From Matt Ransom, Youth Director: Brenneman Missionary Church

That One Kid

I'm sure we've all been there. Scratching our heads after "that one kid" did something that we would have never expected. And, generally it is not a good thing! And ever since "the event" you've had to come up with a rule. I think we all have those in our ministry history. 

In my own personal ministry, some of the rules that I have had to make after "that one kid" event are as follows:

• Energy drinks and missions trips don't mix
• It is not a good idea to toast marshmallows with your fingers (especially if girls with long hair are around)
• Duct tape and pocket knifes don't equal a good outcome
• Be sure to check for low branches when playing hide and go seek at dusk.

Those are just a few of the rules I've come up with over the course of my 13 years in ministry. Fortunately, none of those incidents led to any major accidents or upset parents. But it would have been a whole lot easier on me if someone would have told me that I needed those rules ahead of time.

So, what are some of your "that one kid" rules? Share them in the comment section below and maybe you'll save one of us fellow youth pastors from having to make that rule after the fact. As always, change the name to protect the innocent. Share your stories and you may even get something in return for educating the rest of us ...until that next "that one kid" event.