Mission Connection Magazine

Confessions of a Youth Pastor 
As a student, summer is a time to sleep in, have fun, earn some extra cash…and did I mention sleep in? But youth pastors are in for a rude awakening when they graduate college/seminary and jump into their first summer working with youth.
 
Summers, which were once peaceful and serene, are now jam-packed with camps, Vacation Bible School, pool parties, and of course, the teens who drop by your house at two in the afternoon, bored and looking for a bag of Doritos in your pantry.
 
That is why I am not ashamed to admit that I, a first-year youth pastor, have the end of summer slumps. And for you, passionate mission leader, that means a world of opportunities to jump in and bring mission awareness to the teens in your church.
 
Youth workers need help! They are slumping right now, trust me! Teens are still “geeked out” (in a good way) from amazing camp speakers and awesome mission trip experiences. Mission leaders, this is your cue to capitalize! Here are some ideas.
 

• Tell your youth leader that you and the NMI team will plan the next monthly fun youth activity. Find a cool cross-cultural spot in your town, like an Ethiopian restaurant or an ethnic market. Have lunch and send them out on a scavenger hunt, looking for cultural artifacts.
• Volunteer to lead next week’s youth group. Lead the group in a round of Poop Deck (google it!). This game never fails to wear-down your most rambunctious teen. Show them a video from the Living Mission DVD and lead discussion from the Discussion Guides for Youth Groups (available at www.livingmission.com).
• Keep it simple. Take a few of the teens out for coffee. Ask them about their summer, what God is teaching them, and how missions fits into the picture.

Your youth workers will thank you!
 
Shawna Songer Gaines
Chicago, Illinois

  
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