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.