The Things That Run Through My Mind: (Im)Mature Ministers

I just returned from San Diego from a gathering of Youth Workers from all over the U.S. as well as some neighboring countries. I love these times together with like minded individuals.  In the midst of great training, challenging teaching, and powerful worship, my highlight may be worshiping through song with a mass of individuals whose heart beats toward the same demographic as mine does.

Yet, as I'm at these gatherings, I'm also guaranteed to encounter a few (and let me emphasize that word, few), what I'd call "cringe" moments as I observe my fellow ministers...
... I cringe when I see a powerful teaching or prayer time in a large gathering be interrupted by youth workers charging toward the front of the stage in preparation for the upcoming CCM band that will be playing (something that did not happen this time thanks to the layout of programming by the organization putting on the event).
... I cringe when I see a group of youth workers riding through the convention center on their scooters and skateboards (and one pushing their baby on a stroller while doing it).
... I cringe when I talk to an exhibitor who created a fantastic fundraiser opportunity selling interchangeable silicon band watches.  He brought along examples to give out 1 per youth leader.  He told me youth workers were going back 2 or 3 times to get extra watches.  He watched as some youth workers grabbed multiple watches at once.  The exhibitor said, "You did hear me say one watch, right?"  The youth worker responded, "Yes," and proceeded to walk off with the handful of watches.
... I cringe when I have moments wondering if I'm at a Youth Workers Convention or a Youth Convention.

When I have these cringe moments, these are the things (and the battle) that goes on in my mind...

Really, Youth worker?  Is that what a childlike faith is supposed to look like?  Do our students really need another "friend" to hang out and play C.O.D. with?  Do you honestly believe trying to be fun and cool is going to meet the need for belonging and hope that is so void in many students' lives?  Do you think the best way to be an advocate to teens in our churches and community is through acting like a teen?

-But wait, Derry.  The answer isn't found in a bunch of people acting and looking more "professional" either.  Relevance is valuable, you know.  Are you just getting old and grumpy?  Maybe it's not that they need to "grow up."  Maybe it's time for you to "stay young?"-

No, these select few are perpetuating the caricature of the youth pastor that is broadly brushed by the greater community, especially the church community.  A bunch of men and women that graduated from the youth group but wanted to find a way to stay involved, so they became youth pastors.

-Or maybe, Derry, these are individuals that have said, "Who cares what others think of my approach. I love Jesus, and I love students.  I'll embrace that calling and not worry if the 'adults' in the church get it." -

And maybe that's the case, but it negates the fact that these youth workers need to come alongside parents.  They need to be examples of living counter-culturally.  They need to be LEADERS, not FRIENDS.  That's the issue.  That's where my cringe is in the right place. Grow up for the sake of the call on your life.  Stay young for the sake of the call. 

Youth Workers.... LIVE A LIFE WORTHY  OF THE CALLING YOU'VE RECEIVED.  Grow up and see your role. Stay young in they ways you can best fulfill that role. 

But seriously, stop riding scooters and rushing the stage. 

The Things That Run Through My Mind - Political Ads

I usually catch them while watching sports since it's one of the few things on TV I don't DVR.
Black and White B-Roll with still images popping up.
Caricatures of candidates.
Hyperbole and sweeping statements about opponents.
Sound clips clearly taken out of context.
Everything you need to know about why you shouldn't vote for the opponent.
Why the opponent hates America and you.
And the end, "My name is _____________, and I approved this ad."

Ahhh... Political Ads. It doesn't matter which party.  It doesn't matter which branch or office someone is voting for.  They make the elite in my list of least favorite things.
And when I see them, these are the things that run through my mind...

Does he honestly think my vote is going to be swayed by this ad?  Does she realize that in those 30 seconds I did not hear a single thing (outside of a name and endorsement for the ad) about her and what she stands for? Do they truly believe that their opponent wants to ruin this country at the level the ad portrayed?  Will I ever see an ad from someone that starts with, "My name is ___________, and this is what I plan to do if you elect me to office," and I actually hear what the person is hoping to accomplish?  Will I ever get through an entire ad without the mention of the opponent at all.
I want to start a Political Action Committee.  It would be a political party-neutral PACwhere we raise funds to those who are willing to advertise their campaign without maligning their opponent.  In fact the candidate would only receive money for the ad if they agree to run their entire ad campaign with ads explaining their personal stance and what they hope to accomplish.  We'd call it "The Kid's Tea Party PAC."  We only fund ads  feel comfortable showing at a kids tea party, and saying, "See kids, that's proper social manners." 

Then, I realize I've spent too much brain space on this.  Football is back on, and I resolve to only vote for those I'm confident I'm aware of their actual platform and views on the issues I feel are most important to the health of the country and are in line with my faith...
... something I'm finding harder and harder to discover without bias or spin.
... something I'm afraid drives me to consider not being able to vote at all in some races.

But, I have been known to vote for a candidate I knew little about, but was so impressed with how clean and focused his/her campaign was run.

I need to go do some research on how to form a PAC...

The Things That Run Through My Mind - The Bookshelf and the Secular/Sacred Question

I'm not a very organized person, but there are times when I get really particular.  One of those times would be with organizing the books on my bookshelf.  I've tried several different methods...
Alphabetical order by author.
Giving each shelf a category, then alphabetizing by title.
Tallest to shortest.
My recent setup is by color... kind of like the way it looks.
I know, it's  a little weird, but this is how my mind works.

The other day I went in to organize my oldest daughter's bookshelf.  It had become a hot mess.  I had tried several different methods to help my almost 5 year old figure out how to have a nice looking cleanly arranged shelf, but my efforts to this point had equaled out to epic failure.  So, I started in again.
My first move was to get all her Bible books and stories to the top left corner and then proceed to Clifford, Curious George, Disney, and then round off the bottom with Dr. Seuss.  But even before I got to Clifford I paused...

These are the things that run through my mind...

What am I teaching my daughter by putting her Bibles and other stories in their own section?  On one hand, I'm letting her know that God's Word is to hold a unique and special spot in our lives.  I mean, I make every once in a while when reading about Cinderella then about Mary, that the story of Cinderella is make believe, but the story of Mary really happened, and her story can truly change our lives.  I want her to love God's word and cherish it in a way different than other writings/texts/books.

But, on the other hand, am I running the risk of pushing a separatist mindset in her that is unhealthy?  By my sacred books and there are secular books, am I encouraging her to view the world through these lenses.  Am I telling her we will have "Jesus parts" to our life, but then have the "other parts."  I can't stand seeing a lifestyle in me or anyone else who turns their spiritual on and off like a faucet or light switch.  God, help me not be a parent who doesn't allow this to happen in my children.

And maybe (probably) in that last thought that ran through my mind, I think I ran into the key.  Maybe it's not about the placement of the books on the bookshelf.  Maybe it's more about the placement of God's Word in our conversations.  Maybe it's more about the placement of Jesus in my everyday life.

Or maybe I need to get a hobby other than organizing books on a bookshelf.  

The Things That Run Through My Mind

Over the next bit, I'll be posting in a little bit of a series, some of the thoughts that have been running through my mind lately.  This will include thoughts on parenting, integrity, youth ministry, sports, influence, and life in a small town.
Keep in mind, these are "thoughts".  To me, thoughts are...
... incomplete and unfiltered.
... far from gospel.
... sometimes opinions.
... sometimes questions that haven't even moved to opinions yet.

So, let the journey begin.