isn't one anymore. Or maybe he is.

So here's the story. My buddy, who shall remain nameless (because he's humble and would get bugged at me if I mentioned his name) used to be one of the youth pastors at a big church here in town. He got resigned because they wanted him to “take it to the next level” whatever that means. And he said no- not the way you want me to. I spend time with kids. I sit and listen to their problems. I read the Bible with them and pray with them. I love them and they are growing. I don’t want to spend my time as a glorified activities director.

That's a simplified, glorified telling of the tale, but I think it captures the important points.

Anyway, our little pub church hasn't had many teens as we're mostly young people with no to small children. We've had some teens showing up lately, though and I'm not worried because we have people around like my friend, the former youth pastor. People who will love, be present for and shepherd these young people.

In fact, one showed up on our oneline forum the other day, looking for a place where he would be accepted, skate punk though he is. Here's the beautiful response my friend gave:

j-man,
let me just add to my previous post.....so that there is no confusion.....or wrong expectation.....


we have no "youth group". i dont think that there is any misunderstanding about that, but just wanted to make sure you knew that.

i am not sure you can even expect that there will be a youth group anytime soon, outside of the fact that there may be a group of youths that are coming to this thing we call church.

there is no organized time that the youth pastor spends with the students.....
oh...yeah....there is no youth pastor.

there is no summer camp.
but we can go camping in the summer if you want.

there is no hype for a overnighter.
although if a bunch of guys want to hang out, listen to music, play some nintendo, eat some pizza and crash, that's cool.

there isnt a student focused bible study, but if you want to talk to me and ask me about what is in the bible, or what you are reading in the bible. that would be alright by me. i probably wont know the answer to all of your questions.

i cant promise we wont think your hair is weird.
or your music.
or your skateboard.
or your tattoos.
or your lingo.

i cant promise my hair is cool.
or my music.
i cant ollie.
no tats.
and i just learned what it means to "pown a nube" yesterday.

or that i am very funny....
or entertaining....
or that i have the right answers.

i cant promise that i wont say something dumb when i talk to you.
or that i might get mad once in a while about pointless things.
or that i might not want to hang out because i had a long week at work.
or that i wont be in a bad mood sometimes.

i wont promise you i will read my bible everyday.
i wont promise you that i will pray for you daily either.



......


but....

i will listen to your stories.
i will ask you questions about your life.
i will sit next to and hang with you and your friends.
i will let you teach me how to ollie.
i will treat you like a friend.
i wont care what you look like.
i will care about who you are and who you want to be.
i will try my best to follow Christ and point you and your friends toward Him.



i think i can also say that there are a pile of others at this church that will do the same as what i am expressing here.

we will do all we can to love you, as Christ loves us. we just might hit some pot holes along the way. if you dont mind some bumps.....come along.




hope this comes across in the way i am meaning it.
it is meant to be inviting and loving and encouraging....and honest.

if you want to talk more before you come on a sunday, lemme know...and i will get you my number.


I love this guy. He's teaching our community... May his tribe increase!


(And I hope he forgives me for posting this... I just couldn't keep it to myself)