I have been a youth pastor for 8 years now at the same church. I have had many pieces of graduation cake and have many awesome memories. Sometimes I can’t believe I am being paid for what I do. Sometimes I don’t think I am paid enough. I am getting older and don’t understand all the popular things in your high schools and each year the culture seems harder for me to figure out.

I often don’t feel equipped for the ministry God has led me towards. Sometimes I doubt a few hours of truth a week can compete with the endless hours of lies heard at school, on tv, online, and even from some parents. Am I making a spiritual dent?

I am not an outgoing, guitar totting, tech savvy, or an athlete that will amaze you with my awesomeness. Yet, I care about the students who walk through the doors of our church. My heart is that they will know they are loved by God so much that Jesus was the price to buy back their souls from grasp of sin. I want them to know they are valuable and have talents that God has given them to make a difference in their world. I want them to be people that worship with an inner sense of gratitude. I want them to serve others out of compassion rather than compulsion. I want them to have a hunger to know God more deeply and live more faithfully.

I ponder about those students I have not yet met. I dream that when a student comes into our modest youth room they will feel safe and know they are appreciated and respected. I pray that we can create a zone free of the bullying and competition that is too common today so that masks and walls can come down. I want students to feel this is their group, they want to be here, and they are growing spiritually from our time together. That church is at least as important as sports and music which are here today and gone tomorrow.

I confess that at times I have prioritized just making it though a lesson, instead of really listening to your hearts. I confess that sometimes I want to have control rather than let the Holy Spirit speak. Sometimes I spend more time planning a game than I do praying for my students. I pray that God will forgive me. Students will you forgive me for where I have not been the leader that I should have been? Will you help me refocus this group to the place that God wants us to be? Will you join me for the next chapter?

The last time I slowed down long enough to breathe was: Just now.  The reason I’m going (or want to go) to the 2012 Simply Youth Ministry Conference is to breathe, to pray, and to ask God what those next steps will look like. *I am not alone.*

Posted anonymously with permission.

Congratulations to Jeremy on winning the contest to score a free registration to the Simply Youth Ministry Conference 2012. Join us – it is going to be great – details here on the official conference website. Can’t wait!

JG

I’m pumped to be headed to the Simply Youth Ministry Conference in just 2 months! I hope you’re coming already and if not you’ll consider it right away – it is one of the most refreshing times of the year. This year they’ve added some great new names to the speaker roster, including Jon Acuff, Craig Gross, Brooklyn Lindsey and many more. Check out the speaker roster right here and figure out now who/what you want to go to when we all get to Louisville in March.

I also love the concept of the SYMC devotionals, designed to help you connect with God between events. Good stuff, free for the taking if you follow the link.

I asked the gang over at SYM if they would give me a registration to giveaway today – they said sure! So here you go: Leave a comment on this post and I’ll pick one at random on Friday!

JG

I’m beyond excited to hang out with youth workers at the Simply Youth MInistry Conference this year in Louisville – I’m actually taking our high school team along with on the trip and think it is going to be game-changing for our ministry.

Want to join us? Killer lineup, including Francis Chan, Derwin Gray, Jon Acuff, Shane & Shane, Jeremy Camp and 77 more speakers, musicians and mentors. Couldn’t be more excited! The Early Bird rate expires on October 31 so get in now!

JG

If you’ve been to the Simply Youth Ministry Conference you probably know Tim Timmons. He was the worship pastor at Mariner’s Church and is recently starting on the next chapter of his life and ministry. His next album, Let’s Be Beautiful, is in progress now and I was inspired by his Kickstarter project to get it off the ground.

It is already fully funded, but there are still a couple fun options left if you want to help contribute. Including this one for SYMC Conference:

PLEDGE $350 OR MORE: Admission for you or your youth pastor to the 2012 SIMPLY YOUTH MINISTRY CONFERENCE in Louisville, KY + a meal with me and conference emcee favorites, Josh Griffin & Jake Rutenbar. (plus the LET’S BE BEAUTIFUL Package & Exclusive T-shirt).

Love you, Tim. Excited to hear the new album and watch God use you in the next chapter!

JG

Super excited to play a part in the Simply Youth Ministry Conference 2012. Hope you’ll join us – here’s a digital version of the new SYMC2012 brochure that just was mailed out. So excited – see you in March!

JG

It’s back to school season – and for us that means we pour a ton of effort into our fall kickoff weekend, our first big series and the launch of small groups. Thought I might make some recommendations for some great youth ministry resources that might help you as you head into the start of another year.

Small Groups
Must have: Small Groups from Start to Finish by Doug Fields & Matt McGill
Solid: Small Group Strategies by Laurie Povich
Worth the price: LIVE curriculum

Fall Kickoff Weekend
Must have: 1 Minute Bible by Doug Fields
Solid: Spin That Wheel from Digital Stache
Good video: FAITH by Youth Ministry 360

The 1st Teaching Series of the Year
Must have: 1 Month to Live by Doug Fields
Solid: All My Belongings by Jeff McGuire
Worth the $10: Exposed! God’s Plan for Sex by Kurt Johnston

For your volunteers
Looks great, never read it: How to Volunteer Like a Pro by Jim Hancock
Shameless plug: 99 Thoughts for Small Group Leaders by me! Told you it was shameless
Worth the price: TOOLS: Team from Simply Youth Ministry

For your own personal growth
Must have: What Matters Most by Doug Fields
Solid: Sustainable Youth Ministry by Mark Devries
Worth the price: the Simply Youth Ministry Conference in Louisville, KY March 2012

JG

A few times a year I get a chance to meet/hang/speak at youth worker conferences or leadership events – thought I would post them here in case you were planning on attending too and maybe we could arrange a meet up. I’m a sucker for late-night Steak and Shake. Here’s what’s on tap this next season:

The D6 Conference - I’ve never been to this event and it has been one I’ve wanted to get to check out the last couple of years. Check out their fantastic official trailer here, if you’re in/around Dallas or in town for it this September- I’ll see you there! I’m speaking on a panel about youth ministry and leading a commissioning prayer during the last session of the event. Pumped.

YS National Youth Ministry Convention: San Diego - honored to be invited to speak at YS-San Diego! I’ll be doing a few workshops there in September focusing on teaching calendars, sermon preparation and training small group leaders. I enjoyed this little promo video of their event from Tic Long, too. I’m also on a panel with some legit dudes on the future of youth ministry. Excited and intimidated.

YSPalooza Orlando – This is the first time I’ll be teaching at YSPalooza, too! We’re still working out the details, but it is going to be fun in Orlando this January.

Simply Youth Ministry Conference 2012 - Without a doubt this is the event I’m most heavily involved in again this year. I’ll be doing the general session programming (with the infamous Jake Rutenbar) and there’s even talk of me maybe speaking a little chunk of a creative new general session idea. Who knows … I just know it is going to be awesome and you really, really need to be there, too – Louisville, KY in March. Be there with Francis Chan and Jon Acuff and more.

JG

Did you miss out on SYMC this year? Or maybe you heard about a session or track that was incredible? You can check them all out now on the SYMC Conference Audio/Video store. All of the general sessions are now available, with most all of the workshops and learning tracks available for purchase right now as well. Leaders are learners – keep on learning even after the conference is long gone.

JG

Lucky or Blessed?
Back in the studio after SYMC and Doug, Josh, and Katie are hoping that Matt really shows up today. After a catching up they tackle questions about: the Goonies, Doug as a boss and volunteer, getting respect as a young leader, special needs students in your ministry, reaching out to visitors, and giving parenting advice.

JG