Riding a Bike

Between Co-op on Monday and traveling today to two different chapels, it has reminded me how much I enjoy youth ministry.  Over the years as I have gotten older and new ministries have come my way, I have had less specialized focus on youth ministry.  To be sure I am still involved with youth group and camp, but these days I am not in the thick of things but more working in the background.  However, building relationships with the teens at co-op and going to these chapels remind me how much I really enjoy working with teens and the special rapport God has always given me with them.    There are some that think youth ministry is the province of the young and that is often the case, but too often I think that is more a function of the fact that as we get older, we move on to other things.  I do not think it is a result of being less effective.  In fact, I think I am probably more effective now as I have more maturity and wisdom than I had back when I was a young youth pastor.  Also, in these days with so many broken and dysfunctional families, father figures are more vital than ever in ministry.  My Dad always had a great rapport with teens and enjoyed ministering to them.  He never lost his touch.  It is good for me to remember this gift that God has given me and to make sure, as I do many other things, that I don't lose sight of that part of my ministry focus.  I love it too much to lose it and I think it is still very useful.  Even when I haven't been doing it for a bit, its like riding a bike.