Why is it that students don’t get it when it comes to living a life that resembles Jesus? Of course the obvious answer is they don’t know how. That’s bunk. Some might say that they don’t want to…more bunk. I believe the real reason is us. Youth pastors blame the parents. But what role do we play as youth pastors?
Youth pastors. We really play a more pvotal role than we believe…
“Let’s not forget that it all started with a mouse!”. So said Walt Disney when talking about the ever expanding Disney empire.
Walt Disney knew a thing or two about vision. In fact at the opening ceremonies of EPCOT center which opened after Walt had died a reporter said to Walt’s wife Lillian “Its a shame Walt wasn’t here to see it!” Lillian replied “Young man, the reason you see it today was because he saw saw it years ago in his imagination. He did see it, that’s why you’re here today”. What a remarkable statement!
That’s what vision is, seeing something before anyone else does, before it ever becomes a blueprint or business plan, and long before it ever becomes reality.
Vision to Walt Disney was intensely personal. He owned it, it was his baby. He gave birth to it. What was so unique about Walt was he was able to get others around him passionate about that vision also. It inspired him, it energized him and it gave him something to live for. Something that got him out of bed in the morning. Vision wasn’t something Walt did, it was what his life was all about!
So the BIG question is… Has God birthed a personal vision in you? What is the one thing about your life that gets you out of bed every morning? What are you willing to give your full devotion to? Is there something you are so passionate about that you devote your life to it? This is perhaps the most important question you will ever ask yourself….
Peace
D
Someone recently asked me a golden question “Is this(student ministry)what I always dreamed of doing?”
Not remotely. I’m sure there are some out there who were born with the notion of what thier calling was and then went out and did exactly that… I was not one of them.
Actually, coming out of bible school, youth ministry was the one area i DID NOT want to be involved in. I mean I’d already put in “my time” serving students as a volunteer, I was ready to graduate to the more meaningful (and higher paying) adult ministry.
So what happened? Beats me! Just kidding…5 years…yes five years into the journey God told me I’d be in youth ministry for life! Holy decreased earnings Batman! God has never released me and all the while continues to fuel a passion in me for students. I have this crazy idea that students can impact the world. I think this is that vision thing people talk about.
I would say that you could break my ministry into two disctinct phases. Before vision and after vision!
Vision, a personal vision is absolutely vital for any youth pastor. Vision is where God, man and destiny meet!
Peace
D.
Hi Everyone,
I’m Dennis. I’m brand new to the whole blogging thing so I’ll probably start out slow. I wanted a way to share some thoughts and ideas about youth ministry specifically and leadership generally so this seemed a good place to start. So today I’ll start with a brief bio thing and see where we go after that.
I’m the youth pastor at a large church in Plano TX. I’ve been at this church ever since I starting walking with Jesus. Incredibly, I’m still here. Who knew? I started in youth ministry way back in 1984 as a volunteer. Yeah, I know some of you a weren’t even born in 1984! I’ve been on staff at our church since 1991. I started as the Jr. High Guy and then moved up 1995 to oversee the entire youth ministry with my concentration being High School students.
I’m married to my wonderful wife Teri, and I have 2 great kids who are both in my youth group!
I don’t ever get tired of youth ministry. It’s energizing. Part of it may be my dogged determination to avoid growing old. Part of it is I really have no desire to make adult ministry my life focus.
I guess the point of this blog is to write down some of the supposed “jewels of wisdom” I’m supposed to have because of my gradually graying hair and to share some of the ups and down I experience as we (me and my team) try to impact students lives.
Well, thats all for now…
D
