ministry milestones

How many youth pastors enter ministry saying they are "lifers?" How many actually make it?
Regardless of whether one makes it a lifetime, there are some milestones along the way that make the journey so much sweeter.


18 months... the traditional average a youth pastor stays at a particular church. This isn't hard to beat today but it's still a milestone. It says you've learned how to follow instructions, work well with others, shows up on time and basically do your job. It means you've made it through a review or two and have proved worth keeping... or at least not worth the headache of letting go. The key to making it this far is healthy relationships with your pastor, boards, parents, volunteers and especially the church secretary. 3 years... the amount of time it takes for a ministry to be truly yours. You may be calling all the shots until this point but the reality is half your group is still thinking "I liked the way (insert predecessor's name here) did it." At the 3 year mark you also earn the right to BBQ some sacred cows; the New Year's Eve all niter, three different Sunday school classes each week, the puppet ministry and the hand-me-down couches in the youth lounge that still smell like the sixties (the group, not the decade). But don't get overconfident, you still can't touch confirmation, the denominational winter retreat or the the old couple with the slide projector that comes every year on missions Sunday. These are institutions that have outlasted a lineage of youth pastors before you. Be patient. That's the key to making it this far. Don't get too big for your britches. People like you. Enjoy the favor and learn how to build greater trust.


 5 years in the same church... the amount of time it takes to become an expectation. There's something special about having whole families pass through your ministry. It's so cool to hear a younger sibling say how excited they are to finally be in middle school with pastor (your name here). When little sibs look forward to participating in the activities and events you initiated, you'll want to be there too. It also takes at least five years in the same place to be privileged to conduct your former student's weddings, baby dedications and important family celebrations. The key to making it this far is consistency. Showing up day after day and year after year consistently caring makes people imagine their special moments with you as a part of them.


10 years... the amount of time it takes to be considered a veteran. This means that younger guys and girls will seek you out for wisdom and advice and that you actually have something to share with them... granted you've actually thought about why you do what you do and put yourself in a place where younger youth workers can fine you. I've learned that most young youth workers are courageous and bold on the outside but overwhelmed and confused on the inside. They've been hired as "youth experts" or pastors with very little experience, diversity or training. They step into a role where numerical growth becomes the goal, spiritual growth becomes the excuse (for not growing numerically) and professional growth gets ignored. Just like a young believer, young youth workers need to be mentored and coached, encouraged and supported. There's a junior high guy named Bruce McEvoy in Geneva, IL that tought me about this most. He's been there for nearly two decades and oozes student ministry. He showed me that this mentor role is one of the most fulfilling, fun and personally helpful roles I get to play as a veteran youth pastor. I learn so much as I come along side of a younger colleague. It often forces me to examine my ministry and ask if what I'm doing is really godly, biblical and healthy. Too often I discover that I don't have a good reason why I do what I do... or that my reason is selfish or lazy. Seasons of reflection and sharing with ministry peers helps bring this type of refinement out. The key to making it this far is being deliberate. We must be deliberate about the things we do, the places we go, the groups we join, the conferences we attend and the pace we keep. Good things and growth don't happen by accident.


15 years... the amount of time it takes to stop thinking of students and start thinking of them as kids. Ministry changes when you become a parent. Ministry changes again when you become a parent of a kid in your ministry. All those parents that once confused, questioned and frustrated you begin to sound rational and familiar. All those students that you once shed blood and sweat for now elicit tearful prayers and parental groans that words cannot express. The hugs that once seemed awkward and protected now seem more paternal and protective. The risks you once took don't seem so worth-it any more. The calendar and events that once pulled you and others away from family time on a Sunday afternoon now push everyone toward home. The pricetag on your events lowers. The average age of you volunteers rises... and you discover parents really are good for your group. All this and more come when you stick in it long enough to consider your kids as your own. The key to making it this far is humility; realizing that you don't have all the answers and that parents have much more to offer you than you have to offer them. Humility mixed with 15 years of experience will also drive you to pray more than you plan... and how can one help but develop a parental compassion for kids while in fervent and constant prayer for them?


20 years... the amount of time it takes to become an institution. Policies change, styles fade, strategies are replaced, pastors come and go but instiitutions are for always. We can depend on them when all else seems to shift. After 20 years in the same place people would be more shocked to see a their youth pastor leave than to see the Cubs win the world series. After 20 years you have the right to call your church "your church." After 20 years you begin seeing kids of kids in your program, grandparents volunteering and friends on the elder board. This is about the time when some youth pastors give in to the temptation to leave local church ministry to begin consulting, training and speaking ministries. The key to making it this far is a love for their church. Most pastors would say they love the Church, but to love their church is different. It means loving even the spots and blemishes of the bride of Christ, the humanness of the body. It means sticking around, rolling up your sleeves and being a part of the sanctification process for the body.


30 years... the amount of time it takes to be considered a legend or "lifer." I can only imagine what this will be like. When I think of lifers and legends I imagine my colleague, friend and mentor Keith Kreuger. Keith was the youth pastor at FEFC in Loveland, OH for... ever (ok, really like 30some years). Year after year he loved kids, equipped volunteers, encouraged patents, served the church and inspired rookies like me. He's the reason I didn't abandon my calling at the 10 year mark. He's the reason I didn't leave the joys of youth ministry for the monotony of adult ministry (at least it seems so to me). He's the guy I imagine being like when I grow up. I'd try to suggest a key to making it this far but I believe its truly a gift from God; the calling, the passion, the steadiness, the longevity. I pray that one day I'm blessed to be there.

terrible twelves

For those who are parents, the idea and memory of the terrible twos may shoot shivers down your spine. This was the season of development when your kid put everything but food in his mouth, cried over spilt milk she clumsily poured, made messes of her room and your home worthy of FEMA intervention, and wandered off into danger daily. For those who are parents of teens or older, this may sound a lot like early adolescence (which equally sends shivers down your spine).
The reality is that two and twelve are a lot alike. This is true, biologically, socially, relationally and spiritually.
Biologically their bodies are growing, changing and forging a gender identity. Along with these changes come some curiosity (even fascination) with their new bodies. These changes also produce an obvious clumsiness that amuses us at two and frustrates us at twelve.
Socially they are becoming more aware of others; learning to play with or relate to peers. At both stages mastery means not hitting someone for taking a toy or friend away from them.
Relationally they are learning to express themselves with language, both verbal and nonverbal. Grunting is not uncommon. At both stages they are choosing hero's with which to relate: cartoons with capes at two, athletes, actors and entertainers at twelve. At two the try on your shoes and clothing, at twelve they try on your habits; vice or virtue, anger or gentleness, patience or impulse.
Spiritually, through the imagination, they are becoming aware of the mysterious other. At two the Bible stories inform their reality. At twelve, their reality informs their faith. For example, this is why toddlers have imaginary friends and early teens imagine what a real friend is. This is of course tied to cognitive development: moving into and out of the concrete stage between two and twelve.
So what does this mean?
My suggestion is to approach both stages similarly.
Be patient, it's only a stage.
Take lots of pictures.
Learn to laugh.
Treasure the silliness.
Ask for help.
Give lots of hugs.
Stay close by.
Choose their friends.
Filter their entertainment.
Look for teaching moments.
Don't forget to chart and celebrate growth.
Pray for wisdom, guidance, health and protection.

If you approach the terrible twelves with the same dedication and attitude as the terrible twos, by God's grace you'll make it. You'll find that your early teen years are just as enjoyable as your toddle years were.

Who's not here?

Do you measure the effectiveness of your ministry by who is there... or who isn't there?

I wonder if it would be more effective to measure by who is not present?

This might let us know what types of kids we tend to miss, alienate or ignore.
This might give us a better read on how well we do follow-up.
This might help us keep a better eye on the kids that are hurting.
This might keep us humble and remind us that we're not about numbers but names.

how do you measure a win?

What does a win look like to you?
What is the win in your ministry?
What does a win look like to each of the volunteers in your ministry?

Many students?
A well controlled small group?
Finishing off a talk-sheet?
A well-controlled room?
A conversion?
A well crafted and well delivered message?
No complaints?
Happy pastor and elders?
A great conversation?
Fruitful prayer?

These are all valid wins. There's nothing wrong with happy parents and supervisors. The trouble enters in when we fail to identify the greatest win, the win we strive for at the expense of others. This win must be defined and demonstrated at every opportunity. It's what we promote, measure, celebrate and adjust for when missed.

Youth pastors would do well to take a lesson from Billy Beane and Moneyball when it comes to defining a win and changing a culture for everyone to recognize and strive for that win. Beane is the GM for the Oakland A's and one of the major implementors of "sabermetrics," a rubric used to identity and assemble players according to their particular definition of "win." Rather than play by the commonly accepted practice of buying wins by increasing payroll and purchasing flashy stats and stars, Beane focused on what other teams misunderstood, ignored and discounted. He measured win potential by bases, pitch counts and longevity. Together, his discarded players produced a team that would surprise and redefine the great American pastime.

What would it look like if we defined the big win by prayer? Could it be that inviting God to participate at every moment is far more effective than inviting kids to participate? I believe that prayer is the most misunderstood, ignored and discounted tool in most Christians lives. What would it look like if we prayed as much or more than we prepared? What would it look like if we spent equal time praying for students as we did hanging with them? What if our culture was marked by prayer rather than music, games, teaching or discussion? 

I'm convinced that a youth ministry that measured the win by prayer would find more fruit than it could handle. I think churches have measured the win by butts, bucks and baptisms for too long.
It's time for a new metric.
What do you think?

Doctrine of..?

1 Timothy 1:3-5 ESV

As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith. The aim of our charge is love that issues from pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

If someone were to visit my ministry for a month, how would they define the doctrine they encountered? What would they believe to be the founding principles? What would they believe the purpose to be? What would they believe are our priorities?

Paul's charge to Timothy was to define his doctrine in principle and practice by faith and love. Is my church a place that encourages faith and models love? Is my ministry a place that is uncluttered by false piety, unrealistic expectations and exclusive community?

There is no one else charged with the mission of defining and defending the doctrine of my ministry but me, the pastor. I would do well to remind myself of this often. I would do well to evaluate our doctrine in principle and practice with regularity.

So how do you define your doctrine?

converts or kids

I'm a father of 6 right now. I know, sometimes I think I'm crazy too. The reality is I'm married to supermom. The point is that I'm always counting my kids and wondering where they're at and how they are doing. I worry less about my 17 year old because she's grown up to be such a great young lady that we can rely on her to care for all her siblings. I worry most about our 3 year old and our 3 week old... especially if they are together. I pay more attention to my 6 year old because she has been particularly needy lately and has a tendency to wander. I'm teaching my 9 year old to be more responsible and my 7 year old to be less concerned with his siblings and his notion of fairness. Consequently, they both get a bit less hands on assistance and more coaching from the sideline. It's a lot of work to raise 6 kids but God has blessed us and empowers us to do things well, to his glory.

Now what would you think if I told you I had 5 other children but I have no idea where they are. We were excited when they were born but somewhere between the hospital and home, between the store and the car, between mealtimes, we seemed to lose track of them. It's not that we don't care about them, think about them or wish that they were with us... it's just that keeping track of that many kids is difficult. We even set a place for them at the table each night. We find that trusting them into God's hands takes the edge off our guild and worry. Our hope is that one day they will return for a meal, a bath or some advice one day and maybe then we'll be more capable of caring for them.

That would be insane! (And before you call DCFS, it's also not true.)
But at times this is exactly what happens in my youth ministry. I've seen kids come to our events and find new life in Christ but never quite make it into the family of God. I pray for them, hope for them and even plan for their return but more often than not it's not enough to ensure their return.

The words of Paul in 1 Timothy 1:1 got me thinking about this.
"To Timothy, my true child in the faith"

What if I thought of these converts as kids? What if I removed words like "students," "teens," and "young people" and began referring to them as children who rely on me for spiritual nurture, nourishment, protection and guidance? What if my church resembled more of a home and less of a school? What if we were more family than class? Would I be more concerned with their whereabouts and health? Would it change the look and pace and feel of my ministry? What would it do to me as their pastor? What would it look like to count each kid and follow up on each missing child? What would it look like to care for them as my own?

It sounds like a lot of work but I believe God will bless it and empower me to do this well, to his glory.

How about you?

voices

What are the voices in your ministry?
There are student voices that express their opinions in both words and attendance.
There are parent voices that make both subtle suggestions and bold demands.
There are elder voices that both command and commend.
There are pastor and supervisor voices that both encourage and correct.
There are colleague voices that commiserate and challenge.
There are other voices that do speak but get drown out in the crowd.

Amidst the voices, can you hear the voice of God?
His voice is the first voice you heard when you entered ministry.
His voice is the one that brings clarity rather than confusion.
His voice is the one that brings peace rather than anxiety.
His voice is the one that guides rather than directs.
His voice is the one that comes with power and authority.
His voice is the one that we must follow.

So how do you keep your ears sharp for the voice of God in the cacophony of voices shouting in your ministry today?

Stillness?
Solitude?
Scripture?
Prayer?
Fellowship?
Worship?
Meditation?
Writing?
Family?
Exercise?

May your ears be honed to the voice of God and may His voice bring you peace and clarity in this New Year.

Why do I do what I do?

Why do you do what you do?
Why are you a youth pastor?
When I was young it was fun.
When it became "work" it was challenging.
When I'd been at it a while it was familiar, simple.
When I'd been at it a long while it was a pay check.

I'm grateful that none of these would have been my primary answer at any point in my ministry. I'm grateful that when I think about ministry I don't contemplate a vocation but a calling. God called me to be a pastor a long time ago and that calling sunk in deep. I don't think I understood it back at the beginning... but looking back; it's unmistakeable.

Why do you do what you do?
It's probably a good habit to remind one's self regularly why we do what we do.
When parents complain, when kids wander, when tragedy hits, when we are tired and worn out, when we feel unappreciated, when we are tempted, when we feel stuck... it's the reminder of our calling that sets us back on track and empowers us to overcome the trials of ministry.

Why do you do what you do?

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.