Something I wrote sometime ago.
It’s been almost 9 years since I took the first steps into student ministry. It been a grand adventure of sorts. During my journey I have seen great highs and immense lows. I have witnessed amazing miracles of amazing students doing wonderful God centered things. I have watched with wonder and awe at the heart of students in worship and in prayer. I have also watched in horror at choices that seemed so unthinkable. Yet, in all those times I have never stopped loving what I do. I love students.
Recently I have watched the times change. I witnessed the change in the hearts of those I love so deeply. It seems like a war is raging in their lives. One that pits the very foundation of what I have and others have taught them though the years. At times is seems as if they are tossing off the teachings of their childhood and embracing a world vision for living. As these two worlds come crashing into one another how can we as Youth Pastors guild them through the jungle? How do we make the impact that instills enough internal strength to overcome such a large mountain?
Well here is the answer - We don’t. If we have done our jobs and trust most importantly Christ then they are securely in his hands. I have had the pleasure of watching many students stumble and even fall only to make an amazing recovery. I love the flexibilty of students. They can in most cases recover quite well, and grow further in their relationship than before. We as Youth Pastors must maintain a loving relationship with them. Our patience close to eternal, our hope immutable, and our love unceasing.
My greatest pain in youth ministry has been those times I haven’t been, patient, and hopeful, and yes even unloving. However, God has always covered my weakness. I have realized that when I try to accomplish ministry in my own ability and power I fail and I do fail miserably. It’s when I rest in His power and ablility that I can trust that He is working it all out.
The last thing we have to remember is trust. Trust is difficult. I have found that it is one of those lessons that take a great deal of time to build and maintain. As we are building the kind of relationship that develops this deep sense of trust between you, the student and their family it is important to remember that maintaining the trust is more difficult that establishing it. It takes work and lots of it. Yet, if I had to say the one thing that will make or break a relationship with our students - is trust. Be liberal with it. Smooth it over them like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Give them every inch of trust you can muster and then step back and watch. However, there is a warning. Beware, it can and will be dangerous. Why, because you can be hurt and you can do the hurting. So navigate well, but the reward in the end is oh so worth it. Make the investment.
Love them like there is no tomorrow.
Recently I have watched the times change. I witnessed the change in the hearts of those I love so deeply. It seems like a war is raging in their lives. One that pits the very foundation of what I have and others have taught them though the years. At times is seems as if they are tossing off the teachings of their childhood and embracing a world vision for living. As these two worlds come crashing into one another how can we as Youth Pastors guild them through the jungle? How do we make the impact that instills enough internal strength to overcome such a large mountain?
Well here is the answer - We don’t. If we have done our jobs and trust most importantly Christ then they are securely in his hands. I have had the pleasure of watching many students stumble and even fall only to make an amazing recovery. I love the flexibilty of students. They can in most cases recover quite well, and grow further in their relationship than before. We as Youth Pastors must maintain a loving relationship with them. Our patience close to eternal, our hope immutable, and our love unceasing.
My greatest pain in youth ministry has been those times I haven’t been, patient, and hopeful, and yes even unloving. However, God has always covered my weakness. I have realized that when I try to accomplish ministry in my own ability and power I fail and I do fail miserably. It’s when I rest in His power and ablility that I can trust that He is working it all out.
The last thing we have to remember is trust. Trust is difficult. I have found that it is one of those lessons that take a great deal of time to build and maintain. As we are building the kind of relationship that develops this deep sense of trust between you, the student and their family it is important to remember that maintaining the trust is more difficult that establishing it. It takes work and lots of it. Yet, if I had to say the one thing that will make or break a relationship with our students - is trust. Be liberal with it. Smooth it over them like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Give them every inch of trust you can muster and then step back and watch. However, there is a warning. Beware, it can and will be dangerous. Why, because you can be hurt and you can do the hurting. So navigate well, but the reward in the end is oh so worth it. Make the investment.
Love them like there is no tomorrow.
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