I get picked on sometimes... because apparently, as a youth minister, I spend most of my time (I've been told) planning "ski trips" and "lock-ins" and other various fun activities. Now, I realize that most people do not really believe that's how I spend my life/career/ministry, but I guess it's possible there are a few out there who wonder just what a youth minister does. I won't go into my weekly schedule, but I would like to give you a glimpse into our world.
Children's ministers get to nurture and love children who adore them and look up to them as superheroes. I know this because I was one, and it's an amazing feeling to be so loved by these little ones. Adult ministers serve a group who have made their decision to be a part of the church, mind you, for various reasons I'm sure. Many have chosen the wrong path in the past and now desire to "atone" for their mistakes or simply want to avoid further damage to the lives God has given them. Many have seen the destructive ways of the flesh and choose to stay away from this kind of life. This makes for an interesting ministry to adults, but at least you usually know what you're getting... parents or singles who have chosen of their own volition to be there.
Now, I would never want to downplay either the roles of children or adult ministers, but youth ministry does seem, to me, unique in some ways. It's like we took all of the above, thew it in a blender, and added extreme social/peer pressure, some parents requiring church attendance, and the appeal of energetic and exciting programming. Discerning reasons for why students attend youth ministries seems sometimes a fool's errand. Even if you were to peel away the layers of presumption and ask a student honestly, "Why do you participate in church" the students themselves would be hard pressed to give you a coherent answer.
Why do I even bring all of this up?
Well... because... I believe that the most difficult thing about youth ministry is that there are so many men and women out there who love God and love students and want to see students love God and love others but at the end of the day must ultimately leave the students' true commitment and level of belief in the hands of as Sovereign God.
A student whom you have the highest hopes for may wreck his or her life. A fringe student or troublemaker whom you never thought would amount to much in the Kingdom may turn out to be the next David Platt or Francis Chan. The most difficult part about youth ministry is that in the end...
... it is their choice to make...
... not yours...
...as much as you'd love to make it for them.
Father, help me to trust you to guide the students you have entrusted to my care. Help me to trust that no matter what I see with my fleshly eyes, you look at the heart.
Amen
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