From Aaron Burdin: Youth Pastor, Hillside Missionary Church

AM I MISSING SOMETHING IN YOUTH MINISTRY?

In youth ministry there are so many things demanding our time. We are easily consumed with building relationships with teens and adults, youth group, small group, mission trips, meetings, planning material, explaining to parents why their son or daughter jumped out of the church van, and so on. Just kidding about the church van bit, but we all have times where teens do things we think will cost us our jobs.

No matter how long you have been in youth ministry, there are some key essentials we must not forget. 

• Our influence on teens will rise and fall on our relationship with Jesus. 
• Our prayer life is what connects with the God of the impossible.
• Teens must have a relationship with Jesus.

This is not to say that all the other things we spend our time doing aren't meaningful, but without Jesus we will completely miss the point of ministry.

I was reminded of this truth this past week about how important it is for you and I to be in right relationship with the Father. I was also reminded about how important it is for us to share our relationship with Jesus with our teens.

Saturday I had the opportunity to sit down with two college ministry leaders and hear about what they were doing to help college students develop their faith. Afterwards, they told me that the number one problem they face with college students is that most of them have never really listened for God's voice or have any idea what a relationship with Jesus looks like. I made note of this comment and I had to ask myself, "Am I missing something in youth ministry?"

If it is true that that most college students don't know what it means to have a relationship with Jesus, what are you and I going to do about this in our ministry? Fortunately, I beleive God gives us these moments to stop and re-evaluate what we're doing so that we can be better in line with Him. 

Youth ministry will always be demanding. Whether you are full time, part time, or a volunteer, we must first focus on our relationship with God. These students need leaders who not only care, but are constantly connected to the One they desperately need, so they can see Jesus.

Share your comments ...how are you modeling a personal relationship with Jesus to your students? 

**MCNCD youth workers who leave a legitimate comment will receive a $5 iTunes gift card. Yep, that's right! So, leave your name!