This Post It note was attached to a Christmas gift I got in the mail today. There’s some back story to why this is such a big deal. This family has been through a lot this year. I’ve had the privilege of walking with them though it. To get this note today put words to how working through a crisis that still is going on bonds youth leaders and families together.

When a crisis hits, people tend to shy away to give a family space. It seems like the polite thing to do. However, what they need is people who will stand with them through it, bring comfort and lend a listening ear while fighting the temptation to fix the situation. That’s a generality that’s not always true, but we do need to be sensitive about when to lead and when to just listen.

This weekend I spoke at a youth retreat for students in Hayesville, Kansas. We had an amazing time laughing, learning and playing together. It was cool to do youth ministry with their volunteers and get to speak into the lives of their students.

As is usually the case with camps, etc, I got connected with some of their leaders and students on Facebook when the event was over. What I love about being connected on Facebook is that continues the relationship and increases the opportunity for us to be connected on some level.

We’ve already shared some encouragement back and forth. This is one of my life verses in action: “Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up, just as you are already doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11

When he was in my small group, we’d open the group by having each person sharing a chem (good thing from their week) and phlegm (something they wish had gone differently).

This idea actually came from a student who learned it from another leader he had. I love when leaders can steal ideas from each other.

I also love that this kid has gone on to college and is now ministering to others using something from our small group.

That’s a reason to stay in youth ministry – I want to last long enough to see my students serving in youth ministry as adults. That’s so awesome!

My friends over at GenToGenYM.com gave me a great shout out this week. What I love, and agree with, about their post is there challenge for volunteer youth workers to evaluate their commitment level to see if they can either give more time or be more effective with what time they have to give.

Fortunately, I have a fellow youth worker as a roommate. We have no families to take care of so our boundaries can be a bit more out there than others. We have an open door policy with students. A few nights each week over the summer, our living room was full of sleeping students.

Go take a look at their post and evaluate what you level of involvement can be. You’ll be surprised how much of a reward comes your way as you give more of your life in service to God by caring for students.

Each summer at our high school camp, we offer an opportunity for students to get baptized. What I love about this picture is most of the boys are in my small group. Two of the guys wearing light blue shirts got baptized that day. That was a bonding red-letter day for us.

Baptism: Shane from HSM on Vimeo.

Summer Camp from HSM on Vimeo.

Last Saturday I had the honor of being a groomsman for a former student. He was a sophomore when he started dating the girl he married. She was in a small group that met in the same house as ours, but they got to know each other through school.

They both graduated college recently and have now tied the knot. It’s so great to see them do things in the right order. This is a great example of youth ministry going right and wrapped up with a nice bow on top. While I’m glad I get some messy youth ministry, it’s so refreshing to see the good stuff, too!

Brandon created a Where’s Dennis book. I thought this was kind of brilliant… especially considering he was asking me earlier in the day what he should bring. He was complaining that he wasn’t very creative. I thought this was great!



When one of my boys shows up to church or small group, they come up and give me a hug as I declare, “I love this guy!” It’s become a tradition, now it’s a white elephant gift.



Another phrase I use too much is “Yup yup!” Daniel had me autograph this little number before he wrapped it to go under the tree. Good stuff.



This one combines the “Yup yup!” and “You’re a good guy.” I need some new catch phrases.