The Core Training; Syracuse

I've mentioned many times my deep respect for the parachurch organization Youth Specialties. One of the many things they offer is a one day training event called "The Core."
We normally take our volunteers to the event, and the room tends to be filled with at least 2/3 volunteers.
I've been to about 5 of these over the course of my ministry career. It's always fun, encouraging and valuable. To be honest, I've been a little disappointed in the fact that I'm not convinced our leaders walked away with valuable training.

This year is different. I'm currently sitting in "the Core's" '07 training day entitled "Helping Hurting Kids." It is straight up blunt, honest talk about dealing with a culture where hurt is an all-to familiar theme.

Here's some highlights thus far:

• There is a chinese word for crisis is also the word for opportunity.
• Addictions are unintended consequences of other choices.
• Is my ministry wanting to work with hurting kids? A great way to know is if you're willing to pray, "Lord please send us the kids that other youth groups don't want."
• Your life is the most significant ministry tool in dealing with hurting kids.
• Jesus loved them as they were but... He refused to leave them as they were.
• When it comes to hurt, there are two sources... victims (those hurting because something bad happens to them) and choosers (hurting because they make bad choices). Often the first brings out the second.
• The cycle... Something bad happens... "It must be my fault"... Destructive Choices... I'm a hopeless loser... back to something bad happens.j
• I'm finding this discussion very pertinent to the Britney Spears situation; so I take a moment to stop and pray for her and her kids.
  

There is so much more valuable stuff. If you work with students in any form, I would say this day is worth going to, and I'm only halfway through it. There's more dates to come, check them out here.

Sidenote... In the morning session 5 cell phones went off. Do we youth workers honestly think we're so important to the world that we can't turn off our cell phones for four hours to focus in on such a valuable topic. Maybe that's part of our problem.