A Spark of Hope, A Blaze of Deception

This past weekend was the National Youth Workers Convention. Not only was it a time to recharge, but it also gave me a glimpse of traditional youth ministry at large. The oddity of being surrounded by youth workers who have a ministry that looks nothing like mine was combined with the peace that we’re doing the right thing. In the midst of all the books and resources and t-shirts and technology and everything else that tends to distract from being the church that God is calling us to be, I saw a spark. There was a little hint of something in their eyes that knew that there is something more, something worthwhile. This is not to say that I have it all figured out. On the contrary, I feel like I’m stumbling around in the dark while God does miracles all around me. However, I saw something this weekend that gave me hope for the church in America: something about outward-facing youth ministry, something about using the church in Acts as an example, something about discipleship happening in the midst of mission, something about the kingdom. It was just a spark, but it was there in some of the youth workers.

Unfortunately, I also saw some deception. While some are drifting toward acting like the church, others are abandoning truth. They say that love doesn’t include challenging people to repent and follow Jesus. They say that the word of God is just a big allegory. They say that the poor have some special divine presence. They say that the words of Jesus are limited to the “red letters.” They say that relationships are ultimate, not God’s glory. May the Holy Spirit lead people through this maze of hope and deception. Without Him, it’s just a giant ball of confusion. (By the way, I’m not going back next year).

From the Trenches #2 – The Backyard Missionary

This past summer, I felt a pull toward world missions. I want the world to know Jesus and love Jesus and worship Jesus and be transformed by Jesus. I began to see that how God has shaped me would make living across the world in a different culture the perfect place for me. This might be a possibility in the future. Only God knows. Nevertheless, cross-cultural ministry is not a future venture for me. I looked around at the people at tutoring on Tuesday, at the people around my table at the awards banquet for the local high school’s marching band, at the people at the store ran by the aunt of one of my youth group kids. What did I see? The only other white person was another youth leader. Most of the peeps I was with speak another language than English at home. Some of them are Muslim. I am a missionary today to the people of Sierra Leone in Wyoming, Michigan. If God has prepared me for world missions someday, you can bet He has prepared me for this moment.

From the Trenches #1 – A 2-Way Street

Have you ever seen an old military vet show off his piece of shrapnel? (I haven’t, but I’ve seen it on TV!) He tells the story of how he got it and lets you see the scar. You get a glimpse into what he learned while he was in the trenches. Well, as I’ve been in the trenches of ministry, I’ve begun to get a few battle wounds and boy have I learned a lot in the process. I want to share a few of these things that God has been teaching me with the two people who read this.

Not only am I commissioned by God to share Christ with others and live among them and serve them, but I need to learn from these people, too. I’ve always known this, but this past Sunday I was reminded of this. After leading a discussion group of girls and spending a little money to provide lunch, I went with one of my girls to the store. She wanted to buy a can of Arizona for one of the other youth group leaders, and she bought one for me, too. Mind you, this is a girl who has no job and only had about six dollars to her name. I gladly accepted it, because I remembered that ministry is a 2-way street. I shouldn’t just give, but allow others to give. Paul welcomed support from churches, because he wanted them to be blessed by it. This goes way beyond a simple can of tea. Don’t make the mistake of thinking you’re all that and that the people you are sharing Jesus with have nothing to offer.