i learned a little more about God last night
Youth pastor extrordinare, Blaine Bartel once said: “Never quit on Thursday”
Such a simple command but certainly not simplistic.
The brevity of this statement only amplifies the depth in which it holds.
It’s easy to want to give up when the kids always show up 20 minutes late.
It’s easy to want to give up when they don’t worship.
It’s easy to want to give up when they just sit there, eyes glazed over and mouth breathing during an Earth-shaking sermon.
It’s easy to want to give up when they slip out the back as soon as the service is over, not staying any longer than they have to.
…
Then I remember what God does for us every day.
He never gives up when we don’t wanna worship.
He never gives up when we don’t listen to His voice.
He never gives up when we spend only our 30 minutes-a-day-and-no-more in His word and in prayer…and sometimes less.
He knows that some day we’ll get it.
Some day we’ll understand.
And so will the kids in our youth groups.
9 Comments
Wow. Very nice, simple and yet so penetrative. I love how the way we see other people and circumstances COMPLETELY change when we look through Gods eyes. So divine! Good job re-centering I hope alot of other people check this one out! Have a good day with Judifree!!!! Shes amazing and I dont even know her…..same with you lol be blessed ya’ll!
awesome post.
This is a great post, Mark. I led a high school small group for 3 years, and it was so discouraging for me as a leader to watch my group dwindle from 40 kids to 10 before the group ended. It’s so easy, especially for me, to view this as a personal failure. God has since helped me come to terms with the fact that I was obedient to do everything he called me to do for those group of kids, despite the fact that many of them still aren’t even living for God at all. My point is that no matter how unqualified or ineffective one may feel in youth ministry, those kids are still worth every minute spent trying to make them want God – even if they don’t blink an eye at your most sincere and passionate attempts. I am currently not involved in any youth ministry, but I think I will always have a heart for the young generation. I still pray for those kids, who are now adults, from my old small group. I know there is a reason why God doesn’t let me forget them.
Great post!
Love Blaine Bartel
I grew up watching Fire by Nite vids.
I’d say this post is definitely applicable to ALL areas of ministry!
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Thanks Mark. good post.
Josh Brages last blog post..Nope, You Sure Wouldn’t . . .
this touched my heart – especially after seeing the disappointment on your face as you came home from service last night.
What I want for these kids is also what God wants from me.
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Twitter: themarkthomas
This has been very encouraging for me. Thank you guys.
Ha! My husband just started a blog about never quitting on Monday for church planters…I guess it can go for whatever day of the week comes after the day you pour yourself out for the cause of Christ!
Dear Sir ,
Greetings in the most beautiful name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
My name waqas gill I am from Pakistan . I am an Urdu and Punjabi Translator .
I recently visited your website and am very impressed by the work that you are doing. I truly want to be a member of your ministry/church and work with you as your representative in Pakistan. Please do let me know how can I do it? Thanks.
I also want to express my desire to translate any of your materials into Urdu, Punjabi,
languages. I believe doing this would spread the Word of God among native people into their languages of interest, in Pakistan, India and around the world.
I look forward to hearing from you soon. God bless you.
Waqas Gill
Mubarka Bad colony
Toba Tek Singh
Punjab Pakistan .