15 Years of Youth Ministry Lessons

15 years ago today, I walked into Trinity UMC for the first time as a full time staffer as a 23  year old, wet-behind-the-ears youth worker who was scared to death about what I had gotten myself into but eager to follow God’s call into full time ministry.  It definitely has been a wild ride for 15 years full of GREAT highs, and plenty of low moments as well.  I have celebrated, cried, cheered, laughed, hurt, hugged, high-fived, fist-bumped, sang, counseled, coached, cooked for, taught, pranked, been pranked, joked, and loved with and on teens for the last 15 years. I have had the opportunity to serve alongside great pastors, amazingly talented staffers, youth counselors who have taught me so much and countless other people who will NEVER know the impact that they have had on my life and ministry.  I have been blessed with a family that supports the silliness, crazy hours, and always-on-call nature of youth ministry life.  To all of you I am forever grateful.  I thought to celebrate I would share some of the things I have learned over the years.  Although some of these lessons are serious and real, as you  might expect from me (if you know me well) most of this list is done with some sarcasm.  Its’ just for fun and a way for me to recall some of the things that have happened over the years.  So enjoy.

Me & The Guys from Audio Adrenaline - Oldest Pic I Could Find @1997

And this is from camp just a couple months ago...15 yrs. and a lot of gray hairs later

1.  Ideas often seem much more effective in my brain than they actually are when acted upon.  (I.E.  strobe light football, shortcuts on mountain roads)

2.  Tears are a part of life.  Sometimes they come from laughing way too hard.  Other times the come from pain.  Whether being moved to tears of joy or sorrow, I have found that I thank God for all of them.

3.  Programs are fun, and effective, but the best memories I have and the most effective ministry moments I have experienced have come as the result of conversations and experiences more than programs and curriculum.  People will always be more important than programs.

4.  Pizza should be considered the 5th food group!

5.  You can NEVER take enough pictures!

6.  God’s timing is much, much, much, much more on target than mine.

7.  Always check shower heads for kool aid powder BEFORE taking a shower on a retreat.

8.   First impressions of people are JUST that…FIRST IMPRESSIONS.  Often they are but a glimpse into the true identity and personality of that person.  Take time to listen to the stories people have. They are window and doors into their hearts.

9.  Lock-ins are the work of Satan.  However, if it wasn’t for lock-ins there would be no time to play Radioactive Renegades.  Which brings up another point.  Church buildings have more GREAT hiding places than any other type of buildings in the world.  Trust me!

10.  No matter how hard you try, you will NEVER make everyone happy.  No way around it.  What I have learned, is to try and make God happy and please Him.  Then if someone has a problem with what you are doing….WELL!

11.  There is no such thing as a “TYPICAL DAY” in youth ministry.  The only thing that a well planned day means is that something unexpected is going to happen to mess your plan up.

12.  Time really does FLY when you are having fun.  All sorts of proof that I could give you here, but don’t have the time or the space.

13.  Coffee has gotten me through MANY an early morning and kept me going on MANY a late night.  (see #9)

14.  My all time favorite quote and my youth ministry mantra… “People don’t care what you know until they know how much you care.”

15.  There is no better job/ministry/calling/gig than having the opportunity to invest in the lives of teenagers and journey with them as, together, we draw closer to God and closer to one another.

I could go on forever, but I will stop.  I am blessed to have spent 15 years doing what I am called to do in a place that has loved me and grown me and taught me like Trinity has.  To all the people I have worked alongside, the youth I have hung out with, the counselors I have learned from and the people who have walked the journey with me in some shape or fashion, I say a deep, heartfelt, thanks.  And most importantly, thanks be to God for your calling on my life, for leading me even when I tried to lead myself, and for never failing me even though I failed you.  I have no idea where you will lead me the next 15 years, but I have no doubt that it will be a wild ride and an abundant life.

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