My First 2 Weeks as a Youth Minister

My first two weeks as a youth minister began two weeks ago. Not literally, because I've been wearing the title for about 2 years now, but I feel like 'ministry' just kicked in...

Two weeks ago I took our kids to camp. Nothing to spectacular there, except for the lengths I had to go through to get to this camp. Upsetting folks and spending a lot of money were two of the biggest. This new camp (camp Ichthus) offered something my kids have never experienced before. They witnessed the presence of GOD. And even better, they realized it! I have yet to see a spiritual youth group until that week. It just about brought me to tears, I was so happy to see these kids experience.

Just when things couldn't get any better, we head off to New Mexico to conduct a Vacation Bible School and hang with the children at the NM Christian Children's Home. Our teens and adults did an amazing job of the VBS drama, but I saw a complete opposite side of them. What was strong and passionate at camp, had totally disappeared in New Mexico. Laziness, language, bellyaching, disrespect, anger, sulking and belittlement. I haven't witnessed such immature behavior since the PV youth group of 2001! (sorry guys).

So, as the youth minister, I will tackle all these issues, in a Christian manner. Why can't I just tell them they're all immature little punks? I love them too much to say that... So I'm going to take this Sunday morning off to pray instead. Don't want to say something I shouldn't...

It feels like I just experienced two ends of the student ministry spectrum; the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. Ugh :(

my prayer: patience, patience and patience.

God answered another question

Here is something that's been on my mind recently:

I've been wondering why God would inspire the dictation of lists of genealogies and dates. My Bible reading has now taken me into the deeps of the OT; not the fun brain teasers like Proverbs or scantly clad Song of Solomon, but Deuteraut.... Deauterana.... Deut. Boring! I'm sorry for even mentioning this, but I'm really looking for my "devotional high."

However, I do believe that every catalog of names in Scripture is there for a purpose. The Holy Spirit does not waste words. God didn't inspire "filler" to beef up the Bible! But as God does so often, just as I began to question His motives, He hits me with a practical life lesson. Thus, my blog for today:

David's Mighty Men

A VBS my youth group will be assisting with in NM is studying the story of David's Mighty Men; specifically 2 Samuel 23.

David longed for a refreshing drink of water from his hometown of Bethlehem. Three of his "mighty men" brave the dangerous journey to bring some to him. When David receives it, he pours it out.

All in all, this story can be quite depressing, and difficult when trying to teach. Josheb, Eleazar and Shammah are the men that fetch said pale of water. These names we'll only cross once again in the Bible, then never again. But here is where God decided to get crafty; as we read, we see that these three men were not commanded to get the water, but they did it out of loyalty and friendship. This act was done out of love for their king.

Are there similarities there with how we worship?
Our worship to the Lord should not be performed as a duty, but as an act of devotion because we love our King. True worship will involve time and effort and sacrifice, and sometimes the overcoming of great barriers that are thrown in our path by the enemy of our souls. Have you ever noticed how many obstacles and diversions seem to present themselves when you would like to spend some time worshiping the Lord? Sometimes the man-made barriers of tradition and ritual must be overcome.

The fact that God keeps a detailed record of the names and exploits of David's fighting men has got to be significant. It shows us that God records our personal service, too. If God kept track and applauded David's mighty soldiers by name, how much more does he keep track and reward the faithful servants of David's greater Son!

my prayer: focus on GOD, not what others see

Making an "Impact"

What a blessed week I had last week. We took a handful of kiddos to Camp Impact at OC, and I think I was uplifted just as much as they were. It was refreshing not hearing the same-o same-o vbs church songs again, but giving credit to these little minds. Singing Lord Reign In Me and Shout Hallelujah was nothing for these 370 4th, 5th, and 6th graders. But as always, nothing is as beautiful as a child's voice singing Light the Fire.

I stand to praise you, but I fall on my knees,
My spirit is willing, but my flesh is so weak.
Light the Fire in my soul.
Fan the Flame, make me whole.
Lord you know where I've been,
So light the fire in my heart again.

To some degree, I ceased to care if they knew what their singing because it sounded so moving to me.. but I believe they do. I believe their minds have matured just enough to know that Jesus is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.

And now here I sit, in the offices at Parkview Church, asking... begging God to give me the abilities to continue to impact our kids like camp did for so many. I am done worrying about small budgets and tiny classes. If it's God's desire, he's gonna make it happen.

my prayer: to make an impact internally and outward in the community