Next Gen Ministry circa 3200 BC (new ministry blog post)

When it all comes down to it, we have a pretty straight forward job as youth pastors and leaders.  All of the programs, systems, toys, distractions, trips, and events will pass by.  I promise, they all fade given enough time.  Anybody remember the Newsboys inflatable concert domes with the motocross guys?  Yeah, I didn't think so.

But here, in Psalm 78, we find the basic part of what we are about.  Check it out:

1 My people, hear my teaching;
listen to the words of my mouth.
2 I will open my mouth with a parable;
I will teach you lessons from the past—
3 things we have heard and known,
things our ancestors have told us.
4 We will not hide them from their descendants;
we will tell the next generation
the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord,
his power, and the wonders he has done. 

Really, that's it.  We teach what we have been taught.  All so that the next generation will meet and love Jesus for themselves.  Then they will pass it on.  You and I only have so much time on this planet to get this done.  No, really, our time is kind of quick here.  Think about how quickly your college years are going/went by.  It goes fast.

Use the tools God has given you.  But don't confuse your iPhone apps for ministry.  They aren't.  Which gets your love, time, and attention?  Where are you investing yourself?  What does your calendar and wallet point to as priorities?


Let's not hide what we know from our children, instead, let's pass our stories on to the next generation.  It's not a new idea, but it's crucial.

Out of Focus and Starving

We did the 30 Hour Famine this weekend.  I've done it for the last 15 years.  I've gotta be honest; I didn't want to do it this year.  The week leading up to it, I wanted to cancel it.  I just was tired, and didn't want the work of it, and I didn't want to starve for 30 hours....again.  I hoped school would be canceled from the snow on Friday, so I could justify canceling the event. 

I know, I know, World Vision needs the money.  Starving children need the money.  I know.  I'm just that selfish sometimes. 

I also knew God wouldn't let me out of it.

He didn't.

So we did the famine, and as always, it was amazing.  Not only did a lot of students experience hunger and loss, and not only did they raise a TON of money to help, and not only did they get to experience real service in real time, but God was so generous to us.  He showed us His love, His encouragement, His grace, and moved us for His children around the world.

No surprise.

He does it every year.

So why, as a veteran leader, who knows all of this, did I want to cancel it?  I lost focus.

I can easily believe that the ministry is about me.  Don't misunderstand, I would NEVER say that out loud, but that doesn't mean it isn't true.  When I am more worried about how I feel, about what would be easier for me, when I think things like "I've done this 15 times, it won't hurt if we skip #16", I have lost focus.  It happens all the time to leaders.  It happens to you. 

It doesn't mean you're a failure or a horrible leader.  It is what it is; you've stopped looking at the right thing, and you've chosen to look at the wrong thing.  You've lost focus.  While it's normal, it's highly destructive.  As leader's we need to be aware of our driving emotions and beliefs.  The ministry isn't about us.  It's not about the kids.  It's about God.  He is our focus.  What does He want us to do today?  We need to be about it, 100%.  Then we open ourselves up, and our students up, to His work in our lives.  Then the ministry becomes ... well ... a ministry.

Where have you lost focus lately?  What do you need to do to refocus?