Youth Ministry 101

Tracy and I made a decision early in our marriage that for our youth ministry to be effective, we'd have to open our home to teenagers. It helps build relationships. It helps teens see you in real life instead of only church life. In return, they become part of your life, too. That iron sharpens iron thing. Plus, you get great memories when you look at old family photos and videos and see them littered with teens past and present. They can come in without knocking, too.

They came in without knocking last night and filled up the couch and my chair. They talked about the plays they were in. They talked theology...trying to piece together the rapture and the trilogy ("I mean 'Trinity!" Did I say 'trilogy?'") and Mormonism. They kidded about dating. They talked about their old science fair projects. They made arrangements for the retreat this weekend. They laughed...a lot, with and at each other. They talked about their goals for school and sports and college. They told stories about how they treated their younger siblings. They had parents call because they were supposed to get school supplies for their younger brother...and were staying later than they expected.

And my home had life that only 5 teenagers can bring to it. It never gets old. And it reminds me how beautiful my "job" can be...and is.