Raising Teens

I don’t get it. How can people not absolutely love student ministry?

I wish I could say I always thought this but when I look at my past, I cannot say this has always been true. It’s an awkward age and one I barely escaped myself. If you say you want to go back to middle school to enjoy it again, I question your sanity. Yet, through these four years (wow. I’ve lasted 4 years!! yikes.) God has grown in me a desire to work with teens. This might be the first school year where I feel comfortable with them. It is not an area where it comes naturally or quickly. Working with teens takes time but like with most time gobbling activities, it is so worth it. When a kid starts to trust you and actually ask your advice on life decisions. . .wow.

So I write this for two reasons. First, how great is our God? When I think of other ministries I could have given my life to or avenues of career I could have taken, I would be hard pressed to find a richer and more Spirit drenched area to commit to. And second, don’t give up. If you have teens, you are the most important voice in their lives. You are writing a legacy. It takes time. Believe it or not, they like you. They are intrigued by what it looks like to be an adult and they are captivated with YOU. Don’t take their outbursts, confusion, doubts, or anger as an indictment of your calling. God has wired you for them. Don’t give up. We here at Western Reserve are with you.