VolunteerYouthPastor

February 4th and I hear a spring peeper. That's not good.

Who in the world would have guessed that it would be possible to be nostalgic for when students used to bring portable TVs to youth group.

The pain that your student is experiencing does not have to be logical to you for it to be real to and for them.

Too many hurting kids in the world.... Now is not the time to give up.

For real and deep appreciation, the term "shout out" just seems to diminish the accolad by a degree or two. Of course, maybe social media or the radio isn't the best place for deep sentiments.

Sometimes the hardest thing to do is keep going in the face of no obvious fruit. We have to trust Him to work in hearts and be faithful to our callings.

I find it unsettling (at best) when I meet with career student ministers and they talk of the need to protect their time and set boundaries. They speak of literally getting upset when their (volunteer) leaders communicate with them after hours… as if most of them have a choice.

@SmallChurchYP This, sadly, rings SO true. And the small church doesn't even have the funds for snacks anymore. Even with a revival going on in the youth community.

I have no definitive proof, but it sure seems as if small churches are shrinking and big churches are flourishing. #PastorPains

Just saw a job posting for a PT ($10 hr) position that requires the candidate to be at least 1/2 way to their masters degree… I was thinking my decades in ministry could be a gateway to a career. As each day passes that is more and more unrealistic.

I've been off Twitter for quite a while. Thought I was going to be in vocational ministry rather than volunteer. Apparently that was a ridiculous thought. One church chose a fresh-out-of-seminary "kid" with no experience who admitted to the position being a stepping stone. #Ugh

@Church_Pains "Just" another nationally known leader that fell. This one I just happened to know personally and especially admire.

@VolunteerYP What happened???

@jtea34 Brokenheartedly, yes. SO hope that it is false information, for so many different reasons.

I taught for years to not place your trust in modern day heros of the faith, because they can let you down… I guess I didn't listen to my own advice. I'm reeling over recent allegations, to the point of being nauseous. #PrayForTheChurch

No one usually says it out loud, but American Christians are suspicious of Christians that are poor. It's inferred, no blessing due to sin.

Even as a believer, with a glimpse into His kingdom perspective and an overview of His will, we still miss most things spiritual and of Him.

Christ is asking us to do something beyond our strength.

Instead of spending time in His Word, we're afraid of missing something on Twitter/etc., spending our time online and missing His voice!

Our identity is not found in our religious traditions or denomination, or in service or position. Only in Christ can we find true identity!

When ministering to students, you will find the need to minister to families. God's first "institution" was the family. Support His design.

If you really are practicing servent leadership, there are things that you have to do sometimes that are beyond yourself.