Over the past few years I’ve had a couple of pastors scratch their heads when they find out I come down to the beach with the youth group every year and hang with our teens. They say something along the lines like, “Where do you find the time to do that?” My answer is, “I make the time!”
This is the third year I’ve done this…and I hope that I will continue to do it. Here’s why…
#1 - God Wants Me To!
Yep, played the God card! But…it’s not a canned answer…it’s the truth. I really have felt the past few years that God has said “go” every time I am asked, “Do you want to do the beach camp this year?”
#2 - I Believe In Our Teenagers!
I opened up middle school and high school week the same way! I told them…
First of all, let me clearly explain to you why I am here. I love you! Seriously, I love you guys much more than you could ever imagine. I don’t believe you are the future of our church - you ARE our church!
Second of all, I honestly believe that the next senior pastor of NewSpring Church could be in this room! I am not going to do this forever. One day I will either die or pass the leadership reigns over to someone else…and it could be one of you! I believe the next Billy Graham could be here. Or the next Lee McDerment! I believe that one of the greatest missionaries to ever live could be here…and so I want to spend as much time with you as I can!
#3 - Teens Are An Incredible Predictor Of The Future!
Pastors, if you think your church is going to look the exact same way it looks right now in ten years and still grow…you are STUPID!
I remember when I was in youth ministry the way we did it…we had bands, screens, used videos, met kids where they were and taught them Scripture using every method we could think of.
Uh…sort of looks like the way church is being done today!
The question I am constantly wrestling with is, “What’s next?” Seriously, something is coming! Something is on the way that is going to revolutionize ministry! Something is going to happen to radically transform thousands of lives in the future. AND…I believe student ministry is going to unlock that “SOMETHING” that will impact the next generation.
#4 - It Allows Me A Chance To Form Relationships
Sunday’s are game time for me. I am a focused maniac! I don’t have a ton of conversations that day because I am trying my best to make sure that I have all my i’s dotted and t’s crossed. BUT…when I get away in this environment I am able to focus and spend time with these kids…here their stories, their struggles, answer their questions, pray for them, encourage them…and so on. I love it!
And…when I see them throughout the year there’s a bond there that is absolutely priceless!
#5 - I Love Our Youth Staff And Volunteers!
I love our youth staff…they are amazing!
And, our volunteers are TROOPERS! Seeing them serve Jesus challenges and inspires me!
The other night I nearly lost it right before I got up to speak!
Rob Miller, one of the volunteers on this trip, and I were standing at the back of the auditorium watching the kids worship and he said to me, “Hey man, what if you had said ‘no!’”
I looked him and asked what in the heck he was talking about.
He said, “What if you would have told God ‘no’ when He asked you to start NewSpring Church? Forget everything else that is going on - you would have never gotten to see this.”
When he said that he pointed to over 200 high schoolers worshiping Jesus…and I nearly lost it. I had to walk away and gather my thoughts before getting up! These kids are worth every single dime and every ounce of time we can give them…and I am so glad that God has allowed me to be a part of this.
Pastors, my advice…you CAN’T INVEST enough in student and children’s ministry!!! You’ve heard me say it before—but GIVE TO THEM before any other group in the church! Stop sticking them out in front of Wal Mart on Saturday’s with donuts and brownies…challenge your church to step up and give to them. And…when cuts need to be made in the budget…ALWAYS take away from the adults before you take away from the kids…and if they get mad—let them LEAVE and go another church that will organize their trips to pick apples and visit museums where they can view the worlds largest ball of twine!!!
NewSpring…I can’t wait to see what happens in our student ministry this next year…and next ten years…and beyond. We have some amazing kids who love Jesus and are going to accomplish far more for HIS Kingdom that we’ve ever dreamed.