren, Doug Fields or anybody else with a cool ministry, book or seminar.
15. Criticism is good meat… even bad criticism: don’t refuse it, chew on it and don’t let anyone see you spit out the fat in your napkin.
16. Don’t compare ministries. Keep your eyes on your own field. The grass isn’t greener in any other field… if it is, there’s a reason – fertilizer. Be grateful for your own crap too.
17. Ask for help as often as you can. Always ask the “4-P’s” - parents, pastors, professors and professionals.
18. READ!!!
19. Give people the benefit of the doubt… don’t assume the worst.
20. Set your bar high for leadership. Willingness and availability are NOT core characteristics of a good volunteer. Few saints in Scripture were actually willing when God called.
21. God will never ask you to do something you can do. If you feel up for the challenge, say no. Go sell cars, insurance or something else.
22. Never preach something you don’t practice. If you can’t learn to practice what you know you ought to preach… don’t preach.
23. Keep it simple. Things always take twice as much time, money and effort and will rob you of real opportunities with real people.
24. Leave room for interruptions and crisis. If you don’t need the time… pray.
25. Work hard to know the names of the people you serve. Pray by name.
26. Never point out a problem without providing a solution. If you don’t have a solution, shut up and pray.
27. Speak the truth in love. The wounds of a friend can be trusted but even friends need to be gentle.
28. Leave room for the work of the Holy Spirit. Know when to shut up, walk away and pray.
29. Pay extra attention to the quiet people. Contentment is a sign of spiritual maturity.
30. Be passionate about your own purity. Find a good accountability partner who is willing to go toe-to-toe and force you to do what’s right. Don’t lie to him or her… EVER.
31. Parenting is tough. Don't pretend to have all the answers. Most of the time a parent just needs a listening ear, a compassionate heart and for you to pray with them. If you don't have kids, find someone who does and lean into them for wisdom, direction and support.

Even still, this list continues to grow. If you're a youth ministry veteran I'd love to hear what you might add to it.

God bless!

Holy & Common

Have we lost sight of the concept of Holy and common in our youth ministries?
Is there a place for the sacred without our youth ministries?

I was reading in Ezekiel this morning and ran across this verse in 22:26.

"Her priests do violence to my law and profane my holy things; they do not distinguish between the holy and the common; they teach that there is no difference between the unclean and the clean; and they shut their eyes to the keeping of my Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them."

Is there anything sacred in my youth ministry?
Is there anything that we do weekly to communicate that stepping into the church, coming into the presence of God and gathering with the Body of Christ is wholly and Holy different than anything else we might do?
Do students leave with a sense that they have been in the presence of God?... or just godly people?

What would it look like to teach Holiness?... to create a Holy environment for our students?

inaugural post

Did you know that Jesus did middle school ministry before his public adult ministry?

Mark 1:13
and he was in the desert forty days, being tempted by Satan.
He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.