Why can’t I stop? I’ve prayed 1000 times for deliverance. I really shouldn’t be leading anybody.

“I know Satan taunts you.”

I feel like I’m under a constant barrage of bullets; trials abound.

“Take this assurance as a blessing: I’ve got it under control.”

I am helpless. I have no power to make things right again.

“I have regarded your helpless state.”

My soul may be wounded forever.

“No it’s not. I’ve shed My own blood for you. It is well.”

I am feeling more and more suffocated in my small church. No one seems to understand my vision for the possibilities.

“I know you’re desperate.”

Can’t anyone say something more hopeful, helpful than, “We’ve always done it this way?”

“I know you’re feeling lost.”

I don’t know if I can hold on much longer…but if I leave, the youth ministry will die.

“Don’t be silly. No it won’t. I am the Bread, the Word feeding your kids, feeding you.”

I’m at the end of my rope. This ministry is killing me.”

“I am the air you should breathe. Breathe Me in, breathe Me out.”

This is the air I breathe. I’m desperate for You.

Its a new day, an extra 366th chance this year for me to die. ? What do I need to die to?

I need to die to thinking that I am all that and a cookie in youth ministry. ? I am alone in that thinking, anyway.

“I have been crucified and now I lay alone behind this stone in the dark. “

I need to die to my career and go back to to living for Jesus, sharing Him with teenagers. They’re dying out there.

“I lived to die, often rejected and alone.”

I need to die to the hurry of youth ministry and enjoy the beauty of the people, the life around me.

“Like a beautiful rose ripped from the bush, I have been trampled under the feet of rushing, angry people.”

I need to die and begin to remember: its not all about me.

“Don’t worry. I took the fall… because to Me? It was always about you.”

The kids in my neighborhood make me sad. They’re always alone. Their clothes are in terrible shape. I don’t think they have enough to eat.

“See from His head, His hands, His feet! His sorrow and love are mixed together, flowing down everywhere.”

I can’t do enough, anything really, for these kids. There’s not enough money in my budget to go around. The church is barely making ends meet.

“Why are you so worried? Have you ever seen such love? Such sorrow? Because of those kids, His thorny crown is a thing of beauty. Weaved together for them. For you.”

In all my efforts to show love to students…does anyone love me?

“What a wondrous love is this!”

My soul is tired. Why am I still doing this?

“Because I am the Lord of your bliss.”

I’m really not equipped anyway.

“Don’t worry. I set aside my crown to come and be your Equipper.”

S

Do you feel like your small church efforts are just too small and it’s all in ashes?

Look! The King of Glory is already there.

Feel like you personally just don’t measure up? You never have enough time, money, vols…to get it all done?

Look! The King of Glory is waiting to come in.

Ever wonder if all the effort is making any difference with your students?

Look! Don’t be crestfallen; lift up your head. He’s coming even closer to stand by you.

Can you see no way out of all the politics and predicaments of ministry at your church?

Look! The Savior of the world is here. And there.

S

Get your ministry an old lady.

I mean this with the deepest respect and let me tell you why:
Last weekend I spent time with a church in Toronto. As I led listening several listening groups, I kept hearing about Miss Audrey. “She’s a saint!” “I love me some Miss Audrey!” “She was my teacher and now she’s teaching my kids.”

Come to find out: Miss Audrey is 89yo and still teaching. She’s been teaching for 71 years! Can you believe that? Every decade of members connected to that church whom i met also mentioned an Audrey connection. They spoke of her with loving tones; her faith impact runs deep.

I met Saint Audrey finally. She told me: “I was baptized here, married here, raised my kids here and I’m going to be buried here. Right here at this church in that courtyard outside. Just my ashes, though. Not my body; that would scare the children.”

Our students need deep roots like this woman of God. A healthy seed of a true believer’s life is planted when they do life with all types and ages. Some of those kids are the Miss Audreys to come.

S

Help a girl out! I’m working on my third session of my Small Church Youth Ministry track at the upcoming Simply Youth Ministry Conference in Louisville the first weekend of March. Post your ideas in the comments here. My brain is fried and so its time for me to pick yours!

…and I didn’t write it. But its good and its raining and its Saturday and I’m in a “feel good” state of mind.

Thanks to my friend, Cheryl Moles, who is a proud mom (and the Dir of Chr. Ed at Central Pres in Terre Haute) who passed her son’s blog on to me. Meet Brian Moles from 2nd Pres. in Nashville, who reminds us of why we do what we do. “My Perfect Sunday.”

http://bmoles.blogspot.com