Principles

What are the principles that you run your Youth Ministry by? What are the wins that you are looking for at the various stages? How do you adapt structures that we read about to your contexts?

Just a few questions from work today...

Christmas Gift

My family has gone through some revamping for the Christmas holiday in regards to how we give gifts. I got involved with the Advent Conspiracy a few years ago and it helped me re-evaluate how I looked at both giving and getting gifts. We used to get everyone in our family a gift (which at six gifts a person is big challenge) and the morning would be filled with unwrapping fun. Well, as a result of AC, we switched over to a lottery system and now pick one name to get a gift for. It is great! I feel like I am able to get one really great gift and also give one really quality gift as well.

This year I picked my little sister, who is a camp director at Kidder Creek Camp, which is a division of Mt. Hermon, and she needed some new gear to help brave the winter. I was gladly able to provide a ponytail beanie (which are surprisingly rare) and a Leatherman Kick, both items which I knew would get good use.

As for me? Well I got the most excited for my new ESV Study Bible that has my name engraved on it...must mean I am a Bible nerd or something...

This Christmas has been great, lots of family, lots of fun and plenty of time to spend with my new wife together on our first Christmas...but more on that later...

Mentors

I just want to pause and take a moment to thank those people around me who take the time to listen to me ramble and bounce what sometimes feel like "world on my shoulders" type questions.

Kevin Boer- You are an amazing man who is blessed with wisdom and patience. Thanks for the long talks, great advice and for believing in me as a young Youth Worker.

Brian Aaby- Thanks for speaking my language and for telling me how it is. By far some of the best ministry advice I have gotten thus far in my not so long career.

Angela Hall- You just get me and allow for me to grow into the answers that are waiting for me out there. Thanks for your honesty and ability to let me answer some of my own questions.

If you currently don't have some one who mentors you or who walks beside you in your context, I highly encourage you to find some one. It is one of the best tools that has ever been demonstrated to me...

Some Thoughts

So,

I am in the process of reading through several books dealing with structures of ministry and how we are to apply them into our various contexts. As a Youth Director at a Presbyterian Church, I am finding that some of the staff that is out there fits our context really well and others require a bit of stretching. Here are the big questions that I have going through my head as a result of these readings:

Is Youth Ministry becoming more about equipping and partnering with parents? Should the Youth Pastor title be changed to "Pastor to Parents and Students?

What role does Campus Ministry play in the everyday and big picture planning aspect of Youth Ministry? Students are on campus far more than they are with us in church, so should we be going to them consistently?

What does multicultural ministry look like for small denominational churches?

Can networked/community Youth Groups work? Are we witnessing the end of the denominational church in Youth Ministry?

As you can see, these questions are not exactly small and are not going to be answered right away, but I hope we make headway on some of them soon. Feel free to jump in and add your thoughts...

Youth Ministry People I respect and why

So,

As a first year youth pastor, I have come to find that I need guidance. I am constantly looking for material to go off of, consume and learn more about. I really want to be good at my craft and I wouldn't be doing it if it weren't for a few ministry heroes. So, those same people I respect are now the people I am turning to for advice:

Nate Rice: Jr. High Director, Forest Home- has probably helped shape me the most in my preparation for ministry. Mad respect for Nate and all the wisdom he has passed down.

Heather Flies- Jr. High Pastor, Wooddale Church- She was the woman that started it all. If it hadn't been for Heather and her ministry to me in Jr. High, I probably wouldn't be in ministry today.

Jordan Frye- Musician- Demonstrated a life of love that truly pursued the passion of Christ while we worked together at Forest Home. One of the most influential people in my life.

Dan Kimball- Pastor- Vintage Faith Church- His books have helped me land theologically and practically in my desire to work in a church, and to navigate the road of Emergence. Thanks Dan for your voice.

Angie Horn-Andreu- Program Director, Forest Home- Angie gave me the recommendation that gave me my first shot at Youth Ministry at Forest Home. She has not been as hands on, but she has helped shaped me more than she knows.

Steve Osborne- High School Pastor, Desert Springs Church- Best friend and partner in ministry. We shall walk this road together. It is always good to have someone to banter with. Not sure if I could do it with out you.

Angela Hall- Bethel University- Demonstrated to me that Youth Ministry is a way of life, even if you aren't a Youth Pastor. Thanks for the many conversations and for the priceless advice that you so freely give.

My Future Wife, Mars- For being the support I need. I love you.

And the many students, pastors, staff members that I have worked with. You are too numerous to name, but have still played a large role in my story and I am grateful to have had you as a part of my life.

Going to the Chapel...

After a busy weekend, my fiance and I have finally landed on a date and location to get married. It is now the time when it all sets in and feels really real, and slightly daunting. I will probably write about a few steps of the process in coming weeks...

formspring.me

Ask me anything http://formspring.me/Thecomebackkid7