As promised I am taking some time to reflect on youth ministry in my blog.  The conference was good as it reminded me what youth ministry is all about and what I want to be all about, why it is I am called and passionate.  Its interesting because youth ministry can be incredibly difficult because of all of the competing interests and expectations.   You have the varying expectations of students:  some want to have fun, some want to learn, others want to socialize, some want to  take ownership and leadership, and some want to just show up.  Then there are the parents who each have varying expectations of discipline, order, control, challenge, learning, fun, babysitting, entertainment, safety and more.  Then there are the expectations of the congregation and the supervisors of the youth worker such as control, numbers, entertainment, keeping people happy, bringing people to Christ, getting parents into the church, serving as a work force, being seen, not being seen, and more.  Somehow a youth worker with varying gifts and passions has to balance his or her personality, gifts, and call with these expectations.  No wonder youth workers don't last long in churches!   These expectations repalce passion and become idols of sorts getting in the way of the real purpose and the real mission....to bring students to Jesus Christ and help facilitate a deeper relationship with him.  Somehow youth ministry becomes about everything but the youth...

 Just some thoughts for the pot, more to come...