10 Years: Valuable Lessons

Here's several lessons I've learned about Youth Ministry condensed into one sentence thoughts:

• It's all about Relationship.
• Some of the things that make you a great youth pastor will likely make you a poor professional.
• The best youth pastor will have minimal impact on a student in comparison to any parent.
• He's God. I'm not. Get those two mixed up, and you're in trouble.
• I can't compete with MTV's marketing, but i can compete with how MTV cares.
• Messages do make an impact, but I've got to remember they won't likely remember them.
• Overnighters are overrated.
• You can accomplish major spiritual victory on retreat.
• You can only fight so many battles at once. Choose wisely.
• Nobody will take responsibility for your own soul and spiritual growth if you don't.
• Say No to good things so you can say yes to God things.
• A key to good youth ministry is being funny in your own mind.
• Another key to good youth ministry is A.D.D.
• The greatest gift you can give to students is your own intimacy with God.