I wrote this a year ago after some time with some former youth. I'm currently working on a sermon that brought it to mind and decided to share it again. I'm starting my thirteenth year as a youth pastor at the same church. That is a really long time in youth ministry and a really long … Continue reading A Youth Pastor's Hurt
Category: Youth Ministry
Loud and Off Key
There is a youth in my youth group that sings loud and off key. I love his singing the most. Because her song comes from her heart. He is lost in the words, in the music. She is oblivious to her faltering pitch because of her joy of the experience. I want to live life like he … Continue reading Loud and Off Key
Source of Significance
On Wednesday night, I was talking with the youth about our sources of significance. What or who is it that we look to to validate our worth and to prove our significance? There is a lot of similarity between how teens and adults would answer: Relationships. Work or Grades. Success. Money. Popularity. Looks. Influence. There is a long … Continue reading Source of Significance
Lesson Learned
The youth in my youth family teach me a lot of things. There are the very useful things like how to master the Wii, how to SMS bomb someone, how to have fun, how to fart on demand (okay, I already had that mastered.) They remind me that you can make a difference and that it is … Continue reading Lesson Learned
Reflections on KONY 2012
If you follow me on Facebook or Twitter, you know that I am a supporter of Invisible Children. You've been barraged by updates and tweets this week as we prepared to host the IC roadies at our church and as the latest video went viral and discussions/criticisms ensued. If you have followed me for any length … Continue reading Reflections on KONY 2012
A Youth Pastor's Hurt
I'm starting my twelfth year as a youth pastor at the same church. That is a really long time in youth ministry and a really long time as a youth pastor in the same church. I remember my current youth when they were mere babies and the first youth I had in my ministry are now having … Continue reading A Youth Pastor's Hurt
I Have a Secret
I want to help my youth live a better story. Some of them have had bad stories written for them and some have chosen bad stories. But God has a great Story for them and I want to do everything I can to help them live a better story. A story of living life abundantly. … Continue reading I Have a Secret
Getting Schooled By My Youth
The youth in my youth group teach me a lot of things. There are the very useful things like how to master the Wii, how to have fun, how to fart on demand (okay, I already had that mastered.) They remind me that you can make a difference and that it is never to late … Continue reading Getting Schooled By My Youth
When It's All Worth It
Ministry can be discouraging. I imagine it is the same in most jobs. The things that end up dominating your "to-do list" or clogging your email or voicemail are things that you never intended to spend your time on or be a slave to. Yet they take (and get) so much from me. When I … Continue reading When It's All Worth It
On the Road Again
I leave Sunday for the third and final mission trip of the summer. This time around I'm heading out with my youth to Atlanta, Georgia, for a week of service at the Moncrief Center. We will be spending each day working with about 60 children in grades kindergarten - fifth grade. Most of the children … Continue reading On the Road Again
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