Too Old For Youth Ministry

It has been a while since I have posted to my blog because I have been stewing over this idea for the last two months. I'm 38 years old and not getting any younger. I have been involved in youth ministry for 18 years and full time as a youth pastor for 11 years.

God called me into youth ministry back in the Fall of 1995. I was a freshman at college and decided to change my major because I realized that I was not living the call I had received as a young boy. I went to college to study business because I had taken a career type test in high school that determined I should go into business. It was during my first semester at college that I heard a message, in chapel, about Jonah's disobedience. God used that message to convict me that I was doing the wrong thing. The speaker even said in that message that if God has called you into ministry and you try to do anything else, you will not have the blessing of God in whatever you do. Wow. That hit me. I knew I had to change my major and pursue the call God had placed upon my life.

I began to pray about what specific ministry God was calling me into. I had an amazing experience in the youth group that I was a part of during middle and high school. My youth pastor, Erik Williams, spent a lot of time with me and showed me how to live for Jesus. God put it in my heart to be that same influence in the lives of teens in the next generation. Then God led me to a passage of Scripture to further confirm what He was doing in my heart, 1 Thessalonians 2:8 it says, "We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God, but our lives as well because you have become so dear to us." God used this verse to impress upon me exactly what He was calling me to do: Build relationships with teens and share with them the life changing message of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Since God called me into youth ministry, I have served in three churches as the full-time youth pastor over a span of eleven years. While studying in seminary, I served a year and a half as a part time youth pastor. Then, I have served in two different churches as a youth coach for over five years. So, I have been involved as a youth leader for eighteen years. Wow, God has been so good to me!

When God called me to youth ministry, I had no idea how long I would last. I had friends who used youth ministry as a way to "climb the ladder" in order to become the lead pastor. I had friends who told me stories of getting burnt out. Youth ministry can be the most demanding of all the pastoral ministries within the church. I had a youth ministry professor in college who said that in order to fully prepare yourself to be a youth pastor, one would need to get a degree in theology, biblical studies, business administration, teaching, public relations, communication, psychology, and anthropology, just to name a few. When I heard that, I thought to myself, I know I'm not qualified, and that everyone who serves as a youth leader would need to rely heavily on the anointing of Jesus to fulfill their calling. That is exactly what has sustained me in these years as a youth leader.

When I started out as a youth pastor I told myself: If I ever get too old and stop connecting with youth, I need to get out before I do more harm then good. As I mentioned, I have been wondering the last two months if I am getting to that place. The youth ministry that I lead has seen a decline in attendance in recent months. Obviously numbers aren't the most important thing in ministry, but it is a vital sign that needs to be looked at periodically and taken seriously. In light of this, I have spent considerable time praying and asking the Lord for direction. So, over Christmas, I began praying and asking God this question: Is it time for me to move on? Am I getting too old for youth ministry or am I losing touch with youth? In response, I heard the Lord tell me pretty clear, No, it is not time to move on.

I asked the Lord: At what point is a person not qualified to be a youth pastor? I didn't get the answer I was expecting (when you're too old). The answers I received were: When you fall into immortality or when your call changes. What I was reminded of is the fact that God qualifies the called. Jesus didn't call the qualified when He chose fishermen, tradesmen and a tax collector to follow Him. He took men who were willing and then trained and empowered them. Then these men would eventually be used, by God, to launch the church. The same Holy Spirit who empowered the disciples, and gave them the energy and anointing they needed to reach people for Christ, is the same one who fills and empowers me to lead our youth ministry.

In conclusion, through prayer, I realized that my calling and assignment hasn't changed. God continues to burden my heart for the youth of our town. It pains me to see students making bad decisions when I know Who has the ability to change a person's life. While I continue to have a burden and love for teens, I'm staying in youth ministry. As long as God has a youth ministry calling upon my life and I have a passion for it, I'm going to continue fighting the old bald guy reality and embrace the fact that with Jesus the best is always yet to come.
 
By the way, while spending time in prayer, the Lord gave me two fresh downloads for new ministries to develop within our youth ministry. The future is bright for the Anchor, because Jesus is the Light of the World.

It's Spring-time

Spring is here!  Spring is a time of new beginnings.  In the winter months the ground is dormant, the vegetation is dormant, but Spring-time brings new life and growth!  The last six months have been a time of new beginnings for my family.  It has been fun for us to adjust to our new life here in Verndale.  We have enjoyed building new friendships, getting established in our church and getting settled in at school and in our home.  We praise the Lord for calling us here for such a time is this!

The student ministry, that I pastor, is also enjoying Spring-time and growth.  We have seen an influx of students over the last two months on Wednesday nights.  We have seen around 20 first-time guest come for the first time in the last two months.  Our attendance has doubled in the last six months.  To God be the glory, great things He has done!  We are currently seeking the Lord for wisdom in how to accommodate this growth.  Please be in prayer for our youth coaches as we make decisions about splitting the high school and middle school.  If we decide to split and meet on separate nights, we will be in need of more youth coaches as well.

On a recent Wednesday night, we saw several students launch into new beginnings as they gave their hearts to Jesus.  Our youth coaches planned a gross and messy games outreach, and we had six students give their hearts to Jesus that night.  The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”  When a person admits the fact that they are a sinner and confesses their sin to Him for cleansing, that person is made new!  These students are experiencing a new beginning!  I will be starting a new beginnings Bible study with these who have trusted Jesus, on Wednesday nights before youth group.  Please pray for these students as they begin to establish a new relationship with Jesus.

This Spring, as we anticipate the warmer months, as we enjoy the longer days and beautiful gardens, let’s also be reminded of God’s faithfulness.  No matter how difficult the winter’s of life can be, there is always springtime ahead.  As long as God is on His throne, we can trust His sovereign plan for our lives.  The Winter may have been long, but Springtime has arrived!