truths for the youths

I was a youth pastor for 7 years. It was an incredibly fun, challenging and rewarding time. I’m still involved with the youth at our church but in more of an oversight role now as the Student Ministries Pastor. Towards the end of my tenure as the day-to-day Youth Pastor, I began to wonder what students took away from their time in our youth group. So instead of just hoping they “got it” I left the seniors with a list of quotes, ideas, and concepts accumulated over the years that I felt were the hallmark of our youth ministry at VFC. I typed them up and printed it out where they could display them in their room, dorm, or work space. Its gotten kinda long because I’ve continued adding to it over time. But it’s just a simple reminder of what they have learned so that their time in youth would stay a part of them as they went off to college, began work and started their families. Recently I was looking over this list and it doesn’t only apply to teenagers. I, personally, need to hear these on a regular basis. I believe they contain wisdom for anyone in any stage of life.

So here is the official “Final Thoughts From Your Time in VFC Youth” list. I pray God speaks to you through it.

• You have a purpose and a calling. And it’s a good one.
• You are loved more than you can possibly imagine.
• Being right and being in control are overrated. “I don’t know” is a perfectly good response. You don’t have to know everything.
• God loves people above all else.
• If you get a chance to travel and its OK with God and parents, take it. Experience this awesome world while you can. Once real life kicks in, its harder to get away and experience new things.
• Always be honest but learn to tell the truth without hurting people. Its not just what you say but how you say it.
• It’s much more satisfying to give than to receive.
• The human heart was not built to handle life’s burdens alone. You’re not Superman. You were created to need God and rely on others.
• The modern dating scene is practicing divorce. It’s an S.T.D. – a Substitution for real love, a Temptation to be too intimate and a Distraction from God.
• Having fun is important.
• The Bible is inspired by God and trustworthy. The more you study it, the more you’ll understand both God and yourself.
• Make sure your guard your relationship with your family. They will always be your family.
• You are the church. Act like it!
• You are not responsible for your parents’ bad choices. Their problems are not your fault. You are, however, responsible for how you respond to their bad choices.
• The presence of God is an extremely valuable thing. Make it a priority to spend time in His presence regularly.
• When it comes to who will go to Heaven, it’s not about what you do, it’s about Who you know.
• It’s OK to not be OK, but it’s not OK to stay not OK.
• Sex is a spiritual activity. It’s spiritual glue that is meant to bond two people together forever. That’s why its reserved for marriage and that’s why pre-martial sex causes so much trauma.
• Instead of demanding that you get your way, learn to appeal to the authority of your parents. Your parents want to be able to trust you but trust is earned, not demanded.
• You will fail at times, but don’t give up. Fail forward.
• Christianity is not a system of rules you follow in order to make God happy. It’s a relationship with a person.
• The Holy Spirit provides the power you need to do and be what God asks. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit and frequent infillings and encounters with Him are critical to your love walk with God and your ability to fulfill your calling.
• God is not looking for perfection, but connection.
• Bored people are boring.
• If you’re afraid of doing something God’s told you to do, do it afraid.
• The Kingdom of God (God’s way of doing things) will almost always be in direct opposition to the world system (the world’s way of doing things).
• Faith that God exists – while still faith – is very reasonable.
• Don’t let the urgent get in the way of the important.
• Pursue peace and let it determine your choices in life.
• People are going to let you down and will always do what they want to do. Love them anyway.
• You are a matchmaker between God and your friends and family. Set them up!
• To love someone is to serve them and lay your life down for them.
• Worst case scenario for the Christian: eternal bliss.