I was looking through my file of illustrations and stories today (yes, I still have a paper folder!) and came across the following information. It was given to me by my youth minister just after I started my first full-time ministry role in a church. The date at the bottom was 1998. What astounds me is its application over ten years later.
1. Guard your personal time with God ahead of your schedule. (How many of us would honestly say we struggle with that?!)
2. Plan family activities and time with your spouse BEFORE your monthly calendar fills up.
3. Keep in good physical shape. Age has little to do with youth ministry. Energy does.
4. Encourage more. Write notes of encouragement to youth, parents of youth, and youth workers. (Can you imagine getting a REAL letter in the REAL mailbox?)
5. Bigger is not necessarily better.
6. Youth ministry is still about personal relationships. (And yes, a decade later, it's STILL about relationships.)
7. Read books other than ministry books. Read books you WANT to read. For FUN.
8. Your pastor is not just a work associate or a boss. Develop a relationship (dare I say friendship) with him.
9. Don't take yourself so seriously.
10. Allow youth to plan and allow them to fail.
What key truths would you add to this list?
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